Emily Augenstein Cancer Surgery

Emily is a three-time cancer survivor who will now have to face cancer for a fourth time. Her journey started in 2012 when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After months of chemotherapy and a failed Stem Cell Transplant, doctors at Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. gave her only weeks to live. Emily and her husband had to quickly fly to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for a second opinion and a hope for treatment. They found hope in a clinical trial that saved Emily’s life along with a Bone Marrow Transplant. However, that transplant also failed and another clinical trial was started. Within a year, the Leukemia came back and infiltrated Emily’s brain and spinal fluid. She underwent a month of radiation and a year of chemotherapy through spinal taps but permanently lost vision in   her right eye. Emily had to have both knees and both hips replaced since then due to long term effects of steroids and chemotherapy. Emily will eventually need ankle replacements and elbow replacements as well.

 

Throughout this roller coaster, Emily has remained positive and upbeat and has even offered to be a source for other patients to contact her for support along their course of treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center.  She is always smiling and looking for the bright spots in life and champions a message of hope. Emily serves as an inspiration to everyone whose lives she has touched, even people she has never met.  Her husband Jason has been by her side supporting her from the start with complete love and devotion.



Emily’s Leukemia has been in remission for several years but now she faces a new battle with cancer. Emily was diagnosed with a rare form of squamous cell carcinoma; a small tumor near the female reproductive organs. Treatment options require surgery to remove the tumor and some lymph nodes along with radiation and chemotherapy treatments that could last as much as 5 days a week for 4 to 6 weeks.

A prolonged battle with cancer will take its toll on any family. Emily is a rock and her strong faith along with her sunny disposition keeps the family going. Her family is helping as much as they can to shoulder the burden of the costs associated with travel, medical bills, food, etc. However, growing medical bills and constant travel back and forth to MD Anderson are draining their resources. Any amount you can give will help and would be greatly appreciated as Emily’s new battle with cancer is just starting. Please keep Emily, her husband Jason and family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

 

You can read Emily's full story here:

https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/cancerwise/acute-myeloid-leukemia-survivor-finds-hope-with-clinical-trials.h00-159229668.html