Hi, my name is Patrick. You may know my mom, Carrie Lynn Smith. If not, then you should know she is the sweetest and most caring mother anyone could ask for. This spring, she was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma (with affected axillary lymph nodes), and to be honest, it's still sinking in for my brother, my sister and our dad. My mom has kept it together better than any of us, and I know she puts on a brave face just so we don't worry.

When we gathered together in the family room for her biopsy results, she was able to stay calm and ask the person on the other line plenty of questions. I thought she was just not too worried about the whole thing, but when I left the room, my mom and sister began crying on the couch together. It was hard to hear her break down like that. I didn't always know how to comfort her when she was obviously upset. I know I've taken her for granted way too many times, but I do my best to show I care about her and what she's going through. We all do.

As a family, we planned at least one of us to accompany my mom to every one of her chemotherapy infusions. One of the scariest parts for her is when they hook up the IV-type-doohickey to her "accessory" (what we call her infusion port). I found out quickly the best way to distract her for this portion of the appointment is to pull up a cat video for her to watch. I’ve got it down to a science by scrolling through TikTok prior to the needle approach and finding the most aww-worthy kitten video ever recorded. It feels like I’m helping in some small way. Mom has bravely made it through 14 infusions (she’s even taking part in a clinical trial to help others in the future), and she'll be done with chemotherapy in mid-November. The first of a few surgeries will be in December, and that will be followed by radiation in early 2023. It’s been a lot, and there’s still a long way to go.

We’re here supporting her emotionally, and so many friends and family are praying for her, too. The whole Smith Team is grateful for this every day. Mom’s strength and faith are helping carry her through treatment, but there is more to this, as you can imagine. You can’t really prepare for this kind of emotional and financial strain. Even though we’ve been blessed with support and prayers through this year of appointments, tests and treatment, there are many expenses insurance doesn’t cover. Creating a GoFundMe was a difficult decision to come to, but my family humbly asks for your help. Any donation you give will help cover medical costs, including a surgical procedure that will dramatically reduce the health risks associated with extensive lymph node removal. Please join us in helping Mom return to good health and enjoy a full life with us!

If you aren’t able to contribute financially, we thank you for your prayers, and for sharing our story with someone you know who can. You can see more of my mom’s cancer fight here.

Thank you and God bless!

Patrick Smith & Family

PS

I want to express our deepest gratitude for your continued prayers and your generosity on this site, as well as your kind gestures this year. If we are blessed enough and surpass our goal, we will be sharing funds with a local organization dedicated to helping uninsured women get the assistance and treatment they need while facing this disease.

Love to you all!

Carrie