Medical Expenses for Alana & Family

Hi everyone, Alana here... Whew, this is tough for me to write, so bear with me. When I was 31 weeks pregnant with my baby girl, I found out news that I never expected, I learned that I had breast cancer. As you can imagine, at a time that I was relishing in all the "I'm about to be a mom" and “I’ve waited my whole life for this” bliss, things began to shift for me with this news. Of course I was still excited about being a mom, but I realized that I was about to learn the meaning of what fighting for my baby meant. I learned that the cancer was aggressive and it had already spread to my lymph nodes making it invasive carcinoma with mixed ductal and lobular features, metastatic carcinoma ER+/PR+ stage 3 and grade 3. After speaking with my doctor, we had a very intense treatment plan which involved delivering my daughter, Kami, 6 weeks early and make decisions most would have months to years to make and we had to in days. The next steps would be starting AC/T dose dense chemo, followed by surgery and then completing 20 rounds of radiation and 10 years of hormone therapy. This coming from a high functioning independent woman who never even gets a cold. If you feel something, say something. Advocate for yourself and go get a mammogram.

I am now at a point where I have completed 3 months of treatment 6/8 and have felt the weight of it all. I have finally come to a place (with some help with therapy) where I am comfortable accepting the help that we are so dearly in need of. While it was hard for me to get to this place of accepting help, I realized by not wanting to accept it could mean that I was preventing someone else the ability to be of service to someone in need. And right now, I am that person in need. Other times, I have been that person wanting to help and would do anything to help where I can. This perspective helped me come to a place of acceptance for our small but mighty family.

Bobby, my wonderful husband & partner through all of this, has been taking unpaid FMLA during this process, so that he can be my full time caretaker as well as caring for our newborn. We could have never planned for any of this and it has been hard to adjust to all of the things that have come our way but we have been adjusting nonetheless. We are learning the true meaning of the saying "it takes a village". We are asking for donations and if you are reading this and feel inclined to donate, first thank you from the bottom of my heart. But, second, I want you to know where your funds are aiding us. You will be helping with expenses incurred during the labor and delivery of baby Kami under the high risk unit at OU children’s hospital. You will also be helping with breast cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, hormone therapy, and cold capping. On top of these expenses, this will help with gas, medical bills, housing during radiation, therapy, wigs, and permanent hand/feet neuropathy prevention. You will also be helping with Kami's formula and breast milk, since being diagnosed, I have been unable to breastfeed.

To end an incredibly tough year Bobby and I both got laid off from our employer of 15 years (The Boldt Company) right before Christmas. How can they sleep at night?

Anything you donate is and will be greatly appreciated. One thing that I have realized throughout this experience is how incredibly blessed I am to be surrounded by my family and friends during this time. I feel very fortunate to be a part of a small town and community in Oklahoma where people want to show their love and help out wherever they can. If you have made it this far by reading, thank you for taking the time to hear my story. If you cannot donate anything, please take the time to pray for me as I continue my battle with this disease. I feel your prayers, my family especially feels your prayers, and they are appreciated more than you will ever know.

Alana, Bobby, and Kami