Kelli's Battle with Brain Cancer

So, a little behind with the updates... My apologies, just got caught up and didn't do a good job 😐.

As most of you know, Cinco de Mayo is the anniversary of the extraction of Kelli's tumor (Marla.) While we try to occupy ourselves and enjoy the day each year, it's always in the back of our minds. It's been three years, and all the hard work, dedication, love, and support has been paying off. She's still healthy and with us, which is all that matters.

On a separate note, MRNA vaccine development is in trials in the US finally (go UF 🐊🐊!) Hoping soon that treatment is available 😬.

As always, thanks to everyone for ❤️❤️. We definitely appreciate all everyone has done for us.

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Another Oncology appointment, another clear MRI screening. Brain still holding consistent. Nothing like early morning good news 😊. Thanks for the ❤️ and support.

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Just letting everyone know, Kelli has been doing well for the past month or so. We are getting ready for visit with the oncologist next week.

Ok... So, appointment at Kirklin today went well. They did the contrasting MRI to get a different view of tumor (after the last one gave us some questions.) This time everything looked fine. Dr said the tumor site could not look better in his opinion. They are attributing the seizure to stress and med combo. Dosage upped a bit and another appointment in our usual three months time frame. Big relief for us for sure, it's been a long month 🤣🤣. Thanks to everyone who has reached out and helped. ❤️ All of you!

As many of you are aware, Kelli had a pretty significant event Tuesday. Apparently a seizure caused her to fall and hit her head, busting her eyebrow and scalp. We aren't entirely sure why the seizure took place, but hopefully it's something that meds and rest can fix. She stayed home from work last week, and spent the weekend relaxing for the most part.

She went today for an MRI to more closely examine the tumor, we will go Wednesday to meet with oncology to analyze the results. Thanks for all ❤️ and support you continue to give. We greatly appreciate it.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kelli-neal

Got some clarity from UAB... I finally broke down and called yesterday.

They explained why they want to wait until January and clarified that if Kelli had any symptoms to let them know and they would immediately bring her in.

Basically, she has no symptoms yet, he's wanting to run a different MRI, and the official report from the nero/radio was stable with zero changes. Dr Han just saw some very subtle things, but nothing to be overly alarmed about.

So, we wait until January and go back...

This is what Sunday evenings look like when you're battling... Kelli takes handfuls of vitamins and meds every morning and night. Took us about 20 minutes to fill it all.

Difficult day today filled with uncertainty. Kelli had her appointment with UAB neuro-oncology, and the MRI showed a slight difference from previous scans. The doctor isn't sure if this shows tumor growth, or if it's just a different angle during the MRI. They have her coming back in two months to check and be sure. All the positive vibes you can muster y'all.

Nothing new to report here in the household. Just living each day as full as we can manage. Still waiting on testing for some of the meds Kelli is trying to substitute since they want to charge 46K for month of mebendazole. Hoping those come back soon. Thanks again for all the ❤️❤️ and support! We definitely appreciate it.

Another appointment at the Kirklin Clinic, another day of positive news. No tumor growth, nothing negative to report. Weight is even up a bit 😁. Kelli is doing great! Even though UAB can't help with the medicine issue, it's been a good news day. 3 more months until next visit! Thanks again for all the ❤️ and support. We definitely appreciate it.

Only in America. This is a one month supply of a med prescribed to help delay recurrence/ growth of Kelli's tumor. She takes a handful of pills a day that combine to increase her survival time... Got this today. Mind you, I'm a teacher and we have 'the best' insurance 🙄🙄

Kelli's Battle with Brain Cancer This page is set up to keep all of Kelli's family and supporters up to date on her journey! We love

Needing all the positive vibes and thoughts! One week till next MRI check up. 😵‍💫🫨

Hey y'all! Sorry it's been a bit, but with busted phone for almost a month I had some difficulty switching profiles 🙃. Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday in whatever fashion was best, and hope y'all are taking advantage of summer. Kelli goes back to Kirklin Clinic for MRI at the end of this month. We've just been trying to enjoy each day until then. Thanks for all the ❤️❤️ and support!

Ok, so I haven't said much this past week even though it's big on our calendar. It, of course, has been two years since doctors discovered Kelli's tumor. And today marks the 2nd anniversary of the extraction. What a week that was. So glad she's still here with us today.

I couldn't be more proud of Kelli. I know we post updates and such, but y'all there's so much you don't see. So many conversations, events, and just moments I cherish these days. She really is amazing, and she's done so well given the circumstances. Hoping to have many more anniversary days like today, where she is home when I get done with work.

We wouldn't be here without all y'all's ❤️ and support. For that I am also thankful.

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Today was Kelli's trimonthly MRI at UAB, and thankfully everything looked good. Brain healing was apparent on this screen, and no tumor growth. 3 more months of healthy living scheduled ✔️✔️. Thanks for the ❤️ and support!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kelli-neal

Just wanted to thank everyone for hanging in there with us and continuing the love and support. Wouldn't be here without it all.

We've been busy busy since last MRI. Trying to nail down doc appts, meds, life, etc. Thanks again, and we love y'all!

So, it took me a little bit to post this update. Just a lot going on as Kelli has been experiencing some symptoms (headaches, dizziness, etc.) She had an appointment scheduled for February, but we when contacted UAB they had her come in the next morning. Did a MRI and as far as they can tell, tumor is still stable and not growing. So big sigh of relief from us, three months till next appt. Hoping symptoms are just stress, weather, or the like. Thanks for all y'all do! ❤️❤️❤️

As we start the new year, just want to say how proud and excited I am to have Kelli here for 2023! She's beating odds everyday, and I'm very thankful for it.

Merry Christmas to everyone out there! Make sure you are enjoying every day to the fullest! 🎄🎄💚🤍❤️

Some of you already heard, but Kelli's MRI last week was clear!!! She will go back in three months, but for the entire year of 2022 her tumor hasn't shown any growth and her brain continues to heal. Appointments are always stressful, but always glad to get and share good news. Thanks again to everyone in our community of support, definitely ❤️ and appreciate you!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kelli-neal

Make sure you're enjoying life every day. I know it's hard, but I encourage you all to try. Only get one trip around this 🌎.

So, we are about a month out from the next MRI appointment... But I wanted to take a minute and just revisit how awesome my wife is. Y'all, she's been battling this for about 17 months now. Not once has she slowed down, been negative, or thrown a pity party. Everyday she takes all these pills, oils, etc. Diet change? No problem. Need to shift her business? Check.

She has embraced this struggle like no one else could and her mindset has been amazing. I could go on all day here.

We appreciate everyone's positive vibes and support. ❤️❤️ All y'all.

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let y'all know what's up in our journey here. Nothing new, we are in between MRIs at this point, so no information on that front per se, but Kelli is looking at some alternative clinics in the area to have a closer doc for the work with Care Oncology. This wouldn't necessarily change the plan (meds, diet, etc), would just give her a doctor in our area.

Otherwise, we are just enjoying each day the best we can. Work, kids, dogs, life and such 😊😊. Thanks again for all you've done, and continue to do. ❤️ You all.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kelli-neal

As many of you have heard, Kelli's appointment at UAB yesterday was positive news. MRI showed that the tumor still isn't growing, which is of course awesome! There were some 'flares' on the images, but everyone seems convinced it's just scarring from radiation and surgery.

This was an anxiety ridden visit for some reason. No good answer as to why, but we both felt it yesterday morning. Hoping that's not going to be the norm, but for now we have 3 more months before she goes back. Thanks as always for the ❤️❤️, we definitely appreciate it all.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kelli-neal

Hey everyone! I know we haven't posted much lately, and I have gotten a few questions... But it's just that there's not much to report. We've had a very busy summer, and Kelli is still taking a bunch of vitamins and meds. She has an MRI scheduled for a couple of weeks, and until then we are just enjoying each day as much as possible. Hoping for another clean MRI coming up, then 3 more months of trying not to worry too much 🤞🤞. Thanks again for all that y'all do, we appreciate it more than we can put in words ❤️❤️❤️.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kelli-neal