Christen's Courage- Fighting Cancer

Christen Schlorff Aylesworth of Franklin, PA , the devoted 42 year old mother of two vibrant young women, Taylor (19) and Haley (18) Aylesworth,  absolutely refused to accept the diagnosis "terminal"!  That was the grim reality recently posed by her oncologist . She was diagnosed with liver cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) in November 2017 and has been undergoing chemotherapy since December 2017 in attempts to reduce the size and orientation of her tumor to major vital blood vessels.   After several months of agonizing pain and suffering due to the effects of chemo, Christen's oncologist informed her that it was not enough to allow the life saving surgery she needed to prevent cancer from spreading throughout her body.  Instead of accepting that "terminal" fate, Christen stood up and shouted at her doctor that she had too much to fight for and needed to be there for her daughters.  She demanded another opinion and Thank God she did!!! Her case was then presented to a board of surgeons at UMPC and a wonderful, courageous surgeon and liver transplant specialist, Dr. Abhinav Humar spoke with confidence that he could provide the life saving surgery she desperately needs. 

Christen is undergoing major surgery on Friday May 25, 2018. Dr. Humar will basically transplant the healthy portions of her liver after  harvesting her own veins and arteries from her leg. Those vessels will be used to rebuild the portions of her Inferior Vena Cava that the tumor has its grasp on.  She will also have a portion of her small bowel used to replace the intra-hepatic bile duct where her cancer originated. 

Dr. Humar has commented to Christen that the chemotherapy was vital to hold off the tumor growth, however the type of tumor is far too strong and if she had not stood up for herself and caused her file to cross his desk the tumor would have soon won the battle. Instead, with this dramatic life-saving surgery Christen is determined to win this fight!  The two met not a moment too soon and he insisted that her surgery happen immediately! 

Christen has already been unable to work for several months due to the devastating effects of chemotherapy on her overall health and immune system.  This dramatic self-transplant liver surgery is only the first step in the long road toward recovery. She will be in the hospital for at least 3 weeks for the transplant team to monitor her response and initial progress. In addition she will need further chemotherapy for 3-6 months and is facing several more months before any possibility for return to work. 

Medical and family expenses add up quickly!  After already being unable to work for several months, Christen will soon be faced with the cost of payments for her insurance coverage in addition to the co-pays and deductibles. 

Your contributions will make a positive impact toward Christen's road to recovery and help her to embrace the future with confidence, faith and hope.