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Hi, my name is Missy. Cari and I have been best friends for 30 or so years. We have shared our lives with each other since we were in the 5th grade. Together we have conquered many things. But, this obstacle is far too big for us to conquer alone which is why I am asking for your help.

Cari is 39 years old and has her 2 children that live with her and 3 older step children and their father that do not. Cari was officially diagnosed with cancer on August 11, 2015 after being in the hospital for 4 days. More specifically, Stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma of her left kidney, colon, and abdomen.

Cari immediately started a chemo regimen of:
1.) Infusions of chemo drugs called R-CHOP every 21 days for 6 cycles.
2.) 10 days of an oral chemo called Revlimid.
3.) 5 days of 100mg prednisone.
4.) Neulasta/Neupogen is given when her immune system bottoms out as a result of the chemotherapy killing her blood cells.

Cari then had surgery to place a port for administering the rest of her treatments. These treatments have made Cari very sick and unable to work most of the time. In August Cari started her 12 weeks of unpaid leave of absence and has only been able to work a handful of days since her diagnosis.

On November 3rd we got the results from Cari's PET scan that she had after her 5th round of chemo. The results were that Cari was currently in remission and there was no sign of any cancer in her body. We were so relieved and excited to hear this report!

3 days later, Cari was having her 6th and final round of chemo when she became so dizzy and nauseated. Her doctor ordered an MRI immediately following treatment. Cari and her Mom went straight to the hospital for the MRI and were told to remain at the hospital until the results were back from the test. Cari was then admitted into the hospital for yet another stay because the MRI results showed that she had inflammation at the base of her brain into her spine. A spinal tap was done in the middle of the night that would soon reveal that the cancer had spread to her Cerebrospinal Fluid(CSF).

Tuesday, November 10th Cari had surgery to place another port. The Ommaya Reservoir was placed under her scalp so she could start an new series of chemo being fed directly into her brain. This series consists of 6 more rounds of a new chemotherapy drug called Methotrexate.

In January Cari  starts to prepare for another huge procedure.  She will begin a new treatment where she will be confined to the hospital, in quarantine, for around 4 weeks for what we are told is called a Stem Cell Transplant of her own “clean” stem cells in hopes of eradication of any and all cancer.

Through all of this we have had faith in God that she will eventually be cancer free.

Cari's mom & dad have been very helpful! They have been paying her rent, utilities, and any other expenses that have arisen, but the needs are GROWING. They have been there for her and her kids as much as they can, when she has been too sick, weak, or in the hospital.  Help is needed in nearly every area to assist with keeping the family afloat & the children living as close to "normal" as possible. "Normal" as possible while their mother is being hospitalized & fighting to survive through a transplant. Cari is unable to work throughout such an in depth process. 

Please consider helping Cari and her children with any donation amount to use for practical, day to day expenses during this very difficult & challenging time.  She is very limited on actual care providers and care for the kids in almost every way.  Funds will also help to provide structure in efforts to minimize further distress on the kids well being. The goal is to have the basics covered so the focus can be on the fight. 

Thank you so much for reading and may God bless you always.

Missy