Heather's No Stomach For Cancer
Donation protected
Heather was just shy of her 19th birthday and in her first year of college when she received the news that her mom, Darla, had gastric/stomach cancer (the same cancer her grandfather had most likely died of years before). Heather was terrified! She had lost her father at age 12 and the idea of losing her mom too was overwhelming!
Heather’s mom fought with everything she had. Afterall, she had two beautiful young girls who desperately needed her. She immediately had surgery and had 80% of her stomach removed, and had chemo, and radiation. Unfortunately, her stomach cancer was too agressive and one year after her diagnosis, Darla lost her battle to cancer. Heather and her younger sister Courtney no longer had either parent to turn to. Their lives were turned upside down and their hearts were broken.
After Darla's death, the doctors stressed to Heather and her sister the importance of having genetic testing to see if they too, had the gene for this cancer. Given their young ages and all they had just been through, it was set aside.
Fast forward twelve years, Heather is happily married and the mother of a beautiful 4 year old girl. During an annual check-up, Heather's primary doctor suggested she be preventative and see a gastroenterologist because of her family history of stomach cancer.
Heather saw a local GI doctor in Bismarck, ND and they discussed the kind of stomach cancer her mother had had, HDGC - Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer. This cancer is incredibly rare, affecting less than 1 % of Americans. Because doctors in Bismarck had never dealt with this type of cancer, Heather was referred to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN
In April, 2015, Heather had the genetic testing done and she tested positive for the CDH-1 gene mutation. This means Heather now has an 83% chance of getting the cancer that her mother and grandfather died from (HDGC). The problem with this cancer is it can't be detected in time to be treated and have a successful outcome. The test for this cancer is a biopsy of the stomach (endoscopy) and unless the biopsy is in the exact part of the stomach where the cancer is, it won’t show up. Also, this type of stomach cancer starts on the outer layer of the stomach and endoscopies are done on the inside of the stomach! By the time the cancer gets to the inside and can be detected, it is usually too late.
If Heather does end up with this type of cancer, the survival rate is only 4%!
Heather's doctors explained to her that their recommendation is for her to have a complete gastrectomy - removal of her entire stomach (yes, you can live without a stomach). After carefull consideration, extensive research, and lots of prayers, Heather has decided to follow her doctors advice. Heather feels that having an 83% chance of getting HDGC (stomach cancer) with only a 4% chance of survival is too much of a risk to take. She wants to be around as long as possible for her daughter and husband.
Heather is scheduled to have her complete gastrectomy on August 16, 2016. Through all of this, Heather and her husband Sean have never asked for anything but prayers. They are thankful that they have insurance that will cover the majority of the cost of the surgery. However, they will still have their deductible, co-pays, medications, transportation to and from and lodging while in Rochester. This account was created in hopes of alleviating some of these financial burdens. Whatever support you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your consideration.
Heather’s mom fought with everything she had. Afterall, she had two beautiful young girls who desperately needed her. She immediately had surgery and had 80% of her stomach removed, and had chemo, and radiation. Unfortunately, her stomach cancer was too agressive and one year after her diagnosis, Darla lost her battle to cancer. Heather and her younger sister Courtney no longer had either parent to turn to. Their lives were turned upside down and their hearts were broken.
After Darla's death, the doctors stressed to Heather and her sister the importance of having genetic testing to see if they too, had the gene for this cancer. Given their young ages and all they had just been through, it was set aside.
Fast forward twelve years, Heather is happily married and the mother of a beautiful 4 year old girl. During an annual check-up, Heather's primary doctor suggested she be preventative and see a gastroenterologist because of her family history of stomach cancer.
Heather saw a local GI doctor in Bismarck, ND and they discussed the kind of stomach cancer her mother had had, HDGC - Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer. This cancer is incredibly rare, affecting less than 1 % of Americans. Because doctors in Bismarck had never dealt with this type of cancer, Heather was referred to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN
In April, 2015, Heather had the genetic testing done and she tested positive for the CDH-1 gene mutation. This means Heather now has an 83% chance of getting the cancer that her mother and grandfather died from (HDGC). The problem with this cancer is it can't be detected in time to be treated and have a successful outcome. The test for this cancer is a biopsy of the stomach (endoscopy) and unless the biopsy is in the exact part of the stomach where the cancer is, it won’t show up. Also, this type of stomach cancer starts on the outer layer of the stomach and endoscopies are done on the inside of the stomach! By the time the cancer gets to the inside and can be detected, it is usually too late.
If Heather does end up with this type of cancer, the survival rate is only 4%!
Heather's doctors explained to her that their recommendation is for her to have a complete gastrectomy - removal of her entire stomach (yes, you can live without a stomach). After carefull consideration, extensive research, and lots of prayers, Heather has decided to follow her doctors advice. Heather feels that having an 83% chance of getting HDGC (stomach cancer) with only a 4% chance of survival is too much of a risk to take. She wants to be around as long as possible for her daughter and husband.
Heather is scheduled to have her complete gastrectomy on August 16, 2016. Through all of this, Heather and her husband Sean have never asked for anything but prayers. They are thankful that they have insurance that will cover the majority of the cost of the surgery. However, they will still have their deductible, co-pays, medications, transportation to and from and lodging while in Rochester. This account was created in hopes of alleviating some of these financial burdens. Whatever support you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your consideration.
Organizer and beneficiary
Linda Bass
Organizer
Bismarck, ND
Heather Huus
Beneficiary
