Help Christine Conquer Cancer
Donation protected
Hello All - My very good friend Christine has very recently been diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer. I will share her words below, but from me I must share - Christine is one of the most beautiful women I have had the privilege of befriending in my 34 years on earth. She has a 7-year-old son (an adorable spitting image of her), whom she raises on her own while working a full-time job with JetBlue. As we all know, the Aviation Industry has taken a hit during the COVID crisis - as a result, Christine's salary has been substantially decreased. Her medical bills for surgery and treatment are estimated to amount to between $20K - $40K out-of-pocket. I've started this campaign to support an incredible woman who has shown me, and many others, what it means to be a truly loving, accepting and patient human being, even in the most trying of circumstances. Let's come together in these trying circumstances and be there for Christine, as she's always been there for us.
From Christine:
On September 17th I was in a car accident. I was rear-ended on the freeway and was pushed into the car in front of me. While it could have been a lot worse, this day set forth a chain reaction of what was to come.
The following day I was in a lot of pain. The whiplash I suffered caused a pinched nerve and my range of motion in my neck was incredibly limited. With the advice of a good friend's father, I reluctantly went to the emergency room. There, the wonderful staff went through the standard procedure of checking me out. This included a CT scan to determine if anything in my neck was broken.
The results from the CT scan were clear for any breaks in my vertebrae. I was relieved. However on the scan the doctor found a nodule on my thyroid. He recommended additional imaging on a non-emergent basis to rule out something (at the time I didn’t know what).
So a few days later I go in for my ultrasound and wait for the results. My general practitioner contacts me to say on the TI-RADS scale I’m a 4. TI-RADS is a 5 point classification to determine the risk of cancer in thyroid nodules based on ultrasound characteristics. She tells me given how small my nodule is she isn’t concerned and we can use imaging for the next 5 years to monitor it’s size. She says if I want a biopsy we can do that as well, but it is entirely up to me.
Now if you know me you likely know my father passed away from stomach and esophageal cancer when I was a teenager. My previous experience with cancer has always told me catch it as early as possible. Don’t wait! So after consulting with my closest family and friends I decided to do the biopsy.
On Monday the 12th, Indigenous People’s Day (I won’t say Columbus Day) I had my biopsy. I’d like to say the procedure was painless but it wasn’t. After about an hour or so I was released from my outpatient treatment and told in 3 days I would receive the results. The horrible waiting game began.
I tried as best as I could to continue life “normally” but nothing about my head space was normal. On the 15th of October at 7:57 in the morning my doctor called me.
I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer
In that moment my world crashed to a halt. As a single mom who’s own parent died from cancer, all I could think about was my little boy.
I have chosen not to tell my 7 year old son the extend of my diagnosis. Instead, in an effort to persevere his innocence a little longer, I will tell him enough so he knows the basics but not enough to scare him. I will not use the word cancer until I have to.
I am working with an endocrinologist to discuss my treatment plan. This will likely include partial or total removal of my thyroid, radiation (in some form), and life long medication. The estimated cost for thyroid cancer treatment is $20,000-$40,000.
I’m grateful for the car accident that possibly saved my life.
I’ve been told out of all of the cancers to get papillary thyroid cancer has a high survival rate. Most of you know I’m a fighter (not physically) but I fight for what I believe in and I’m going to now fight for my life.
However the medical bills are piling up.
As a single mom every dollar counts. I feel strange asking for help in this way but so many people are asking what they can do and the truth is this is what I need help with.
I am truly grateful for any and all support (monetary or otherwise).
All my love.
Christine
From Christine:
On September 17th I was in a car accident. I was rear-ended on the freeway and was pushed into the car in front of me. While it could have been a lot worse, this day set forth a chain reaction of what was to come.
The following day I was in a lot of pain. The whiplash I suffered caused a pinched nerve and my range of motion in my neck was incredibly limited. With the advice of a good friend's father, I reluctantly went to the emergency room. There, the wonderful staff went through the standard procedure of checking me out. This included a CT scan to determine if anything in my neck was broken.
The results from the CT scan were clear for any breaks in my vertebrae. I was relieved. However on the scan the doctor found a nodule on my thyroid. He recommended additional imaging on a non-emergent basis to rule out something (at the time I didn’t know what).
So a few days later I go in for my ultrasound and wait for the results. My general practitioner contacts me to say on the TI-RADS scale I’m a 4. TI-RADS is a 5 point classification to determine the risk of cancer in thyroid nodules based on ultrasound characteristics. She tells me given how small my nodule is she isn’t concerned and we can use imaging for the next 5 years to monitor it’s size. She says if I want a biopsy we can do that as well, but it is entirely up to me.
Now if you know me you likely know my father passed away from stomach and esophageal cancer when I was a teenager. My previous experience with cancer has always told me catch it as early as possible. Don’t wait! So after consulting with my closest family and friends I decided to do the biopsy.
On Monday the 12th, Indigenous People’s Day (I won’t say Columbus Day) I had my biopsy. I’d like to say the procedure was painless but it wasn’t. After about an hour or so I was released from my outpatient treatment and told in 3 days I would receive the results. The horrible waiting game began.
I tried as best as I could to continue life “normally” but nothing about my head space was normal. On the 15th of October at 7:57 in the morning my doctor called me.
I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer
In that moment my world crashed to a halt. As a single mom who’s own parent died from cancer, all I could think about was my little boy.
I have chosen not to tell my 7 year old son the extend of my diagnosis. Instead, in an effort to persevere his innocence a little longer, I will tell him enough so he knows the basics but not enough to scare him. I will not use the word cancer until I have to.
I am working with an endocrinologist to discuss my treatment plan. This will likely include partial or total removal of my thyroid, radiation (in some form), and life long medication. The estimated cost for thyroid cancer treatment is $20,000-$40,000.
I’m grateful for the car accident that possibly saved my life.
I’ve been told out of all of the cancers to get papillary thyroid cancer has a high survival rate. Most of you know I’m a fighter (not physically) but I fight for what I believe in and I’m going to now fight for my life.
However the medical bills are piling up.
As a single mom every dollar counts. I feel strange asking for help in this way but so many people are asking what they can do and the truth is this is what I need help with.
I am truly grateful for any and all support (monetary or otherwise).
All my love.
Christine
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathryn Womer
Organizer
San Jose, CA
Christine Young
Beneficiary