
Help us through my cancer battle
Donation protected
Hello everyone. My husband and I have finally decided to make a gofundme. I have been diagnosed with a rare disease in March of 2012 which has controlled most of my life hereafter.
Achalasia (A for short) is a disease that roughly occurs in 1 out of 100,000 people. In short, it is incurable, and at times makes it impossible to even swallow water. At my worst I was on a feeding tube and needed to have my entire esophagus reconstructed. Still, this was a short-term fix, a band-aid, if you will. With Achalashia comes a lot of terrible side effects; hair loss, malnutrition, reguritation, not being able to eat or drink liquids, debilitating spasms in your side and chest (very similar to the feeling of a heart attack), acid errosion/reflux and much more. In my particular case, I have "end stage Achalasia" which meant that down the line I would eventually need an esophagectomy to have my esophagus completely removed, but first the reconstruction to try and gain control of my symptoms and be able to semi-swallow again.
Six months after my surgical reconstruction I started having issues swallowing again, along with many other unsightly "A" symptoms. I kept on with normal life, thinking things were still better than before, and my doctors reminded me that there isn't a cure. By the beginning of 2014 my symptoms continued to progress and the pain I was experiencing had become unbearable. After a week long hospital stay, biopsies, testing, and finding better healthcare, I was diagnosed at 24 with stage ll adenocarcinoma Esophageal Cancer (of the GE junction).
I would later find out that although Achalasia is an autoimmune disease, being misdiagnosed with "GERD" for many years caused mass acid erosion to my esophagus and stomach, essentially causing the cancer.
Esophageal cancer is rare and it typically hits elderly men. I have been fighting hard for my life on chemotherapy as a non-operable patient from the very beginning of my diagnosis (meaning, I will no longer be eligible for that esophagectomy, as long as I have cancer). I'm on my fourth cycle of chemo, and unfortunately had to step back from my dream career, at the end of June this year (2015) as I have progressed in stages.
My husband works double shifts and overtime whenever available. He is also my sole care-giver; making sure
my dietary needs are met, I'm at my appointments and have his full support (a should to cry on & to vent to and anything else I could possibly think of.) In short, he's my angel on Earth.
In all of our struggle, we have lost our condo due to medical expenses and are 'drowning' in several debts.
Our goal in raising this amount of money would be to get out of our debt & continue to pay for the extreme medical expenses. Whether that's an oncology or another necessary doctor's co-pay, my $250 co-pay per month in various medications, medical supplies or bills. It will also help us get back on track with with our car payments.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Just that means everything. We understand if you're not in a place to help financially. Perhaps you can share our story. Anything helps, and is very much appreciated!
- Caitlin & Javier
Achalasia (A for short) is a disease that roughly occurs in 1 out of 100,000 people. In short, it is incurable, and at times makes it impossible to even swallow water. At my worst I was on a feeding tube and needed to have my entire esophagus reconstructed. Still, this was a short-term fix, a band-aid, if you will. With Achalashia comes a lot of terrible side effects; hair loss, malnutrition, reguritation, not being able to eat or drink liquids, debilitating spasms in your side and chest (very similar to the feeling of a heart attack), acid errosion/reflux and much more. In my particular case, I have "end stage Achalasia" which meant that down the line I would eventually need an esophagectomy to have my esophagus completely removed, but first the reconstruction to try and gain control of my symptoms and be able to semi-swallow again.
Six months after my surgical reconstruction I started having issues swallowing again, along with many other unsightly "A" symptoms. I kept on with normal life, thinking things were still better than before, and my doctors reminded me that there isn't a cure. By the beginning of 2014 my symptoms continued to progress and the pain I was experiencing had become unbearable. After a week long hospital stay, biopsies, testing, and finding better healthcare, I was diagnosed at 24 with stage ll adenocarcinoma Esophageal Cancer (of the GE junction).
I would later find out that although Achalasia is an autoimmune disease, being misdiagnosed with "GERD" for many years caused mass acid erosion to my esophagus and stomach, essentially causing the cancer.
Esophageal cancer is rare and it typically hits elderly men. I have been fighting hard for my life on chemotherapy as a non-operable patient from the very beginning of my diagnosis (meaning, I will no longer be eligible for that esophagectomy, as long as I have cancer). I'm on my fourth cycle of chemo, and unfortunately had to step back from my dream career, at the end of June this year (2015) as I have progressed in stages.
My husband works double shifts and overtime whenever available. He is also my sole care-giver; making sure
my dietary needs are met, I'm at my appointments and have his full support (a should to cry on & to vent to and anything else I could possibly think of.) In short, he's my angel on Earth.
In all of our struggle, we have lost our condo due to medical expenses and are 'drowning' in several debts.
Our goal in raising this amount of money would be to get out of our debt & continue to pay for the extreme medical expenses. Whether that's an oncology or another necessary doctor's co-pay, my $250 co-pay per month in various medications, medical supplies or bills. It will also help us get back on track with with our car payments.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Just that means everything. We understand if you're not in a place to help financially. Perhaps you can share our story. Anything helps, and is very much appreciated!
- Caitlin & Javier
Organizer and beneficiary
Caitlin Abarca
Organizer
Las Vegas, NV
Javier Abarca
Beneficiary