Emily's Cancer Fight
Donation protected
In March 2017, Emily, was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma or Bile Duct Cancer. She had extensive surgery, followed by chemo for 3 months and radiation for 1 month, multiple doctor appointments and scans every 90 days. Every scan post surgery was clean. Emily, a registered nurse was able to return to work in Sept 2017 when her doctors cleared her.
This July 2018, after a follow up scan was done, our worst fear was true, her cancer had come back. This time it was back in the liver, head of the pancreas, multiple spots on her lungs and since she was complaining of arm pain, they wanted to do a bone scan. Unfortunately, the bone scan revealed that the cancer had metastasized to her right humerus. We were told to go see an orthopedic surgeon, who advised that since the cancer ate through 75% of the bone making it very fragile and could break from any little pressure, a rod would need to be placed to stabilize the arm. 5 days later, she underwent another surgery to battle this cancer.
Two weeks post op she was allowed to start chemo. This time the plan was to do 3 rounds of treatments and then another scan to see how it is responding. 10 radiation treatments to the arm would start after the chemo ended. The tumors showed slight response to the chemo. We decided at this time it was necessary to get 3rd and 4th opinions on possible treatment options, since starting a new chemotherapy drug wouldn't guarantee the response that she needs.
After appointments at both MSK in NYC and Johns Hopkins in MD we were told about a trial that they were running at Johns Hopkins and it was only open to a select few patients. The doctor felt this is the best option at this time and opens the door into fighting this aggressive cancer with Immunotherapy. Since Emily is a young and healthy woman, she has the potential to be a great candidate.
At this time Emily is insured by her employer, however the insurance is covering a very limited portion of the clinical trial. We discussed the ramifications to our family of taking on this trial, however I am not willing to forgo Emily having this treatment. We are solely responsible for the cost of the clinical trial, which is quite a hefty amount of money in addition to traveling to Baltimore every 2 weeks for infusions, biopsies, Dr appointments and lab work.
My warrior wife of 18 years, mother of our two wonderful children ages 13 and 15, deserves every chance to see her children grow up and to live out the life that we planned so many years ago. This is where we all come in. Miracles are happening every day and I am asking for you to help us so that Emily has a chance at her own miracle.
This July 2018, after a follow up scan was done, our worst fear was true, her cancer had come back. This time it was back in the liver, head of the pancreas, multiple spots on her lungs and since she was complaining of arm pain, they wanted to do a bone scan. Unfortunately, the bone scan revealed that the cancer had metastasized to her right humerus. We were told to go see an orthopedic surgeon, who advised that since the cancer ate through 75% of the bone making it very fragile and could break from any little pressure, a rod would need to be placed to stabilize the arm. 5 days later, she underwent another surgery to battle this cancer.
Two weeks post op she was allowed to start chemo. This time the plan was to do 3 rounds of treatments and then another scan to see how it is responding. 10 radiation treatments to the arm would start after the chemo ended. The tumors showed slight response to the chemo. We decided at this time it was necessary to get 3rd and 4th opinions on possible treatment options, since starting a new chemotherapy drug wouldn't guarantee the response that she needs.
After appointments at both MSK in NYC and Johns Hopkins in MD we were told about a trial that they were running at Johns Hopkins and it was only open to a select few patients. The doctor felt this is the best option at this time and opens the door into fighting this aggressive cancer with Immunotherapy. Since Emily is a young and healthy woman, she has the potential to be a great candidate.
At this time Emily is insured by her employer, however the insurance is covering a very limited portion of the clinical trial. We discussed the ramifications to our family of taking on this trial, however I am not willing to forgo Emily having this treatment. We are solely responsible for the cost of the clinical trial, which is quite a hefty amount of money in addition to traveling to Baltimore every 2 weeks for infusions, biopsies, Dr appointments and lab work.
My warrior wife of 18 years, mother of our two wonderful children ages 13 and 15, deserves every chance to see her children grow up and to live out the life that we planned so many years ago. This is where we all come in. Miracles are happening every day and I am asking for you to help us so that Emily has a chance at her own miracle.
Organizer
Joseph E
Organizer
Allentown, PA
