10/19/2020 – Here we are nearing in on 9 months post-diagnosis and post-surgery. How can that be possible? The days have both dragged on and zoomed by. I’m sure that during this COVID pandemic most everyone is feeling the same way.

We wanted to fill you in on some key updates regarding us and Jelena.

August:

Jelena turned 13! Wow! We have a teenager in the house. She had an amazing day. It started out with a water balloon fight with her dear friend Mollie, the UVA Field Hockey team did a drive by birthday party for her, we had a nighttime swim pool party, Auntie April and Petra drove down with AMAZING cupcakes, my parents came down …. It was a magical day that we were happy to celebrate.

We had an amazing fundraising event in August for St. Baldrick’s. At the end of this note we listed the names of those that gave. There were a few who remained anonymous and we would like to thank you as well. We can’t thank you all enough who donated money, logged in to watch the head shaving, and the community that supported us. Jelena’s Tumi-nators (part of Tumi-nation) raised over $7500 for pediatric cancer research. Friends, YOU did this!!! We thank you greatly!! (On a side note, my hair is slowly growing back – Mike calls it a “military haircut without the military.”)

In conjunction with St. Baldricks, we were asked if we would participate in a podcast regarding Cancer amid COVID-19, for Cure Today. With Jelena’s permission to share her story (and some gentle nudging), we participated. Feel free to listen here: https://www.curetoday.com/search?searchTerm=jelena. We look forward to continue to partner with organizations to bring light to the topic of Pediatric Cancer and the needs for additional funding and research.

September:

September was a very busy month filled with a lot of family joy and celebrations. My sweet cousin Sarah got married in Pennsylvania, and we were able to celebrate with her. She was so sweet and included Jelena in the *getting ready* portion of her day. Jelena had her hair and make-up done (thank you Ali and Sami) and was treated like a princess. It was a big deal and she felt so special. Thank you for Sarah & Mike for including us in your beautiful day. Seriously, it was a beautiful day. Beautiful weather, beautiful location, and it was filled with fun and LOVE!! We wish the new Wechsler Family years of happiness.  

My sister Joanna (aka Auntie Joanna) had a birthday. My parents (Poppa & Grandmommy) celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. We were so thankful to be able to share these blessings with our family.

September was also the start of the NFL season which is a big deal to the Colasurdo’s. Lots of NFC East rivalries in our house as Jelena is an Eagles fan (FLY Eagles FLY) and Mike is a Washington Football Team fan. (Hail to the someones, Hail Victory, someones on the warpath….) – the fight song has lost all meaning. I on the other hand, are pleased that my team has been revitalized with a new quarterback. Yes, I’m a Tampa Bay fan….going back to the Gruden coaching days and strong safety John Lynch. We will see what Brady and Gronk can do.

October:

We now find ourselves in October. More birthdays to celebrate. Auntie April had a birthday. If you don’t know how important she is in our lives, go back to our first entries. I called April while we were in the UVA ED, about five minutes after the CT scan found Jelena’s brain tumor. She dropped everything, drove to Charlottesville, and stayed with us (between UVA hospital and a hotel) for the next 2 weeks to help us figure out our new normal. She was a critical part of our daily lives in the very beginning and supported us beyond measure. Everyone needs an April in their lives……but you’ll have to get your own because I’m not giving mine up! April, we love you and cannot find the right words to thank you for your commitment to our friendship and the love you have for Jelena.

Lis had a birthday also (same day as Auntie April may I add). Lis is a dear friend of mine from nursing school who I worked with in neurosurgery at UVA. She was a frequent visitor when Jelena was in the hospital, often stopping by before or after shifts. She helped us during discharge and facilitated with the Mathews family (Justin & Brittany) our “WELCOME HOME” from the Albemarle County Fire Department! Lis holds a special place in our hearts.

My niece Ashley turned 14 and my Dad (aka Poppa) will also have a birthday this month. (Age excluded, however Jelena reminds him that he’s the one closest to 100 – YIKES)

On the medical side, October has been a busy month for Jelena. She battled an infection, needed antibiotics, those antibiotics caused a secondary gastro infection, which needed more antibiotics, she was on isolation, her infusion was delayed a few days (which lent us to stay quarantined at my parent’s house for an extended time), she’s been COVID tested twice (negative both times), and had her 9-month post diagnosis/post-surgery MRI.

MRI highlights:

• There has been no growth
• There has been no infiltration of additional brain tissue
• The tumor appears to be more encapsulated
• There are no new developing blood vessels, as well as no fluid leaking
• The ventricles are measuring slightly smaller (less swelling of the ventricular space)

This is all good news!

We met with the Rad-Onc team at Sibley (we love them) led by Dr. Matt Ladra. Dr. Matt let us know that while this isn’t a big sigh of relief moment, this is certainly encouraging news as deserves to be celebrated. We take this as a WIN and thank God for gifting and using so many people (and science) to be part of Jelena’s cancer journey.

In other news, life ticks on. Jelena continues with occupational therapy of her arm/hand and weekly massage therapy. We continue with our trips every other week up to DC for Jelena’s immunotherapy infusions. Mike and I have worked out our schedules so I can return to work on a VERY as need basis. It’s nice to get back into work, even if it’s only for 20 hours a month. 😊 We look forward to the upcoming months, filled with more birthdays and the holidays. There is so much to be thankful for and to celebrate!

A special shout-out to Andrea’s parents in the NoVA area.   They are our refuge during the every other week of infusions and they have gone beyond the call of duty. They are forever supportive and treat the whole family like royalty. As you can imagine a couple of young empty nesters having to put up with us for three-day stints twice a month. As parents we could not ask for more.   I keep thanking them and their response is “as long as Jelena comes with you – your always welcome”. Needless to say, we oblige!   The NoVA parents are the best!

Further, there are many people that continue to support our journey, friends, relatives, co-workers and the like. We continue to ask for prayers and positive thoughts. Our lives would not be the same without you.

And we look forward to our next medical milestone in January – 1 year post diagnosis and 1 year post brain surgery.

We wish you all peace during the upcoming months,

Mike, Andrea, and Jelena  

Saint BALDRICK’s GIVERS (Your support is very meaniful)

PLEASE EXCUSE THE FORMATING - THE SPACING DID NOT COOPERATE WITH A CUT AND PASTE FROM WORD TO THIS SITE. 

Joe and Marianne     

Anonymous

Keith & Kim Roberts

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Karen Maxymiv

Karen, Brian & Dylan Fox

April & Petra

Monica Barber

Marianne Colasurdo

Anonymous

C Dinh

Dani Thomas

Dawn Ramsey

Robert Lundegard

Sarah Deblass

Bob and Chris Vitrikas

Cheryl Abar

Cioci Tess              Melanie Buen

Sangeeta Clough

Sarah & Julie

Jelena; CEO of Tumi-Nation

Ashley Smith

Devon Barrett

Helene Levenson

Stacy Williams

John Murphy

Bruce Jackson

Robin Lee Hair and Makeup

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Joseph Goodin

VITO GERMINARIO

Ed Levine

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Mr. Craig Yarbrough

Anonymous Barry Mensh

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Selena Drincic

CJ & Derek Watson

Matt & Deb Bressler    

   Diane Bagby

Paul Kershaw

Squirrl McClintock     Eddy Levine

Anonymous              Tom Speciale
Linda Montfort In Memory Of Kathyrn Groves
Jelena's Dream Team (Clare, Caitlin, and Kaitlyn)
Kristine Campbell
Noel Cline
Family Hutchins
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Chane and Sarah Nohr
Courtney Krowe
Dawn Ramsey
Elizabeth Frank
Linda Gross

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Cothran Family
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Bob & Jane Atkins
Debbie Goldsmith
Nikki Cummings
Rob Lundegard
Shelley Melnick
Cynthia Gale Rose In Memory Of Rosemarie Gambill
Deb Sanders In Honor Of Jelena Colasurdo
Frank Misiti In Honor Of Jelena Colasurdo
Robin Rakow
Veronica Bowles
Brynn Acker
Jessica Jenkins In Honor Of Jelana Colasurdo
Penny Payne
Renee Fadeley
Sarah Coulter In Honor Of Jelena Colasurdo
Sarah Malay
Sini Morris
Toni Dixon
Caitlin Gallagher

Cherish Keeling
Jodi Eastwood
KINDRA SIMMONS
Montsho, Kimberly & Soren Sanders - Katy, TX
Marianne Colasurdo In Honor Of Jalena Colasurdo
Tara Howard
Adam Smith
Shelley McCullers
Clara Walter
Christy Miller
Sophia Madimenos