Beth's Battle Fund
Donation protected
When I was given the diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma (7/11/17), the world stopped and the shock was overwhelming. After a few days of doctors' appointments, lots of tears and praying, and trying to comprehend how I would move forward, I needed to open my life up on the most personal level that I can ever imagine to let my family, friends, and prayer warriors from around the world be with me on this journey that I did not choose. A journey I wish no one ever had to go through.
Because of the aggressive nature of melanoma, my wonderful husband Ron and I scrambled for me to become a patient with the best recommended oncologist and melanoma specialist that we could find. This has led to a team effort between my local oncologist in Lincoln, NE and a specialist from the melanoma cancer center at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. I have had all of my treatments in Lincoln, while I go to Houston every 3 months for bloodwork, CT scans, MRI scans, and with my next visit I will add in an EKG and ECHO to monitor my heart function because the strong medications I am on can cause side effects to the heart.
There have been many advancements in the treatment for melanoma in the past 3-5 years but this means that many treatments are still being researched through clinical trials and the new medicines are extremely expensive and considered specialty medication. Immunotherapy is very exciting and I am so thankful that I have these new treatments as options, but this and other potentially life-saving treatments are both difficult and costly.
My treatment started with 7 infusions of the drug Obdivo, which I took one infusion every other week for just over 3 months. After my first re-scans the medicine was working but not as well as the melanoma specialist would have liked to see. I have been switched to a combination targeted therapy with 2 specialty chemo medications. After just a week, I have had side effects of high fever (104 degrees) and chills so the doctors decided to hold the drugs temporarily and I will start the full dosages back after just a couple fever free days. The plan is for around 6 months of this combination treatment and then to go back to the Obdivo infusions indefinitely. I am so thankful for the team who is managing my care and on top of the best way to attack this terrible disease.
That is the factual side of this roller coaster. The emotional and spiritual sides of this diagnosis are much harder to put into words. Health is so easily taken for granted when you have it. I am the Mom and supposed to be the glue of my family. God has blessed me with three happy, healthy, loving, and amazing children. Ryan (19), Luke (15), and Rachael (13), are my whole heart and my reasons to fight and win this battle.
I have been blessed by the outpouring of love and prayers from family and friends who want to help. The encouraging words and positivity bring me joy and I know I'm never alone in this fight. Staying positive and holding on to hope are so important. God is the ultimate healer and I know He is a God of miracles. Please feel free to join me in asking Him for my miracle, a complete cure.
My family and friends are hosting a "Blackout for Beth" event in conjunction with one of my son's upcoming high school basketball games. The black ribbon represents those fighting melanoma cancer. In addition to everyone wearing black shirts, a meal and bake sale, there are many people who have asked how they can give or help without being able to attend the event.
In the past, I have been able to help others through their difficult times and cancer battles through their gofundme pages. Never in my wildest nightmare did I ever imagine myself needing to accept the support for me. It is so hard to be the receiver when I just want to be the giver. The truth is, I feel the genuine care and love that comes from the offers and people saying they would like to help. I appreciate it and so I'm setting up this Battle Fund so that anyone who gives will know that I will be specifically using the money to offset costs to my family that are a result of my melanoma, for my treatment, medication costs, and travel expenses for doctors appointments.
Thank you, let's "Stand Tall Through It All" together.
with much love,
Beth
Because of the aggressive nature of melanoma, my wonderful husband Ron and I scrambled for me to become a patient with the best recommended oncologist and melanoma specialist that we could find. This has led to a team effort between my local oncologist in Lincoln, NE and a specialist from the melanoma cancer center at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. I have had all of my treatments in Lincoln, while I go to Houston every 3 months for bloodwork, CT scans, MRI scans, and with my next visit I will add in an EKG and ECHO to monitor my heart function because the strong medications I am on can cause side effects to the heart.
There have been many advancements in the treatment for melanoma in the past 3-5 years but this means that many treatments are still being researched through clinical trials and the new medicines are extremely expensive and considered specialty medication. Immunotherapy is very exciting and I am so thankful that I have these new treatments as options, but this and other potentially life-saving treatments are both difficult and costly.
My treatment started with 7 infusions of the drug Obdivo, which I took one infusion every other week for just over 3 months. After my first re-scans the medicine was working but not as well as the melanoma specialist would have liked to see. I have been switched to a combination targeted therapy with 2 specialty chemo medications. After just a week, I have had side effects of high fever (104 degrees) and chills so the doctors decided to hold the drugs temporarily and I will start the full dosages back after just a couple fever free days. The plan is for around 6 months of this combination treatment and then to go back to the Obdivo infusions indefinitely. I am so thankful for the team who is managing my care and on top of the best way to attack this terrible disease.
That is the factual side of this roller coaster. The emotional and spiritual sides of this diagnosis are much harder to put into words. Health is so easily taken for granted when you have it. I am the Mom and supposed to be the glue of my family. God has blessed me with three happy, healthy, loving, and amazing children. Ryan (19), Luke (15), and Rachael (13), are my whole heart and my reasons to fight and win this battle.
I have been blessed by the outpouring of love and prayers from family and friends who want to help. The encouraging words and positivity bring me joy and I know I'm never alone in this fight. Staying positive and holding on to hope are so important. God is the ultimate healer and I know He is a God of miracles. Please feel free to join me in asking Him for my miracle, a complete cure.
My family and friends are hosting a "Blackout for Beth" event in conjunction with one of my son's upcoming high school basketball games. The black ribbon represents those fighting melanoma cancer. In addition to everyone wearing black shirts, a meal and bake sale, there are many people who have asked how they can give or help without being able to attend the event.
In the past, I have been able to help others through their difficult times and cancer battles through their gofundme pages. Never in my wildest nightmare did I ever imagine myself needing to accept the support for me. It is so hard to be the receiver when I just want to be the giver. The truth is, I feel the genuine care and love that comes from the offers and people saying they would like to help. I appreciate it and so I'm setting up this Battle Fund so that anyone who gives will know that I will be specifically using the money to offset costs to my family that are a result of my melanoma, for my treatment, medication costs, and travel expenses for doctors appointments.
Thank you, let's "Stand Tall Through It All" together.
with much love,
Beth
Organizer
Beth Volin
Organizer
Lincoln, NE
