Help Carrie fight pancreatic cancer
Donation protected
I still remember vividly, two summers ago, a group of co-workers were having a lunch conversation. It was a typical day and a typical lunch conversation about work, personal life, and everything in between. Carrie shared with us that she had been experiencing some abdominal and lower back pain for about a week. We didn't think much of it or thought it to be serious, but we encouraged her to go see a doctor. As weeks went by her symptoms had gotten worse and she began to lose her appetite. By the time she got to see a doctor for a diagnosis, little did she know, she had pancreatic cancer. It took doctors almost six months to find out what was wrong with her and by the time the doctors had gone through the process of elimination to find out what was going on with her health, she was at a stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It was the saddest and most devastating day when Carrie announced to everyone that she had stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
The doctors immediately put her on chemo treatments. In just a month, she had lost all of her hair and the chemo had made her very sick and weak. There were days when Carrie didn't have the energy to come to work, but she did anyway because her home situation made it where she did not have a choice. Carrie's husband has multiple severe health issues that prevent him from working (he was greatly injured on a construction job) and so they rely on Carrie's income to survive. Each day it takes Carrie almost two hours each way to get to work and back home. Even though she faces major obstacles and challenges, she always has a great outlook on life and comes to work everyday with a smile on her face. The willingness to help her co-workers and to go above and beyond is a daily occurrence with Carrie. No one would ever know she has cancer unless she told them.
Now fast forward to last year where Carrie underwent surgery to remove the tumor in her pancreas. After being in the operating room for five hours, the surgeon decided that it would be worse for her if he removed the tumor so he left it and closed her back up. She wasn't happy with his decision to not remove the tumor. Within a month from the unsuccessful attempt in surgery, the cancer has spread to her lungs and liver. Carrie's health is deteriorating quickly and she can now no longer hold a job. The company where she worked was generous enough to keep her on the company's insurance plan, however time is running out and she's about to lose her insurance in a month. Carrie barely has enough money to get through month to month due to limited income and the depletion of her savings. Carrie now has to worry about how she will get money to cover her next chemo treatment.
Carrie is a loving wife, a grandmother who loves spending time with her two beautiful grand daughters, and a good friend to all of us. She is a fighter and a victor not a victim! I'm hopeful that this campaign will raise some sort of money to help pay for her medical expenses and other things she needs in order to alleviate some of her financial stress while she fights her battle.
We ask you to please help Carrie with anything that you can. Whether it's a $1, $5, $10, etc... It will help make a huge difference in her life.
Let's come together and give Carrie the victory that she deserves! Thank You in advance for your kindness and your generous donations.
Leslie ( a former co-worker and friend )
Organiser and beneficiary
Leslie Vo
Organiser
Redmond, WA
Carrie Higginbotham
Beneficiary
