Carmen Buechel-Hartmann Breast Cancer Battle

Our beloved Carmen received a devastating diagnosis this month of Stage 4 breast cancer.  This diagnosis came with the bitter news that it had spread to her clavicle, bilateral hips, ribs, lumbar spine and liver.    We all know Carmen is up for any fight and would battle this with voracity but the sad news kept coming.  

Her oncologists were very clear that this would be a terminal diagnosis.  Carmen received this information in stride and has developed what she now calls her cancer humor.  "I guess I have an expiration date" she joked with me during lunch.  She knew after watching her father suffer with stage 4 cancer with bone metastasis that she was living on borrowed time.  Thankfully, during a follow up visit her oncologist was able the spare her the quick fate of her father.   Carmen was told this was still a terminal diagnosis but there are some new medications available to give Carmen some more time.  Although shockingly expensive, these new medications will extend her life another 2 years.  

For those of you that don't know Carmen well she has an adventurous spirit.  She has lived and worked as a Registered Nurse most of her adult life.   We joke at work that she is our international woman of mystery.  
Carmen grew up in Montpellier France, attended University in Berlin and spent part of her childhood in China.  She worked as a travel nurse before finally becoming a full time resident of Bainbridge Island in Washington State.  It was a long way from her family in Germany and France,  but Carmen always knew she wanted to live where she could commute by boat everyday, have the bustle of the city close by but come home to peace and solitude after her stressful days at Harborview Medical Center in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit.  

I asked Carmen to write a little bit about what she would want me to relay to everyone.  She is stoic and strong beyond belief.  This is very difficult for her to ask for help but here are her words.....

"I have bilateral breast cancer ( different cancer in each breast) , with metastasis to my bones, spine ( with compound fracture ),liver . That makes me a stage IV  cancer/ terminal . MRI spine and brain pending. Medication is hormonal treatment and gene targeting, to help stop the cancer from growing and infusions to keep my bones strong. One of my medications is very expensive ($15000 a month) we are working with the insurance company on that, so this amount is not final. The year is almost over and need to pay deductible, and the bills for all the scans and Doctors I have seen. I need to trade my favorite Jeep in since I can not afford the monthly payment. I really want to go to my daughter and family. I won’t be able to sit the whole time, need lying down time ( that’s first class) . I want to see the northern lights in Iceland, be in the mountains in the snow, spent some time at a beautiful beach. Spend quality time with friends, enjoy life as best as can be, have some adventures with my friends and family.

This is pretty much my story

I love you"


Please give what you can.  Carmen would also be appreciative to her coworkers who could donate any personal holidays, sick time or would want to share a trip or adventure with her.   Let's all help make a life that has been lived well end well.  


With gratitude and thanks in advance, 


Carmen!