Kristy Byers - Mesothelioma

On August 19, 2019, 37 year old Kristy Martin was diagnosed with Malignant Stage 4 Mesothelioma Cancer. This was after almost two months in the hospital, for what we thought was issues with blood clots. Her wife Judy Byers, and her 11 year old daughter Journie Koltusky are doing their very best to support Kristy and are looking forward to celebrating their one year wedding anniversary on September 1st. 

Her journey began in October of 2016 when she was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis.  It is an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, but mostly the lungs and lymph glands. In people with sarcoidosis, abnormal masses or nodules consisting of inflamed tissues form in certain organs of the body. She was prescribed daily steroid treatment.

She spent the next two years experiencing multiple flare ups that caused extreme pain within her stomach that often resulted in her being unable to eat. 

In October of 2018 we were told that Kristy was producing multiple blood clots. As a result she now required daily injections to ensure they did not cause any adverse side effects. 

In December of 2018 she was hospitalized as a result of the blood clots. At this time she was put on more aggressive Blood Clot therapy. This appeared to work and kept her symptoms somewhat under control until July of this year.  

 In a quest to find some answers, for the next 7 weeks she had a number of Ultrasounds, MRI's, two surgeries, a Mammogram, Multiple Biopsies, and finally a Pet Scan.  Within this time frame she lost over 50 pounds.

 Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the protective lining that surrounds the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum) after asbestos fibres are inhaled. They transform from the inflammation, scarring and genetic damage caused when they become lodged in the protective lining of the organ. Mesothelioma requires an exposure to asbestos fibres greater than usual background exposure. Kristy being 37 years old, and did not fit the typical profile of a mesothelioma, as the average age of diagnosis of mesothelioma is 59 years old.  Mesothelioma develops many many years after exposure - typically 30 or more years later. This is part of the reason her physicians had such a difficult time diagnosing her.

Unfortunately Kristy’s cancer has been diagnosed at stage 4, which is not good.  However if you know Kristy, she is a fighter! Kristy’s cell type is called sarcamatoid, which is the most aggressive kind of meso. Regrettably Kristy’s cancer has also spread to other organs. We now wait for the next steps from the Oncologist where they will determine what her treatment regime will consist of. As you can probably imagine, treatment and rehabilitation will be extensive, and although Alberta Health does cover many of the medical costs, there will  be expenses not covered (especially some of the medicines Kristy will require).

 This fundraiser is aimed at raising some extra funds for the long road Kristy and Judy have ahead of them, so maybe Kristy has one less thing to worry about (money).  All donations will go directly help with uncovered medical expenses and lost wages, etc.

 
Thank you all for reading this, and even if you can’t or don’t wish to donate, prayers are always appreciated and please click that share button.