LindsayStrong
Donation protected
Lindsay is a 34-year-old mother to Carter (7) and Luke (18 months), and wife to Michael. She is also a daughter, sister, niece, cousin, granddaughter, Godmother, friend, and co-worker. Lindsay is strong in her Catholic faith.
On April 16, 2018, Lindsay made a follow-up appointment with the Orthopedic for her son's fractured wrist. She had been experiencing pain in her right leg that was not normal to her exercise routine, so she scheduled an X-ray for herself at the same appointment. Upon review of the X-ray, the doctor was certain there was something that needed further examination. The next few weeks consisted of doctor's appointments, scans, an MRI, and a needle biopsy. The biopsy confirmed the diagnosis that no one wanted to hear: the mass on her leg was cancer.
The next few weeks were spent mostly waiting to determine the exact type of cancer. During that time, Lindsay made an appointment at MD Anderson (MDA) Cancer Center in Houston, TX.
Upon arriving at MDA for her first appointment on May 16, 2018, her doctor determined the cancer was a Spindle Cell Sarcoma. Lindsay began a 3-day process of consults, blood tests, multiple scans, MRI, and insertion of the central venous catheter. The first cycle of treatment will consist of 4 rounds of chemo therapy, each of which will require a 1-week inpatient stay at MDA. Following each week of inpatient stay, she will be off for 2 weeks. However, the first 2 weeks off, she will need to stay in Houston. The 2 weeks off following the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds of inpatient chemotherapy, she will be able to return home. After the 4 rounds of chemo, Lindsay will have surgery to remove the tumor and insert a prosthesis to repair damage caused by the tumor. The tumor will be analyzed to determine how successful the chemo was in killing the tumor. The second cycle of chemotherapy will consist of more rounds of chemotherapy. The type and duration will be determined on the analysis of the tumor.
Due to the certainty of a compromised immune system, Lindsay will be unable to work in a profession of which she is very passionate – caring for children as a school nurse in St. Tammany Parish and as a Nurse in the pediatric emergency room at Our Lady of the Lady Hospital (OLOL) in Baton Rouge.
Unfortunately, Lindsay is no stranger to cancer. At 8 years old, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She was treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Her treatment protocol lasted 2.5 years, followed by 8 years of follow-up. Over the years, Lindsay has given back as a result of her childhood cancer. She returned to St. Jude to participate in a long-term care study. She has volunteered her time to Camp Challenge in Louisiana, a week-long summer camp for children with cancer (and their siblings). After being a camper for many years, she became a counselor. Upon receiving her BSN at Southeastern Louisiana University, she transitioned to a camp nurse, and enjoyed that role for many years. Now she assists in performing medical exams for campers before they leave for summer camp.
As some of you may know, there are always issues with chemotherapy that will cause delays. Determining a timeline for how long Lindsay will be in treatment is difficult. Trips to MDA during this time will be numerous and costly. Updates will be posted on the LindsayStrong Facebook page if you would like to follow her journey. During this time, we ask that you keep Lindsay and her family in your prayers. Lindsay is faithful, she is a fighter, and she will beat cancer …. AGAIN!!
On April 16, 2018, Lindsay made a follow-up appointment with the Orthopedic for her son's fractured wrist. She had been experiencing pain in her right leg that was not normal to her exercise routine, so she scheduled an X-ray for herself at the same appointment. Upon review of the X-ray, the doctor was certain there was something that needed further examination. The next few weeks consisted of doctor's appointments, scans, an MRI, and a needle biopsy. The biopsy confirmed the diagnosis that no one wanted to hear: the mass on her leg was cancer.
The next few weeks were spent mostly waiting to determine the exact type of cancer. During that time, Lindsay made an appointment at MD Anderson (MDA) Cancer Center in Houston, TX.
Upon arriving at MDA for her first appointment on May 16, 2018, her doctor determined the cancer was a Spindle Cell Sarcoma. Lindsay began a 3-day process of consults, blood tests, multiple scans, MRI, and insertion of the central venous catheter. The first cycle of treatment will consist of 4 rounds of chemo therapy, each of which will require a 1-week inpatient stay at MDA. Following each week of inpatient stay, she will be off for 2 weeks. However, the first 2 weeks off, she will need to stay in Houston. The 2 weeks off following the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds of inpatient chemotherapy, she will be able to return home. After the 4 rounds of chemo, Lindsay will have surgery to remove the tumor and insert a prosthesis to repair damage caused by the tumor. The tumor will be analyzed to determine how successful the chemo was in killing the tumor. The second cycle of chemotherapy will consist of more rounds of chemotherapy. The type and duration will be determined on the analysis of the tumor.
Due to the certainty of a compromised immune system, Lindsay will be unable to work in a profession of which she is very passionate – caring for children as a school nurse in St. Tammany Parish and as a Nurse in the pediatric emergency room at Our Lady of the Lady Hospital (OLOL) in Baton Rouge.
Unfortunately, Lindsay is no stranger to cancer. At 8 years old, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She was treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Her treatment protocol lasted 2.5 years, followed by 8 years of follow-up. Over the years, Lindsay has given back as a result of her childhood cancer. She returned to St. Jude to participate in a long-term care study. She has volunteered her time to Camp Challenge in Louisiana, a week-long summer camp for children with cancer (and their siblings). After being a camper for many years, she became a counselor. Upon receiving her BSN at Southeastern Louisiana University, she transitioned to a camp nurse, and enjoyed that role for many years. Now she assists in performing medical exams for campers before they leave for summer camp.
As some of you may know, there are always issues with chemotherapy that will cause delays. Determining a timeline for how long Lindsay will be in treatment is difficult. Trips to MDA during this time will be numerous and costly. Updates will be posted on the LindsayStrong Facebook page if you would like to follow her journey. During this time, we ask that you keep Lindsay and her family in your prayers. Lindsay is faithful, she is a fighter, and she will beat cancer …. AGAIN!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Mallory Sharp Vetsch
Organizer
Baton Rouge, LA
Lindsay Perniciaro
Beneficiary
