Cancer sucks but they do NOT

Hi, my name is Jessie - I have had the pleasure of helping raise Matthew Doyle as a surrogate aunt of sorts. After his father(Kenny Doyle) died of leukemia when he was just a toddler his mom (Denise Crevier) moved in across from my parents. I got the fortune of being called Auntie to Matt and watching his journey through School and his ultimate decision to serve our country in the Navy. He met Caitie(I won't tell the real story of how) and we as a family and network of friends quickly became enamored with this lovely little lady- she at the time was a Kindergarten teacher and there was no career more fitting. She is kind, genuine, and caring an absolute joy to be around. So upbeat and positive, always with a listening ear and words of encouragement. Their love story led to a wedding and our sweet little Brookie Cookie(their daughter)- oh crap Bentley their rescue dog baby came first- but we're obsessed with little Brooklyn. Matt and Caitie were meant for each other and this became even more apparent to me when their daughter was born and seeing how they both parent her. They have learned some tough life lessons- in-spite of which they are the most INCREDIBLE parents.

So now on to the tough part and why I am here asking for help. On October 31st Caitie and Matt met with the neuro oncologist. He confirmed that Caitie has grade 3 oligodendroglioma. Unlike other cancers, brain cancers do not have stages they have grades. Grade 1 being the lowest and grade 4 the highest.

The next step in their journey is radiation which will start 4-8 weeks post surgery. Once started Caitie will go through targeted radiation everyday Monday-Friday for 6 weeks. The targeted radiation will focus on area the tumor was and what still remains and approximately 2 cm beyond that.

After that the next step will be oral chemo that Caitie can take at home. Chemo will begin 4-6 weeks after radiation treatment is complete. She will receive 6 rounds of chemo which will take about 9 months.

Thanks to Matt's position in the Navy Caitie will get excellent care- but they never intended to be a one income household. They have a mortgage, car payments, student loans, etc... Paperwork nightmares have started and getting appropriate coverage and requirements fulfilled for Caitie's job as a teacher are challenging.

The expenses have started to come in from unexpected commutes to the hospital and rehab. Having to fly family in to assist with the care of Brooklyn so that Matt can be by his wife's side through all of this.

They have a long road ahead, but Caitie is determined to beat the odds and she has every reason to do so. Before this diagnosis they were planning another child and where Matt's next set of orders would be to- now they will stay in Maryland and fight for Caities life as a team with all of us behind them. If you are unable to donate - please share to your teacher friends your military friends and just plain old friends sick of seeing the wrong damn people having to fight cancer. She is strong, she is determined, and she has an Army(or Navy) behind her/ let's help ease this burden on them!

You can follow along with Caities Kickin Cancers ass journey Here on Caringbridge