Caitlin's Courageous Fight: Stage 4
Donation protected
On Christmas Eve of 2017 Cailtin was diagnosed with Stage 4 synovial and spindle cell cancer that is located in her abdomen and lungs. During the biopsy, an artery was cut, she lost 4 units of blood, had to have emergency surgery and a chest tube for a week. Originally slated to have chemo in Grand Junction, her liver and kidney functions were abnormal so she was taken by ambulance to UC Health Denver. Still recovering from her emergency surgery, Caitlin began her first round of Chemo. Now two treatments into therapy, next week she makes her third trip. Chemo treatment is very hard on the body, and she has had two blood transfusions, numerous CT scans and blood draws, multiple hospital stays, a catheter for the last 4 weeks, a regiment of prescription medications and most recently oxygen.
There is good news. The two cycles of chemo have caused the smaller lung tumors to disappear and shrunk the larger ones.
Up until her diagnosis she was studying to be a Physical Therapy Assistant and was disappointed that she would have to put her studies on hold. Her love for helping other people led her to this vocation. Through the understanding of her teachers and program administrators she will be able to continue the program at Concorde Career College via Skype during her treatment. Cailtin has had such an optimistic and positive attitude since learning about her diagnosis. She continues to be a fighter every step of the way, and we are so proud of her. This news has definitely been life altering for all of us but she is a constant reminder of how blessed we are. We will continue to update everyone as often as possible.
Caitlin obviously had to stop working, and the costs of the treatment, the 4-hour one-way trips to Denver and back, along with special diet considerations grow. Thank you everyone for your prayers, support, donations and sharing this. It truly means the world to our family.
What the donations will be used for:
In addition to conventional treatment, she would also like to do some alternative therapies to fight this from every angle possible. The donations will also be used to help pay for Caitlin's monthly bills, gas, food, possible abdominal surgery in the future, medical prescriptions, travel expenses and other medical expenses that Caitlin receives along the way.
There is good news. The two cycles of chemo have caused the smaller lung tumors to disappear and shrunk the larger ones.
Up until her diagnosis she was studying to be a Physical Therapy Assistant and was disappointed that she would have to put her studies on hold. Her love for helping other people led her to this vocation. Through the understanding of her teachers and program administrators she will be able to continue the program at Concorde Career College via Skype during her treatment. Cailtin has had such an optimistic and positive attitude since learning about her diagnosis. She continues to be a fighter every step of the way, and we are so proud of her. This news has definitely been life altering for all of us but she is a constant reminder of how blessed we are. We will continue to update everyone as often as possible.
Caitlin obviously had to stop working, and the costs of the treatment, the 4-hour one-way trips to Denver and back, along with special diet considerations grow. Thank you everyone for your prayers, support, donations and sharing this. It truly means the world to our family.
What the donations will be used for:
In addition to conventional treatment, she would also like to do some alternative therapies to fight this from every angle possible. The donations will also be used to help pay for Caitlin's monthly bills, gas, food, possible abdominal surgery in the future, medical prescriptions, travel expenses and other medical expenses that Caitlin receives along the way.
Organizer
Kayla Nickerson
Organizer
Grand Junction, CO
