CHENANGO COUNTY – “Whether it is reminiscing about the time she sprayed me with Windex or laughed so hard she spit her milk on my egg roll – and I nearly cried –, Becky and I were fortunate to have each other growing up. But almost more important than that, she has always been someone I have looked up to. This past year is no exception,” said Debbie Bigelow, sister of Rebecca Sands.
Sands was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma on May 14, 2015.
On Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015 the community is rallying together to support Sands by embarking on Rebecca’s Virtual Run.
The run, organized by Ann Coe, is for anyone who would like to provide Sands with encouragement and support throughout her time of need. Sands, Executive Director of The Place in Norwich will be out of work for an extended period of time.
Prior to Sands’ diagnosis, she was scheduled for surgery to remove a polyp from her maxillary sinus that had been discovered in December 2014 when she went to an ENT for sinus troubles. As many polyps tend to be benign, there was not urgency placed on the surgery to remove it, and it scheduled for May 4, 2015.
In April, just a month before her scheduled surgery, Sands developed a lump on the roof of her mouth and her gums became sore. The dentist gave her a clean bill of health on her teeth and prescribed an antibiotic in case she had an infection. Sands then met with the ENT who conducted an MRI and learned that the mass had grown much larger in size.
Sands then saw a specialist that following week who suspected the tumor was likely cancerous. That doctor then performed a biopsy and removed part of the tumor.
A pathologist then determined that the tumor was Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.
Sands met then with a head and neck specialist at Strong Hospital in Rochester. A PET scan confirmed that the cancer was localized to the sinus area.
The cancer was classified as stage IV, based on the location and the size, yet doctors have been optimistic about Sands’ outcome.
Sands had surgery on June 17, 2015 in Rochester.
The Virtual Run is unique in nature as folks do not actually have to participate in person. There is a race bib provided on the Rebecca’s Virtual Run Facebook page that one can print out. Participants are encouraged to cut the page in half, fill out the bottom and mail it to Sands – so she can send a thank you – with a suggested $10 donation. One could then affix the top half of the sheet to a shirt and simply wear it to work, drive with it, go for a casual walk, or even sleep.
For those wishing to participate in person, Coe said that the CNY fit Running Club will be meeting at the Morrisville Norwich Campus at 8 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 1. “Run, walk, skip, drive, … however you want to get that three miles done is okay with us,” said Coe.
According to Coe, the following is the route for those wishing to participate Saturday: Starting at Eaton Center parking lot, up Conkey to Locust, left on West Main, right on Canasawacta, left on Cortland, left and around Willard Court, down 23 to right on Beech, right on Canasawacta to West Main, left on West Main to Broad, right on Broad to Beebe, right on Beebe, right on Elm and finishing at the corner of Elm and Conkey.
“I just want to get the point across that this cancer goes often misdiagnosed for years before it is found and then usually in a late stage. That is what happened with me. I was being treated for TMJ for two years and then for some sinus problems before I found out I had a huge tumor,” said Sands. “Unfortunately since being diagnosed I heard from many people who have had similar stories.My tumor was growing in my sinus and jaw. I had to have a 12 hour surgery to remove it with reconstruction to make me look like me again.”
Sands said she was in the hospital for several days and her face was swollen for several weeks. “I’m finally starting to look like myself again,” Sands said.
Friend Jill Eddy said, “I met Rebecca when she accepted a position at Commerce Chenango about 4 years ago. We immediately hit it off and even conspired to have a ‘Bring Your Dog to Work Day.’ I was so sad to see her go, but knew she was going to do great as the executive director at The Place. Not long after she accepted that position we again were able to work together through the Leadership Chenango program. It was amazing to watch my friend, who was already a good leader, flourish into a great one. Rebecca truly loves our community and it makes my heart happy to see that same community come together to support her in this challenging time.”
“She has truly impressed me with her compassion and dedication to others and her success as the executive director of The Place. But nothing could have prepared her or our family for the events that have unraveled since May this year,” said Bigelow. “Though she has had her fair share of ups and downs along the way, she continues to push forward. As trivial as it is, nothing excites me more than going home and visiting my sister and getting to spend our time snuggled in bed watching HGTV. I can’t wait for the next chapter in our lives where we get to once again share only good memories.”
Sands said she is waiting to hear if she will be accepted for proton therapy at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “It has been suggested that this would be a better option for me than the normal radiation. Unfortunately, there are only about ten places that offer proton therapy in the world.”
Sand said she has several months of treatment and healing ahead of her.
“This has obviously been devastating but I'm lucky to have such caring friends, family and community members here to support me. I'm so appreciative to Ann for starting my Virtual Run,” said Sands. “My family and I have been traveling so much and I've had so many doctor appointments and everyone's donations are really helping to make a difference.”
To learn more about Rebecca’s Virtual Run visit its Facebook page.