Carlie’s cancer fight

In December 2021, just after having her second beautiful son, Carlie found out she had a large tumor in her liver. In February she had major surgery to remove half her liver and was subsequently diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and deadly cancer affecting the bile ducts with a 9% 5 year survival rate. After 6 months of preventative chemotherapy she was given the devastating news that it was already back in her liver and had spread to lymph nodes. She got a port and began a new aggressive chemo and immunotherapy treatment.

This past December Carlie and her husband Tommy went down to MD Anderson in Houston seeking another opinion. It was there they found out that what multiple doctors had thought were lymph nodes were actually tumors in a different part of her liver. Her doctors feel she is eligible for a second liver resection which is scheduled for February 17, almost exactly a year from her first surgery and diagnosis.

Though Carlie is feeling very lucky to be a surgical candidate, there are many hurdles ahead. Assuming her cancer has stayed stable and they are able to proceed with surgery, this is a huge operation to have to undergo and recover from for a second time after nearly a year on chemo. There is also still a very high likelihood the cancer will return. Her doctors are already discussing liver transplant as a potential next move. She will have to do more chemo, and likely travel back to Texas every 3 months from now on for surveillance scans.

Carlie and Tommy have seen such an outpouring of love and support since her journey began last year, and so many have asked how they can help- contributing even just a few dollars to this GoFundMe is a tangible way to do so. They will continue to face ongoing medical expenses, associated travel and lodging, childcare, and are trying to fit in the chance to do some traveling and make memories with their young boys as Carlie fights to stay here with her family.