#CarolineStrong

Our dear friend Caroline was recently diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. A very common form of breast cancer, yet Caroline has it in its most aggressive form (grade 3). Tests found a tumor 7cm in her left breast, but also found it had spread to her lymph nodes and sternum. Because it had spread to sternum, it was staged at stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Even though it’s considered incurable, Caroline is working with a medical team in Omaha where they lined up an aggressive treatment plan: 16 weeks of chemo, double mastectomy, 6 weeks of radiation, then anti-estrogen medication for a minimum of 5-10 years. This plan is to attack her disease with curative intent. Those who know Caroline know she has the fight in her. She is not a stranger to adversity. She spent the last 3 years trying with her husband for children. Dealing with infertility, surgeries, 4 miscarriages, and a lifestyle change to heal her body in order to have a healthy pregnancy were merely speed bumps in her quest to start a family; nothing deterred her. With all of the pain and suffering she has endured over these past years, it prepared her to cope with the cancer diagnosis that came Labor Day weekend. Even though the odds are stacked against her, she sees this as another speed bump in the road that she will overcome. She has met cancer head on, giving it her all … her strength and faith never ceasing. Caroline will not let cancer win. #carolinestrong Please consider donating to help Caroline and Kurt with the expected, and unexpected, expenses associated with the tough fight ahead. Your donation will be put into an account to cover items such as: insurance copays and deductables related to treatment, possible clinical trials not covered by insurance (and travel expenses to participate in these trials), a wig for the duration of chemo, medication, and medical equipment. Let's help the couple to focus on beating this awful disease without worrying about the financial stress. This account will also help fund a vacation for Caroline to look forward to once her initial round of treatment is complete. Your donation will show the couple they are not alone in this fight. Thank you!