Taylor's Medical Fund
Donation protected
Hi!
My name is Brittany Snyder, I am Taylor's older sister. Unfortunately, my family has been dealt what I would deem more than our fair share of cancer stories. When I was 9 years old and Taylor was 8 years old, our mother passed away from brain cancer. She had been fighting a battle that, according to doctors, should have only lasted about 90 days. My father drained his resources to save her and, thanks to amazing advancements in science, he managed to keep her alive for 6 more years. My mother was enrolled in clinical trials testing drugs that are now used to help those suffering from brain cancer today.
On Wednesday, November 12, 2014, my sister, Taylor, had a seizure. It was the scariest day of my life, and I will never forget it. The worst part was that she was not home, she had been visiting her boyfriend, Nick, in Bradenton. That drive with my dad from Palm Beach to the hospital in Bradenton was the longest 4 hours of my life.
My sister was diagnosed with a Grade 2 Astrocytoma, a cancerous type of brain tumor. Scarily enough, it was the same type, but thankfully a lower grade than my mom had been diagnosed with when we were little. Within a matter of a week my sister was scheduled to see an amazing neurosurgeon, Dr. Komotar at the University of Miami, to have a craniotomy with the potential for full resection of the tumor.
The surgery went amazingly and it was determined by many doctors who specialize in this field of medicine that the tumor had been removed in its entirety. However, since it was a cancerous tumor, there was potential for regrowth.
As such, MRIs were scheduled every 3 months or so following the surgery to ensure that if regrowth did occur it would be caught as early as possible.
A year went by as my sister, my family and I slowly recooperated and did our best to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally from this traumatic event. Taylor got a job and moved into an apartment with Nick. She rediscovered hobbies and things that make her happy such as decorating and refinishing/painting furniture.
At Taylor's most recent MRI scan, her doctor informed us of bad news once more. There were signs pointing to the regrowth of the tumor. Second and third opinions were sought, and it has been determined that the cancer is already slowly creeping its way back in my sister's brain. The plan of treatment involves both radiation and chemotherapy. My sister is only 23 years old and in a few short months she will be able to say that in the past year and a half she has undergone a craniotomy as well as radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
As a result, I'm doing something that I know my dad and sister would never do- ask for financial help. The cost of brain cancer treatment for one individual in the family is tremendous. But for two? It's unimaginable. It's more than anyone should have to handle in the course of one lifetime both in terms of finances and emotionally. Any donation would be appreciated more than words can express. Donations will be put towards doctor appointments and procedures, MRIs, medication, radiation, and chemotherapy.
On a final note, my sister and my dad are both the kind of people who keep to themselves. They don't seek out attention, nor do they enjoy it. So during this very stressful and exhausting time, I ask that if you would like to express your love or make contact, that you do so through me. Thank you :)
My name is Brittany Snyder, I am Taylor's older sister. Unfortunately, my family has been dealt what I would deem more than our fair share of cancer stories. When I was 9 years old and Taylor was 8 years old, our mother passed away from brain cancer. She had been fighting a battle that, according to doctors, should have only lasted about 90 days. My father drained his resources to save her and, thanks to amazing advancements in science, he managed to keep her alive for 6 more years. My mother was enrolled in clinical trials testing drugs that are now used to help those suffering from brain cancer today.
On Wednesday, November 12, 2014, my sister, Taylor, had a seizure. It was the scariest day of my life, and I will never forget it. The worst part was that she was not home, she had been visiting her boyfriend, Nick, in Bradenton. That drive with my dad from Palm Beach to the hospital in Bradenton was the longest 4 hours of my life.
My sister was diagnosed with a Grade 2 Astrocytoma, a cancerous type of brain tumor. Scarily enough, it was the same type, but thankfully a lower grade than my mom had been diagnosed with when we were little. Within a matter of a week my sister was scheduled to see an amazing neurosurgeon, Dr. Komotar at the University of Miami, to have a craniotomy with the potential for full resection of the tumor.
The surgery went amazingly and it was determined by many doctors who specialize in this field of medicine that the tumor had been removed in its entirety. However, since it was a cancerous tumor, there was potential for regrowth.
As such, MRIs were scheduled every 3 months or so following the surgery to ensure that if regrowth did occur it would be caught as early as possible.
A year went by as my sister, my family and I slowly recooperated and did our best to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally from this traumatic event. Taylor got a job and moved into an apartment with Nick. She rediscovered hobbies and things that make her happy such as decorating and refinishing/painting furniture.
At Taylor's most recent MRI scan, her doctor informed us of bad news once more. There were signs pointing to the regrowth of the tumor. Second and third opinions were sought, and it has been determined that the cancer is already slowly creeping its way back in my sister's brain. The plan of treatment involves both radiation and chemotherapy. My sister is only 23 years old and in a few short months she will be able to say that in the past year and a half she has undergone a craniotomy as well as radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
As a result, I'm doing something that I know my dad and sister would never do- ask for financial help. The cost of brain cancer treatment for one individual in the family is tremendous. But for two? It's unimaginable. It's more than anyone should have to handle in the course of one lifetime both in terms of finances and emotionally. Any donation would be appreciated more than words can express. Donations will be put towards doctor appointments and procedures, MRIs, medication, radiation, and chemotherapy.
On a final note, my sister and my dad are both the kind of people who keep to themselves. They don't seek out attention, nor do they enjoy it. So during this very stressful and exhausting time, I ask that if you would like to express your love or make contact, that you do so through me. Thank you :)
Organizer and beneficiary
Brittany Snyder
Organizer
Lake Worth, FL
Gary Snyder
Beneficiary
