Making Lemonade
Donation protected
My name is Marla Avery and I'm an Ocular Melanoma survivor since 2008. I became a survivor after a routine eye exam change my world. I would find out the reason for falling, tripping and being clumsy wasn't just me not focusing. It was much more, eye cancer.
In August of 2008 I had my left eye removed because the tumor was too big to treat. I was told there would be a 50/50 chance the cancer could spread to my liver or other organs within five years. But my chances were good I thought.
In October of 2009 the cancer had metastasized to my liver. I found this out seven weeks after my daughter Lucy was born. Praying for another miracle I asked God to save me for my family.
He was faithful. After ten treatment, within ten months, at MD Anderson under the care of Dr. Wen-Jen Hwu I was found with no evidence of disease. We all rejoiced!
The cancer would return a second time to my liver in January of 2013. Dr. Hwu set a plan and once again by May no evidence of disease.
This past December on my routine scans we found the cancer had returned again for the third time on my liver. But now with a new friend on my kidney as well. Since December I've had a biopsy and test to confirm cancer in kidney.
I met Dr. Richard Carvajal in New York in March seeking more information on a new trial he is over.
My family and I have been praying for the next steps to take. I've decided to go on the trial in New York. This is going to be very trying on my family and I as we face the unknown. I am praying for great things to come.
The trial starts next week. The first six weeks we will be traveling round trip to New York each week for a couple of days each week from Texas. This will be an expense with medical bills, travel expenses, and daily living.
Wonderful friends have helped me set up this page for support. My family and I are blessed by any support you can give. The main support we need is prayer!
Thank you for helping with my journey to fight this disease.
My friend Leslie was praying for me in our small group last week. She said something in her prayer that has stuck with me each day. Leslie said, "Marla's making lemonade in sweet spirit." I will never forget that, as the first few months were trying. It's time to make lemonade friends!
By His Grace,
Marla
In August of 2008 I had my left eye removed because the tumor was too big to treat. I was told there would be a 50/50 chance the cancer could spread to my liver or other organs within five years. But my chances were good I thought.
In October of 2009 the cancer had metastasized to my liver. I found this out seven weeks after my daughter Lucy was born. Praying for another miracle I asked God to save me for my family.
He was faithful. After ten treatment, within ten months, at MD Anderson under the care of Dr. Wen-Jen Hwu I was found with no evidence of disease. We all rejoiced!
The cancer would return a second time to my liver in January of 2013. Dr. Hwu set a plan and once again by May no evidence of disease.
This past December on my routine scans we found the cancer had returned again for the third time on my liver. But now with a new friend on my kidney as well. Since December I've had a biopsy and test to confirm cancer in kidney.
I met Dr. Richard Carvajal in New York in March seeking more information on a new trial he is over.
My family and I have been praying for the next steps to take. I've decided to go on the trial in New York. This is going to be very trying on my family and I as we face the unknown. I am praying for great things to come.
The trial starts next week. The first six weeks we will be traveling round trip to New York each week for a couple of days each week from Texas. This will be an expense with medical bills, travel expenses, and daily living.
Wonderful friends have helped me set up this page for support. My family and I are blessed by any support you can give. The main support we need is prayer!
Thank you for helping with my journey to fight this disease.
My friend Leslie was praying for me in our small group last week. She said something in her prayer that has stuck with me each day. Leslie said, "Marla's making lemonade in sweet spirit." I will never forget that, as the first few months were trying. It's time to make lemonade friends!
By His Grace,
Marla
Organizer
Marla Ellis Avery
Organizer
Denton, TX