<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">Hi friends and family. </div>
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<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">I thought I would use this platform to reach more people…</div>
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<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">May is Brain Cancer Awareness month.  A big part of raising awareness is through sharing stories.  Below is a short version of our journey. There is also an EASY way to advocate for those diagnosed with brain cancer, and for their caregivers.</div>
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<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">Chandler was diagnosed with Glioblastoma on March 29, 2021 and passed away in June of 2022, 14 1/2 months after diagnosis.  Chandler had an amazing team of doctors and went through the following treatments: </div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px"> </div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">*A successful craniotomy on April 6th</div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">*6 weeks of daily radiation, coupled with chemo</div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">*Continued chemotherapy after radiation</div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">*Steroids to help with inflammation </div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">*4 months of wearing the Optune device ~ a huge commitment and one of the few treatments for GBM</div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">*Regular MRIs to watch for tumor growth</div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">*A clinical trial</div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">*Infusions to help reduce brain swelling</div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">*PT and OT to manage neurological challenges, due to the brain tumor</div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px"> </div>
<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">Here is how you can help advocate:  Urge policy makers to address critical issues affecting the brain tumor community.</div>
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<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">Why?  This communicates to the government on behalf of both those diagnosed and their caregivers. The federal government is the largest funder of brain tumor research in the country. Advocating for continued funding ensures support for promising research and affordable access to life saving treatments. </div>
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<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">Two of the bills address government financial support and access to healthcare. Chandler and I were so fortunate to have good health insurance and an amazing support system. I am acutely aware of how important both of these are when you are hit with a brain tumor diagnosis - especially GBM.</div>
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<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">Just click the following link. All you need to do is fill out a SHORT form and click “Submit”. It’s that easy. </div>
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<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">***After doing this, look for the “Action Alert” tab. There are specific legislative items listed and it will e-mail your representatives to take action. ***</div>
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<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">https://braintumor.org/advocacy/action-alerts/become-an-advocate</div>
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<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">We continue to lean on our love for Chandler and his love for us.  If you made it this far, thanks for reading. </div>
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<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres.  1 Corinthians 13:7</div>
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<div style="font-family:&#39;uictfonttextstylebody&#39;;font-size:23px">#gograyinmay #Novocure #optune #utsw</div>

Chandler Tatum

Update: May 01, 2023 – by Niki Tatum