Brooke's Cancer/Lymphedema Funds
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Brooke Adams and my friend Joe LaVigne is running the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half-Marathon in honor of me and my breast cancer and lymphedema treatment!
Up until this point, I have been relying solely on my income, savings, and my parents for help paying my medical bills. Cancer is expensive—even with insurance!
I was first diagnosed with breast cancer over a year ago. Below is a summary of my journey through the process:
April 4, 2017 – I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, as well as Inflammatory Breast Cancer. It was stage 3, hormone receptor positive (ER/PR+) and HER2 negative. I was 26 at the time of diagnosis.
April 27, 2017 – IV chemo began. I started with Adriamycin and Cytoxan once every other week for eight weeks, and then moved on to Taxol once a week for 12 weeks.
September 7, 2017 – My last day of IV chemo!
October 20, 2017 – My unilateral mastectomy with traditional axillary lymph node dissection (removal of all level I and II lymph nodes – for me that meant 13 lymph nodes were removed from under my arm.)
November 6, 2017 – I met with my breast surgeon to go over my pathology report. I was told that I did not have a complete response to chemo. 60 – 80% of my cancer was still viable and 9 out of 13 lymph nodes had active cancer in them. I was told I’d have to take an oral chemo pill for several months after radiation was over. This was a big disappointment and very scary news to receive.
December 4, 2017 – My chest, supraclavicular lymph nodes, internal mammary lymph nodes, and remaining axillary lymph nodes under my arm were radiated once a day for 28 days beginning in December.
January 15, 2018 – My last day of radiation!
February 7, 2018 – Began my first round of the oral chemo Xeloda. I take 8 pills every day for two weeks and then have an off week. I do this for 8 rounds. I’m currently in the middle of my fifth round.
April 12, 2018 – I began seeing an occupational therapist to treat the lymphedema I’ve developed in my hand and arm. This is happening because of the lymph nodes removed under my arm and has been exacerbated because of the radiation treatment I received. The first phase of treatment required my hand and arm to be bandaged, much like a soft cast. This treatment lasted 3 weeks and caused me to miss two full weeks of work.
Lymphedema is caused by impaired flow in the lymphatic system (part of the immune and circulatory systems). Lymphedema is most commonly caused by lymph node removal or damage due to cancer treatment. The main symptom is swelling, but if left untreated can lead to infection or blood clots.
Lymphedema cannot be cured, only managed. I will need to purchase compression sleeves and gloves, as well as a custom night time sleeve.
FINAL SUMMARY: The funds Joe raises will go towards a JoViPak® Arm Sleeve, as well as towards Mediven Harmony Compression Gloves. I will wear compression garments every day and every night. Insurance may cover some of the JoViPak® Arm Sleeve. The custom sleeve costs upwards of $1,000. Insurance will cover two daytime arm sleeves a year, but it does not cover the compression gloves, which are more than twice the cost of daytime arm sleeves.
Any amount is helpful towards paying medical bills. Thank you!
Up until this point, I have been relying solely on my income, savings, and my parents for help paying my medical bills. Cancer is expensive—even with insurance!
I was first diagnosed with breast cancer over a year ago. Below is a summary of my journey through the process:
April 4, 2017 – I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, as well as Inflammatory Breast Cancer. It was stage 3, hormone receptor positive (ER/PR+) and HER2 negative. I was 26 at the time of diagnosis.
April 27, 2017 – IV chemo began. I started with Adriamycin and Cytoxan once every other week for eight weeks, and then moved on to Taxol once a week for 12 weeks.
September 7, 2017 – My last day of IV chemo!
October 20, 2017 – My unilateral mastectomy with traditional axillary lymph node dissection (removal of all level I and II lymph nodes – for me that meant 13 lymph nodes were removed from under my arm.)
November 6, 2017 – I met with my breast surgeon to go over my pathology report. I was told that I did not have a complete response to chemo. 60 – 80% of my cancer was still viable and 9 out of 13 lymph nodes had active cancer in them. I was told I’d have to take an oral chemo pill for several months after radiation was over. This was a big disappointment and very scary news to receive.
December 4, 2017 – My chest, supraclavicular lymph nodes, internal mammary lymph nodes, and remaining axillary lymph nodes under my arm were radiated once a day for 28 days beginning in December.
January 15, 2018 – My last day of radiation!
February 7, 2018 – Began my first round of the oral chemo Xeloda. I take 8 pills every day for two weeks and then have an off week. I do this for 8 rounds. I’m currently in the middle of my fifth round.
April 12, 2018 – I began seeing an occupational therapist to treat the lymphedema I’ve developed in my hand and arm. This is happening because of the lymph nodes removed under my arm and has been exacerbated because of the radiation treatment I received. The first phase of treatment required my hand and arm to be bandaged, much like a soft cast. This treatment lasted 3 weeks and caused me to miss two full weeks of work.
Lymphedema is caused by impaired flow in the lymphatic system (part of the immune and circulatory systems). Lymphedema is most commonly caused by lymph node removal or damage due to cancer treatment. The main symptom is swelling, but if left untreated can lead to infection or blood clots.
Lymphedema cannot be cured, only managed. I will need to purchase compression sleeves and gloves, as well as a custom night time sleeve.
FINAL SUMMARY: The funds Joe raises will go towards a JoViPak® Arm Sleeve, as well as towards Mediven Harmony Compression Gloves. I will wear compression garments every day and every night. Insurance may cover some of the JoViPak® Arm Sleeve. The custom sleeve costs upwards of $1,000. Insurance will cover two daytime arm sleeves a year, but it does not cover the compression gloves, which are more than twice the cost of daytime arm sleeves.
Any amount is helpful towards paying medical bills. Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Joe LaVigne
Organizer
Ann Arbor, MI
Brooke Adams
Beneficiary