Karen's Kicking Cancer

Karen's journey started in 1996. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. She had beat it and was in remission for 20 years. Then it came back. In February 2016 she found a lump on her right side. She had genetic testing done and found out she had the BRACA 1 gene. Which meant she had a predisposition to getting cancer. During this time she went through 3 rounds of Chemo, a full mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery. She had beat it again! In 2017 Karen went in for her 6 month check up and found that the cancer had returned. Stage 4. It had moved into her lymph node and lungs. She was put on chemo right away. In October 2018 She had a 3rd full mastectomy to remove the breast implant and cancer in the breast. (She likes to joke that she had 3 boobs) It took 2 months of recovery. January 2019 she started 25 days of radiation. During this, the cancer in her lymph node came back. February 2019 She was put back on chemo to fight the cancer in her lymph nodes. In September 2019 she was able to take 2 months off from chemo. Through this whole time Karen had been working as much as she could carrying on a fulltime work schedule. On Thanksgiving day 2019 Karen knew that something was wrong. On December 2nd she was diagnosed with 2 brain tumors on the frontal lobe of her brain. She was set to begin radiation on December 5th. She went in to the hospital every day until December 26th. She will start Chemo later in January and have weekly treatments. Karen's last day at work was November 29th. She is now on medical leave (FMLA) until March when she has her next MRI. Karen has been unable to work or drive since this latest diagnosis. With the brain cancer it has affected her memory, mood, and motor function. Her husband has been her primary caregiver and is also recently retired. Bills have been tight as the cost of gas, medications, and other life expenses are beginning to add up. With this new year begins a new insurance cycle and so they will have to start over with their deductible adding even more bills to their budget. I, being their daughter, have decided to set up this fund to help my parents as much as possible. They are hesitant to ask for help and I wish I was able to provide more help for them. These funds will allow them to pay bills, rent, groceries, medical expenses, gas, and more. Thank you for taking the time to read my mother's story and to help with what you can. Peace and Love, Monica