#HALEYSTRONG

Hi, I’m Wendy, a friend of Haley’s and her parents! I’m starting this fundraiser for Haley and Zach as they begin their journey to find the best management and care plan journey for Haley. Knowing what they do know, and considering what they don’t yet know, this fundraiser is intended to lessen the financial burden on them as they will likely miss a lot of work to make sure Haley gets the care and treatments she needs to manage this disease.

If you know Haley, you love her! And if you don’t know her, you’re missing a beautiful gift I know they will appreciate any support they receive, even if it is just sharing this fundraiser with your network.

Here is a little about Haley’s story:

About five years ago, at just 31 years old, Haley was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent radical treatment to take care of the cancer and has had clear scans since. You see, Haley is mom to three little boys, Pearson, Colton and Sullivan. She’s wife to Zach, daughter to Keith and Jane, and sister to Wendy and Betsy. She’s a granddaughter, an aunt and she’s a friend to many. So naturally she wanted to be sure the cancer was addressed swiftly and fully.

In late December Haley started experiencing hip pain so she went to the doctor and over the course of the next couple of weeks she learned she (still) had cancer. Here, in Haley’s words, is what they’ve learned.

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‘So unfortunately scans did not go as we had hoped. I need to start by clearing up that the cancer I have isn’t a new cancer. While it was always the hope that they got all the breast cancer the first time around, I wasn’t able to get clear margins. Which is why I had radiation. My cancer never followed the normal trajectory it “should” have, it is clear now that it has gone unchecked for almost 5 years, finding new places to invade. This is something I cannot beat, it will be managed as best as they can. The silver lining, I suppose is metastatic breast cancer is widely researched and there are many treatments that have shown managing for years even is absolutely possible. Not planning on going anywhere anytime soon, but need to get caught up to where cancers at, going aggressive now to get there.

We knew from first mri of lower spine there were lesions on multiple vertebrae. However, the ct of chest and abdomen has brought to light a small spot on liver that’s 50/50 cancer or not. The bone scan the following day showed the real dangerous part. The pain in my right hip is not residual pain from spine lesions but in fact a fractured hip. The acetabulum (socket portion of hip) is fractured and the cancer has essentially disintegrated portions of that bone, which thankfully was seen before it collapsed. I need hip replacement like now, my oncologist found an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in oncology at UW (and has taken her case)….I have appointment with him to hear his plan and schedule surgery asap.

While hip is fragile we still need more answers on the cancer side of things, Tuesday I will have bone biopsy of left hip. They can send to pathology which takes a week or two to come back, then my doctor and her team can come up with best treatment plan. By that time hip surgery should be done. Also, Wednesday is PET scan just to add more pieces to the puzzle. The liver will get a MRI at some point but prioritizing care plan at this point.

Boys know basics of where we are at but there’s so many questions still unanswered. Zach’s job has been so supportive and understanding. He is carrying so much, I worry about him but he’s pushing through and taking great care of everything and everyone in the house. Doing our best to keep everything as normal as possible for boys.

THANK YOU for all the supportive thoughts, prayers, and people that have reached out.’

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I want to thank everyone in advance for supporting this sweet family! Please pray without ceasing for them.