Help the Hopper's - Cancer Funds
Donation protected
On May 15th, 2017 - less than a month after my 31st birthday - I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Stage III breast cancer called "Triple Negative".
Back in 2016, when I was 32 weeks pregnant with my daughter; I discovered a mass in my left breast. At that time, it was about the size of a golf ball and when I asked three different OB/GYN physicians about it over the course of my final month of pregnancy, they all assured me of the same thing: it was most likely a blocked milk duct & not to worry, "it’s normal and will go away after you’re done breastfeeding". They didn't do a breast exam or any kind of follow up, and being a first time mom who trusted the doctor who helped us get pregnant after struggling for two years, I kept telling myself it would go away like they said & tried not to worry about it.
Fast forward almost a year and a half later - I woke up one morning with lymph node pain in my left armpit. I thought it was strange, but when I woke up the next morning & couldn't put my arm down because of the pain, I knew something was wrong. I went in that same day for an exam & the provider (a woman I had never seen before) quickly ordered a breast ultrasound. Immediately upon seeing the abnormality on the ultrasound, they did a breast biopsy. I will never forget that ultrasound :( A few days later I got the call confirming that I had breast cancer. Had I been diagnosed when I should have, I would have been 29 years old at diagnosis.
Since my diagnosis, I've had:
- “port placement" surgery
- (2) PET scans
- (2) Echocardiograms
- (4) rounds of AC chemotherapy
- Surgery to remove a cyst that had developed on my tailbone
- (9) rounds of Taxol chemotherapy
- Carried and wore a wound vac on my tailbone 24 hours a day for 4 months (because chemo weakened my immune system to the point that my surgery incision couldn't heal)
- Had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction (11/6/17)
- 30 rounds of radiation
- Brain MRI
- Started 6 months of chemotherapy pills on 3/5.
WHY I'M FUNDRAISING
This experience has been extremely hard for me in many unseen ways. Not just physically but emotionally and financially as well. We've been living paycheck to paycheck because we have our normal living expenses (groceries, diapers, gas, utility, rent, etc). but we also have numerous other random costs associated with a cancer diagnosis.
Please know that a donation in any amount, gas/grocery cards, pullups (size 3T-4T), prayers, good vibes & sharing our story is appreciated and cherished greatly. To the numerous people who have supported us in our journey, there are no words for how thankful we are.
In addition to this fundraiser, we ask for specific prayers that my cancer does not recur and that I have little side effects with my new oral chemo.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read our story. You can follow my story through Facebook or on Instagram. If our story has touched your heart or life in any way, please consider sharing on social media. Please also share with your friends, family and church. The journey isn't over yet.
Facebook:
http://facebook.com/mrsemilyhopper
Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/mrsemilyhopper
All our love,
Mark, Emily and Mia Hopper
Back in 2016, when I was 32 weeks pregnant with my daughter; I discovered a mass in my left breast. At that time, it was about the size of a golf ball and when I asked three different OB/GYN physicians about it over the course of my final month of pregnancy, they all assured me of the same thing: it was most likely a blocked milk duct & not to worry, "it’s normal and will go away after you’re done breastfeeding". They didn't do a breast exam or any kind of follow up, and being a first time mom who trusted the doctor who helped us get pregnant after struggling for two years, I kept telling myself it would go away like they said & tried not to worry about it.
Fast forward almost a year and a half later - I woke up one morning with lymph node pain in my left armpit. I thought it was strange, but when I woke up the next morning & couldn't put my arm down because of the pain, I knew something was wrong. I went in that same day for an exam & the provider (a woman I had never seen before) quickly ordered a breast ultrasound. Immediately upon seeing the abnormality on the ultrasound, they did a breast biopsy. I will never forget that ultrasound :( A few days later I got the call confirming that I had breast cancer. Had I been diagnosed when I should have, I would have been 29 years old at diagnosis.
Since my diagnosis, I've had:
- “port placement" surgery
- (2) PET scans
- (2) Echocardiograms
- (4) rounds of AC chemotherapy
- Surgery to remove a cyst that had developed on my tailbone
- (9) rounds of Taxol chemotherapy
- Carried and wore a wound vac on my tailbone 24 hours a day for 4 months (because chemo weakened my immune system to the point that my surgery incision couldn't heal)
- Had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction (11/6/17)
- 30 rounds of radiation
- Brain MRI
- Started 6 months of chemotherapy pills on 3/5.
WHY I'M FUNDRAISING
This experience has been extremely hard for me in many unseen ways. Not just physically but emotionally and financially as well. We've been living paycheck to paycheck because we have our normal living expenses (groceries, diapers, gas, utility, rent, etc). but we also have numerous other random costs associated with a cancer diagnosis.
Please know that a donation in any amount, gas/grocery cards, pullups (size 3T-4T), prayers, good vibes & sharing our story is appreciated and cherished greatly. To the numerous people who have supported us in our journey, there are no words for how thankful we are.
In addition to this fundraiser, we ask for specific prayers that my cancer does not recur and that I have little side effects with my new oral chemo.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read our story. You can follow my story through Facebook or on Instagram. If our story has touched your heart or life in any way, please consider sharing on social media. Please also share with your friends, family and church. The journey isn't over yet.
Facebook:
http://facebook.com/mrsemilyhopper
Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/mrsemilyhopper
All our love,
Mark, Emily and Mia Hopper
Organizer and beneficiary
Emily Hopper
Organizer
Kaukauna, WI
Emily Hopper
Beneficiary
