UPDATE 2/5/24 from Courtney:

There is a thyroid cancer center in Florida that has accepted my case as well as a research clinic in Texas (that one is way out of the question, they have great cure rates, but the meds are $35k a month and no insurance) and Jake and I have been working out how we can afford my travels as well as take someone with me and ensure childcare back home. So it’s just been weighing on me. Anyway, that prayer I prayed was to specifically stop worrying about all the costs and trust that if it’s the Lords will for me to go to Florida then trust He will provide.

I did have my ultrasound last week, I’m still waiting for my official report but the tech knows me so well at this point that she showed me the mass. It’s classic cancer and checked all the boxes. It’s also big enough that we could confirm this is what’s causing my balance issues and jaw pain. My labs have been wonky, I’m anemic, my bone marrow counts are terrible and my cancer markers are still trending up. I see Dr Martin over in bardstown again next week, he was going to be doing some research and reaching out to some colleagues about my case. Fingers crossed they came up with something besides chemo

I’m just tired all the time again. And the pain is stupid. But I’m still going!

Let’s rally around Courtney and her family to help her out again!!!

When this all started…Hi! My name is Kristen Kelley. I am a former teacher of Courtney Hagenbuch’s. Courtney is currently fighting an ongoing battle with cancer. She has metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma with diffuse sclerosing variant and distant metastasis.

She’s found out that her cancer has reached the last stage. It has fully metastasized in what they call “distant metastasis”. It’s in her bones, in her lymph nodes near her brain and in her chest. Her major organs are still clear at this point and her labs show that she is strong enough to fight the fight that is coming.

Cleveland Clinic is amazing and are able to offer more treatment options including clinical trials. Right now they are planning another round of RAI with several rounds of radiation. She’ll do chemo based on how she respond to those treatments and clinical trials as doctors see beneficial.

Unfortunately, this has caused more debt than 30 year old parents are capable of handling. Their medical bills are nearing $100k and bills are starting to get behind. Not to mention, her meds have been running $1,000 per month. It’s just too much to handle.

I am asking you to help in any way big or small that you can. I’m asking you to share this. I’m asking you to pray daily for Courtney and her family. I’ve set a goal of $10k but that is just the beginning of what this family truly needs. Please give as you can and bless you for what you do!