Chrissy Fights Cancer!

On September 17, 2018, Chrissy got a call that tests she'd had done had come back cancerous; she had no idea what kind exactly (was told Endometrial Cancer), how bad or any details except that it is in her uterus. A surgery date for a full hysterectomy was initially set for October 2nd; family wasn't thrilled with waiting 2 weeks, so after being persistent, a new surgery date was set for September 25, 2018.  Before the surgery, Chrissy needed to do a CT scan to pinpoint exactly where the cancer was so the surgeon could make a better decision when approaching the operation. The scan results came back as Cancer in the Uterus and a swollen lymph node; she needed to wait until an appointment before surgery to know exactly what it meant.  On Tuesday September 25th at 8:30 am, Chrissy saw a new Oncologist that specializes in Gynecological Cancers, her name is Dr. Higdon; she changed the diagnosis to Carcinoma of the Cervix. She did an exam and determined that it was unsafe to proceed with surgery because her cervix was too swollen and doing surgery would not only cause the cancer to spread but create irreversible damage to other areas surrounding her uterus and cervix. Dr. Higdon decided the best route is to push forward with radiation and chemotherapy THEN do a hysterectomy so long as the cancer has shrunk. Dr. Higdon referred Chrissy to a Radiologist that would give her her radiation treatments, this doctors name is Dr. Carlson and she was able to get her in immediately.  At 11:00 am, Chrissy saw Dr. Carlson and once again things changed. Chrissy's diagnosis was changed to Stage 3 Adenocarcinoma but whether it is of the Uterus or Cervix is unsure. A second opinion was asked of the Mayo Clinic to determine where the cancer started. She also informed that one lymph node and possibly a second is cancerous as well. Dr. Carlson decided that Chrissy needs 25 rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, Monday through Friday (equals 5 weeks). At around 4 weeks, Chrissy will receive internal radiation in addition to external radiation and chemotherapy.  Right now, she has a full chance of being cured; if more than one lymph node is compromised she will have a 60% chance of being cured BUT can still live a full life in remission.  Treatments are set to begin October 8, 2018; before then, Chrissy will receive an MRI of the pelvis, CT of the chest, full body PET scan, meet her chemotherapy doctor and have a meeting with her team of doctors to come up with a full plan of action on fighting the cancer. She will also find out if the cancer is Adenocarcinoma of the Cervix or Uterus and if it has spread beyond the one lymph node.  Chrissy's treatments will be Monday through Friday in Grand Junction, Colorado. They will last 5 weeks, then she may receive a hysterectomy and possibly another few rounds of chemotherapy afterward. Her facility that's giving treatments is 2 hours from her home in Nucla, Colorado and Moab, Utah; a 4 hour round trip for 30 minutes of treatments, 5 days a week.  Chrissy will hopefully be in housing provided by St. Mary's hospital during the week and home on weekends. Due to Chrissy being unable to fully work her job as an educator in a school in Nucla, she will need all the help she can get (both financially and spiritually). Her family is raising money to help pay for fuel, lodging, food and medical expenses not covered by insurance, as well as any emergency expense that may arise. We are starting at $10,000 but this amount may increase or decrease depending on needs.  The smallest donation helps immensely, even only $1! If anything, please share this request!  We will update on Chrissy's facebook group and here as much as possible and whenever we receive new information as well as updates on treatments.  Search "Chrissy's Fight" on Facebook.  Thank you for the thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement during this trying time!