Support Lisa's Journey to Health

Update from Erin: Lisa had her surgery yesterday, 10/28, with an excellent oncological surgeon who said everything went well. In addition to removing the remaining breast tissue on both sides, they also took 4-5 lymph nodes. While we wait for pathology results, Lisa is home and resting, attempting to manage her pain, but in good spirits despite everything. We're looking forward to her follow-up appointment late next week and hopefully getting her surgical drains removed before then. The day before her surgery, we celebrated Waverly's first birthday surrounded by so many supportive friends and family members, and the generosity of those near and far continues to astound us. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for every word, hug, and dollar. We love you!

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Early this summer, Lisa shared with me that Erin, her wife, was moving through the process of adopting their children. In a same-sex marriage and with Lisa as the biological mother, Erin had no legal parental rights to her own children. But this isn't a story about how far our country still has to go to honor and protect all families - this is a story about why. When Lisa shared this with me, she also shared her concern that if anything ever happened to her, Erin was not guaranteed any custody rights to their children. Fast forward to a few weeks later.

On August 22nd, with the support of Erin and her family, Lisa had top surgery- surgery to remove her breasts. This was something she wanted for many years and after two pregnancies and breastfeeding both of her girls - it felt like this was the right time to finally feel like herself in her own body.

Exactly one week later on August 29th, Lisa had a follow-up appointment. She and Erin were also celebrating 10 years together. At this appointment, they learned that pathology showed breast cancer in the removed tissue.

With this news, an aggressive treatment plan was developed: radiation, more surgery, and hormone therapy. She would have to wait at least six weeks to recover from surgery before she could begin 16-20 consecutive days of radiation, then thereafter schedule a surgery to have Lisa's ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, and take hormone therapy for 5 years.

In September, while Lisa was deep into those weeks of healing, Erin officially adopted Tess and Waverly. A bittersweet bright spot in an uncertain time.

In early October, Lisa was cleared to lift more than 5 pounds, resume normal activity, and return to work while also preparing for radiation, which included a radiation simulation appointment so they could get everything aligned to target the correct areas. This same day, Lisa also had an appointment with her oncologist about a lump about 1 inch above her scar line on her left side. She was told it was unlikely to be anything of concern, but she chose to get it biopsied to be safe. The biopsy took place on October 14th and two days later she was informed that it was (still) positive for breast cancer. The first surgery did not remove everything as they had hoped, and a new tumor was confirmed.

With this news, radiation has been put on hold, and Lisa is now booked for a second surgery on October 28th to remove all of the remaining breast tissue and to test several lymph nodes to check to see if the cancer has spread. She will again require 6 weeks of no lifting, no carrying her babies, and no work.

The silver lining of catching this early is palpable AND this diagnosis doesn't come without financial hardship. Lisa will be without a paycheck for close to three months before the next step of her treatment can begin. Erin is taking her turn holding up the Donahues' sky - caring for their babies, Tess, 2, and Waverly, not yet 1. The Donahue family deserves one less burden on their shoulders. Give what you can, if you can, so Lisa, Erin and their family, can focus on health and healing.