Donation protected
On August 5, 2016, Trish Trujillo was diagnosed with what we now know is Stage IIB, Grade 2, invasive infiltrating lobular carcinoma, and invasive ductal carcinoma resting in a bed of non-invasive DCIS.
Initial operating room pathology came back with a result of no evidence of cancer in the lymph system, so surgeons moved forward with DEIP flap reconstruction. Unfortunately, final pathology verified there was cancer in the axillary lymph nodes and in the internal mammary nodes. There was also indication cancer has broken out of the lymph system into surrounding tissue on the left side.
Lymph node dissections and DIEP surgery have Trish at approximately 5 weeks into a primary 8-week/total 3-4 month surgical recovery period. Following this recovery, she will need 1-2 minor surgeries to complete reconstruction.
Cancer in the lymph was a significant shock and disappointment as clear margins and nodes would have meant her treatment was complete with surgery. Given the final pathology, Trish has been considering all available treatment options to prevent further spread and growth of the remaining cancer.
Where treatment stands today:
**Her team of cancer specilists recommends a 6-month chemo cycle, followed by radiation when chemo is complete. Typically chemo would begin as soon as possible (4 weeks) post (non-DIEP) surgery. Chemo totally shuts down healing of even small cuts, bruises, etc., which poses a major obstacle for an immediate course of treatment given Trish's recovery status.
**Based on being 100% asymptomatic for lymph involvement (Mammograms, Ultrasounds, CT scans, and initial biopsies) doctors recommend a full body PET scan to determine if metastatic cancer exists in any other tissue, organs or bones, as there are specific differences in chemo for treatment for metastic vs non-metastatic cancer. The PET is scheduled and results will be posted when available.
After much prayer, research and review of all sources, Trish has made the decision to begin treament at a cancer clinic in Arizona. Trish 100% believes God is directing her path in this process and is praying for total healing through their treatments. She cannot afford to do nothing and risk further spread fo the disease while waiting for her body to heal.
While visiting the clinic earlier this month, Trish did one IV treatment and her Texas doctors were shocked to see the positive impact it had on her most significant open wound. As such, she has the guarded blessing of her oncologist to "go to Arizona and get well" before final decisions are made regarding chemo. The oncologist has agreed to leave her chemo start date open.
While United Health care, Cigna and Aetna have begun reimbursing a portion of treatment cost, Trish's insuance, Blue Cross blue Shield of Illinois, is not contracted with the clinic and will not reimburse costs.
Given the nature of Trish's cancer, her total treatment time will likely range between 6 - 8 months. The approximate cost of treatment each month is $6,000. She will also incur additional expenses in flying back to Texas approximately once a month to meet work obligations, scheduled doctor appointments, as well as starting new insurance deductibles and co-payments in 2017.
While always being there to help others, Trish is a strong independent woman who struggles to ask others to help her. She needs our help to ensure she is able to put cancer in remission for good!
She would never ask others to help where she hasn't already helped herself. She has reviewed and leveraged her liquid assets, made arrangement to rent a room from a friend to mitigate cost of living in Arizona, and is working to rent her home out while she is gone. Perhaps most difficult for her is the need to temporarily rehome Layla and Zuko.
Trish's faith and attitude remaim strong! She will provide regular updates and share specific details of this experience that show just how much God can bless us in spite of what at times seems to be insurmountable obstacles.
If you are able to give any amount, it will truly be appreciated. For those who aren't able to donate, our family asks you to share this post. Most important, we ask that you keep Trish in prayer each day for total healing, and for God to continue to open doors to bless her and others through this experience.
Initial operating room pathology came back with a result of no evidence of cancer in the lymph system, so surgeons moved forward with DEIP flap reconstruction. Unfortunately, final pathology verified there was cancer in the axillary lymph nodes and in the internal mammary nodes. There was also indication cancer has broken out of the lymph system into surrounding tissue on the left side.
Lymph node dissections and DIEP surgery have Trish at approximately 5 weeks into a primary 8-week/total 3-4 month surgical recovery period. Following this recovery, she will need 1-2 minor surgeries to complete reconstruction.
Cancer in the lymph was a significant shock and disappointment as clear margins and nodes would have meant her treatment was complete with surgery. Given the final pathology, Trish has been considering all available treatment options to prevent further spread and growth of the remaining cancer.
Where treatment stands today:
**Her team of cancer specilists recommends a 6-month chemo cycle, followed by radiation when chemo is complete. Typically chemo would begin as soon as possible (4 weeks) post (non-DIEP) surgery. Chemo totally shuts down healing of even small cuts, bruises, etc., which poses a major obstacle for an immediate course of treatment given Trish's recovery status.
**Based on being 100% asymptomatic for lymph involvement (Mammograms, Ultrasounds, CT scans, and initial biopsies) doctors recommend a full body PET scan to determine if metastatic cancer exists in any other tissue, organs or bones, as there are specific differences in chemo for treatment for metastic vs non-metastatic cancer. The PET is scheduled and results will be posted when available.
After much prayer, research and review of all sources, Trish has made the decision to begin treament at a cancer clinic in Arizona. Trish 100% believes God is directing her path in this process and is praying for total healing through their treatments. She cannot afford to do nothing and risk further spread fo the disease while waiting for her body to heal.
While visiting the clinic earlier this month, Trish did one IV treatment and her Texas doctors were shocked to see the positive impact it had on her most significant open wound. As such, she has the guarded blessing of her oncologist to "go to Arizona and get well" before final decisions are made regarding chemo. The oncologist has agreed to leave her chemo start date open.
While United Health care, Cigna and Aetna have begun reimbursing a portion of treatment cost, Trish's insuance, Blue Cross blue Shield of Illinois, is not contracted with the clinic and will not reimburse costs.
Given the nature of Trish's cancer, her total treatment time will likely range between 6 - 8 months. The approximate cost of treatment each month is $6,000. She will also incur additional expenses in flying back to Texas approximately once a month to meet work obligations, scheduled doctor appointments, as well as starting new insurance deductibles and co-payments in 2017.
While always being there to help others, Trish is a strong independent woman who struggles to ask others to help her. She needs our help to ensure she is able to put cancer in remission for good!
She would never ask others to help where she hasn't already helped herself. She has reviewed and leveraged her liquid assets, made arrangement to rent a room from a friend to mitigate cost of living in Arizona, and is working to rent her home out while she is gone. Perhaps most difficult for her is the need to temporarily rehome Layla and Zuko.
Trish's faith and attitude remaim strong! She will provide regular updates and share specific details of this experience that show just how much God can bless us in spite of what at times seems to be insurmountable obstacles.
If you are able to give any amount, it will truly be appreciated. For those who aren't able to donate, our family asks you to share this post. Most important, we ask that you keep Trish in prayer each day for total healing, and for God to continue to open doors to bless her and others through this experience.
Organizer and beneficiary
Annette Miller
Organizer
Centennial, CO
Trish Trujillo
Beneficiary