Alisha's War on Breast Cancer
Donation protected
On September 20, 2017, Alisha went in for a routine mammogram that she had had many times due to family history. Just a few days later, she got a call to come in for additional images. no big deal right? Just routine. Needless to say after an ultrasound, biopsy and stereotactic biopsy, Alisha was officially diagnosed November 1, 2017 with Breast Cancer.
Alisha shared with me how she was DEVESTATED to say the least, that her knees buckled as the doctor delivered the news through tears of her own.
By November 9th, Alisha underwent surgery #1 to determine what stage and if it had reached any lymph nodes. When it was all said and done not only did Alisha have Breast Cancer, she had Stage 2a metastatic breast cancer - IDC and DCIS non-invasive, basically both types and it spread to the lymph nodes.
Then came the radical skin saving mastectomy along with 23 lymph nodes being removed and a tissue expander was placed on Jan 16, 2018. Due to necrosis and infection, she had an additional surgery Jan 26th and was admitted overnight for broad spectrum antibiotics to save her life. Not long after were the bone scan and CT scan to make sure the cancer had not spread anymore. They then found that she had a cyst on her liver and a mass in her Thyroid. It was recommended she wait until chemo was complete to biopsy the thyroid. Throughout this time, Alisha had depleted all of her paid time off from work and needed time she did not have to build her time off bank back up.
Alisha began Chemotherapy March 2018 and rang the bell May 2018 (whoo hoo), and it was just as eventful. She fought off infections, chemo rash, allergic reaction to antibiotics among all the other side effects chemo can have. In June yet another biopsy and more time off work, Alisha was blessed and thankful, that it was benign.
After many doctor appointments biopsies, surgeries and chemo, Alisha continues to not have built up paid time off and she has depleted her savings to cover these unexpected copays and medical bills. Alisha is scheduled for a right side mastectomy and bilateral reconstruction on August 29th and will be on FMLA for at least 6 - 8 weeks, without pay.
I am starting my first Go Fund Me page this evening for a dear friend, colleague, and warrior. I know she would likely be mortified that I am asking but I really did not give her an option on this one (sorry girl!). As a woman, a friend, and granddaughter of a woman who lost the battle that Alisha is winning, I hope to help however I can - I hope if you feel so moved or inspired, you will as well!
Alisha shared with me how she was DEVESTATED to say the least, that her knees buckled as the doctor delivered the news through tears of her own.
By November 9th, Alisha underwent surgery #1 to determine what stage and if it had reached any lymph nodes. When it was all said and done not only did Alisha have Breast Cancer, she had Stage 2a metastatic breast cancer - IDC and DCIS non-invasive, basically both types and it spread to the lymph nodes.
Then came the radical skin saving mastectomy along with 23 lymph nodes being removed and a tissue expander was placed on Jan 16, 2018. Due to necrosis and infection, she had an additional surgery Jan 26th and was admitted overnight for broad spectrum antibiotics to save her life. Not long after were the bone scan and CT scan to make sure the cancer had not spread anymore. They then found that she had a cyst on her liver and a mass in her Thyroid. It was recommended she wait until chemo was complete to biopsy the thyroid. Throughout this time, Alisha had depleted all of her paid time off from work and needed time she did not have to build her time off bank back up.
Alisha began Chemotherapy March 2018 and rang the bell May 2018 (whoo hoo), and it was just as eventful. She fought off infections, chemo rash, allergic reaction to antibiotics among all the other side effects chemo can have. In June yet another biopsy and more time off work, Alisha was blessed and thankful, that it was benign.
After many doctor appointments biopsies, surgeries and chemo, Alisha continues to not have built up paid time off and she has depleted her savings to cover these unexpected copays and medical bills. Alisha is scheduled for a right side mastectomy and bilateral reconstruction on August 29th and will be on FMLA for at least 6 - 8 weeks, without pay.
I am starting my first Go Fund Me page this evening for a dear friend, colleague, and warrior. I know she would likely be mortified that I am asking but I really did not give her an option on this one (sorry girl!). As a woman, a friend, and granddaughter of a woman who lost the battle that Alisha is winning, I hope to help however I can - I hope if you feel so moved or inspired, you will as well!
Organizer and beneficiary
Lindsey Gurganious
Organizer
Pasadena, TX
Alisha Danielle
Beneficiary
