Caitlin's Breast Cancer Surgery & Recovery Fund

Hi, I'm Caitlin, and I'm battling aggressive breast cancer. To survive, I'm going to need some help along the way.

What Happened?

In July 2021 I felt shooting pain in my right breast and immediately feared the worst. I watched my mom go through a difficult multi-year struggle with breast cancer treatments and surgeries starting when I was 16, and I feared that one day I would have to deal with it myself.

After discovering the lump, my gynecologist recommended a mammogram. The results were not good and the radiologist could tell based on the structure of the tumor that it was likely malignant. I was biopsied a few days later, and called with results after the weekend. While this may sound streamlined, I actually had to plead and push for earlier appointments and faster results throughout the whole process.

In the end, I was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer in which the tumor grows and spreads more quickly.

All of this hit me like a ton of bricks. My inner circle of family and friends were devastated. It was especially painful telling my dad about the diagnosis, since he was in the midst of a 2 year battle with pancreatic cancer and undergoing surgeries and chemotherapy.

How Am I Healing?

Last September I began the first course in six rounds of chemotherapy and antibody treatments to stop this fast-spreading cancer in its tracks. My chemo side effects ranged from insomnia, chemo brain (brain-fog), diarrhea, skin rashes, severe dry mouth, intense changes in taste buds ranging from metallic to gritty sand flavors, hair loss, nail changes and neuropathy.

I continued to work during treatments, while taking a few days off each time for rest and recovery. Even when working, the mental and sensory side-effects of my treatment impacted the way I do my job - personal interaction and taste evaluation are a huge part of what I do.

During my recovery days I was on California State Disability, which was supposed to pay me 75% of my salary. Due to several errors on their part, that money was withheld for 6 months. I spent hours calling, emailing, and consulting with Kaiser social workers on how to fix the issue with State Disability in order to be paid. It was incredibly frustrating and exhausting. I recall breaking down and crying to a friend while undergoing chemo from the stress of it all.

I dipped into savings and borrowed money in order to cover the many prescription medications, medical supplies, special foods and chemo-diet needs, dozens of co-pays for doctor’s visits, blood work, MRI’s, CT scans and bi-monthly acupuncture treatment by an out-of-network cancer specialist. It all adds up, but despite the costs I fought on.

I finished chemotherapy treatments in January 2022 and rang that bell! But going through 5 months of chemotherapy and anti-body treatments led my body to develop a new chronic and very painful condition, which I am still healing from with the help of a physical therapist. And yet, I feel so lucky to be alive.

What’s Next?

My cancer journey continues - at the end of April I will undergo two major surgeries that will take 8 weeks of recovery time. I will have several lymph nodes removed and tested for cancer. The best case scenario is that the lymph nodes test negative, and I will have to continue intravenous antibody treatment for another 7 months.

During the 8 weeks of recovery from surgery, I will not be able to work, and my anxiety is high as I fear the additional healing time, the cost of treatment, and the stress of reduced income. Post-surgery, I plan on continuing to work with my acupuncturist to treat lingering chemo side effects. I also plan to start working with a naturopath to continue my healing journey.

In total, I estimate by the end I will have spent $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses to survive.

Treating cancer is expensive, on top of the emotional and physical toll of it all. Several friends suggested I set up a GoFundMe, but I honestly was not ready to share my story and be vulnerable enough to ask for help. I’ve had some time to think it over, and have come to the conclusion that being vulnerable is a part of my breast cancer journey.

How to Help

I’m humbly asking for a donation of any dollar amount that will go towards post-surgery expenses and care, or, to please share my story with your friends and family network.

Whatever you give or share, thank you from the bottom of my heart. No one survives cancer alone, and I couldn’t do this without the kindness and support of my family, friends, and folks like yourself.