Lauren’s Story

Site created on April 14, 2019

Keep up to date on Lauren’s cancer journey of Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma in the chest. Discovery date 4/3/2019. Remission date: TBD

Newest Update

Journal entry by Lauren Sullivan

Today marks the one year anniversary of my open heart surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. Wow... it has been a year! I consider myself a “cancer thriver” at this point because the surgery was only able to safely remove around 75% of the tumor. After the all day and very high risk surgery I ended up spending the next two months living in Boston doing more chemotherapy and intensive proton radiation therapy to try to get rid of the rest of the tumor. Unfortunately, if even one cancer cell is left behind it has its chance to grow or spread. 

When I finally was able to go home to Florida in January I took a break from all treatment to allow the proton radiation to do its work.... bad timing because COVID-19 decided to take over America... I took a step back from posting health updates because I didn’t want people thinking I was “sick” on top of the craziness of the pandemic. 

Since then I have been on immunotherapy drugs (Keytruda and Votrient) as my current first line of treatment to keep the tumor stable/shrink it. We aren't sure how effective they are but I have been having CT and PET scans every few months to track the progress. 
In May 2020, the mass measured 6 cm.  As of October 27th the mass measures 5.4 x 4.2 cm. Originally the mass was 13cm. The reports say the words “stable” or “unchanged” which is amazing but I want them to say “No disease found”!!!! 

Unfortunately, with immunotherapy comes crazy side effects. I have had a lot of issues over the past 6 months but don’t want to go into details. In short, post radiation pneumonitis has been my biggest challenge along with fluid building up in my chest forcing multiple procedures. 

I genuinely believe that God has showed me in 2020 that my mission in life is to make an impact in the lives of others. This year has given me the opportunity to start a program feeding home bound seniors by bringing them groceries through “Pearl’s Pantry”. I not only make an impact in the lives of the seniors I’m feeding but they are making such an impact in my life as well. They give me purpose. I’m truly blessed to have this opportunity. 


Here is a short devotional I would like to share 🙏🏻

GROW STRONG in the Light of My Presence. Your weakness does not repel Me. On the contrary, it attracts My Power, which is always available to flow into a yielded heart. Do not condemn yourself for your constant need of help. Instead, come to Me with your gaping neediness; let the Light of My Love fill you.

A yielded heart does not whine or rebel when the going gets rough. It musters the courage to thank Me even during hard times. Yielding yourself to My will is ultimately an act of trust. In quietness and trust is your strength.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28 

“The Lord will always lead you and satisfy your needs in dry lands. He will give strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring that never goes dry.” -‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:11

I also want to share some photos with you from the past few months. So many great memories have been made! I had the privilege of being in two of my beautiful girlfriends weddings and now they will stand by my side in March 20th, 2021 💘💍💐 I have so much to look forward to over the next few months! I have to continue to get better! Each day is a new day of healing and growing. I’ll continue to take one day at a time and listen to my body when it’s tired. 

I will try to post updates more often. God bless.

Lauren 💕

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