Hope for Vanessa
Donation protected
Dear Friends,
As many of you know, Since October, 2014 Vanessa has been battling Breast Cancer. This is all very shocking as we know Vanessa to be an athletic, active, lively, loving and very caring 30 year old swim instructor. No one could ever have imagined that breast cancer was lurking in her body. Even more frightful was her recent diagnosis of an extremely rare genetic disorder, Li Fraumeni Syndrome.
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome is a cancer predisposition syndrome, similar to the more well-known BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutation (the “Angelina Jolie” gene). Unfortunately, Li Fraumeni is associated with the development of more than just Breast and Ovarian cancers. A variety of primary cancers including Brain, Bone, Soft Tissue, Lung, Melanoma, Colon Cancer and Leukemia often occur with this disorder. Female carriers have an almost 100% lifetime risk of cancer by age 60; and a 50% risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer by age 30. Over the average lifespan, there is an expected risk of developing several primary cancers.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure or treatment for this syndrome and future cancer prevention consists of aggressive surveillance for known cancer risks. This includes yearly Rapid Full-Body MRI Scan, Brain MRI, Breast MRI, pelvic ultrasound and bi-yearly colonoscopy. Monthly blood work to detect circulating tumor cells is also recommended.
To date, Vanessa has undergone a lumpectomy to remove the Cancer and has completed 6 rounds of Chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is not recommended for Li Fraumeni sufferers as it can induce Cancer in the treated area. She continues to receive targeted therapy treatments with Herceptin until December, and has completed 8 of 18, and has started her 5 year treatment of daily tamoxifen doses. A bi-lateral Mastectomy will be scheduled soon to reduce her risk of recurrence, and reconstruction surgery will be scheduled once she has healed.
Prior to chemotherapy, Vanessa underwent fertility preservation to help her chances of becoming a parent in the future. Those of you who have seen her at work know what a joy it is for her to spend time both in and out of the pool with children. Her patience, kindness, and encouragement leave a lasting impression on “her kids”. Slowly Vanessa has been able to piece her life back together. Her sunny disposition, blonde hair and ever-present smile are returning and we are all cautiously optimistic that Vanessa’s future will be filled with many blessings. This is where the kindness of you readers comes in.
Vanessa is very fortunate to have excellent health care coverage provided by her employer, Waterworks Aquatics. However, many of these procedures are not covered under her health plan, or are considered experimental and not proven necessary under NCCN Clinical Guidelines. Many of these tests, scans, and treatments, have to be paid out of pocket now and in the future. Her short-term Disability Benefits will soon run out in November, and no further disability benefits will be available to offset the cost of treatment, tests, student loan payments and living expenses. At that time, her healthcare costs, dental costs and basic living expenses will have far exceeded what she had received in benefits.
Your donation to Vanessa on this website will give hope to her that someday she can continue to work, teaching children lifesaving lessons, and share her love for the water with them and possibly her own children someday. So many of you have offered help in the way of kindnesses both big and small; and for that she is eternally grateful.
As many of you know, Since October, 2014 Vanessa has been battling Breast Cancer. This is all very shocking as we know Vanessa to be an athletic, active, lively, loving and very caring 30 year old swim instructor. No one could ever have imagined that breast cancer was lurking in her body. Even more frightful was her recent diagnosis of an extremely rare genetic disorder, Li Fraumeni Syndrome.
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome is a cancer predisposition syndrome, similar to the more well-known BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutation (the “Angelina Jolie” gene). Unfortunately, Li Fraumeni is associated with the development of more than just Breast and Ovarian cancers. A variety of primary cancers including Brain, Bone, Soft Tissue, Lung, Melanoma, Colon Cancer and Leukemia often occur with this disorder. Female carriers have an almost 100% lifetime risk of cancer by age 60; and a 50% risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer by age 30. Over the average lifespan, there is an expected risk of developing several primary cancers.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure or treatment for this syndrome and future cancer prevention consists of aggressive surveillance for known cancer risks. This includes yearly Rapid Full-Body MRI Scan, Brain MRI, Breast MRI, pelvic ultrasound and bi-yearly colonoscopy. Monthly blood work to detect circulating tumor cells is also recommended.
To date, Vanessa has undergone a lumpectomy to remove the Cancer and has completed 6 rounds of Chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is not recommended for Li Fraumeni sufferers as it can induce Cancer in the treated area. She continues to receive targeted therapy treatments with Herceptin until December, and has completed 8 of 18, and has started her 5 year treatment of daily tamoxifen doses. A bi-lateral Mastectomy will be scheduled soon to reduce her risk of recurrence, and reconstruction surgery will be scheduled once she has healed.
Prior to chemotherapy, Vanessa underwent fertility preservation to help her chances of becoming a parent in the future. Those of you who have seen her at work know what a joy it is for her to spend time both in and out of the pool with children. Her patience, kindness, and encouragement leave a lasting impression on “her kids”. Slowly Vanessa has been able to piece her life back together. Her sunny disposition, blonde hair and ever-present smile are returning and we are all cautiously optimistic that Vanessa’s future will be filled with many blessings. This is where the kindness of you readers comes in.
Vanessa is very fortunate to have excellent health care coverage provided by her employer, Waterworks Aquatics. However, many of these procedures are not covered under her health plan, or are considered experimental and not proven necessary under NCCN Clinical Guidelines. Many of these tests, scans, and treatments, have to be paid out of pocket now and in the future. Her short-term Disability Benefits will soon run out in November, and no further disability benefits will be available to offset the cost of treatment, tests, student loan payments and living expenses. At that time, her healthcare costs, dental costs and basic living expenses will have far exceeded what she had received in benefits.
Your donation to Vanessa on this website will give hope to her that someday she can continue to work, teaching children lifesaving lessons, and share her love for the water with them and possibly her own children someday. So many of you have offered help in the way of kindnesses both big and small; and for that she is eternally grateful.
Organizer
Vanessa Wargo
Organizer
Huntington Beach, CA
