Help Support Corrin Fight Cancer
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From Corrin's Mom, Angie....
Corrin is a senior in high school. And like most seniors, the end of their year hasn’t gone as planned. But for Corrin, this takes on a much greater disappointment, far beyond missed ceremonies and graduation parties.
Last Monday, she was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer in her right ankle.
In a time when she should be celebrating her high school accomplishments, enjoying time with friends and planning for college; priorities have shifted as we come to realize how her life will change.
Originally she was given two options but after reviewing a new MRI, it seems the cancerous tumor is too close to a nerve and blood vessel. The only option we have now is amputation below the knee. Surgery is scheduled for May 6th at the Mayo Hospital in Rochester.
The other option was to save the limb, but this would leave her with a limp, a better chance of the cancer reoccurring and limit her ability to run, jump and of course dance! But now we do not need to make the decision as it isn’t a viable option anymore.
Corrin is a trooper. She is amazing. She knows what needs to be done and accepts it. She doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve very often and doesn’t like to “make it about her” (as she would say), but she worries about attending college and wonders if she will have a hard time making friends. Our biggest concern though is just getting the cancer out of her precious body.
In a time when a young person is establishing their identity and moving on to the next chapter after high school, we know this experience will change her life and instill a strength in her that she doesn’t know exists. A strength we will all find.
Corrin has a few other concerning areas in her lungs. At this point, we do not know if these “spots” are cancerous. They are too small to biopsy. After the amputation, if the biopsy reveals the tumor is still classified as “low grade” then the spots in her lungs will be closely monitored. Low grade simply means the cancer isn’t fast to grow and spread. (At this point we do not see any other cancerous tumors throughout her body.) If the tumor is classified as “high grade” she will then start chemotherapy and our hope is if the spots in her lungs are cancerous, this will kill them off.
We have met with so many wonderful people at Mayo. So kind-hearted and sympathetic to what we are going through. We also discussed physical therapy and prosthetics. If all goes well, Corrin can be fitted with a prosthetic by the fourth of July.
In a time of so much uncertainty… we really don’t know how things will go. But the answers will come. The past visits to Mayo have just been Corrin and myself as only one parent is allowed in the hospital. For the upcoming surgery though, Brian will be able to come with us. We will just have to take turns going up to her room. I am so grateful for this.
When the silence falls and we are left with our thoughts, we rely on our faith and a good sense of humor. Corrin is silly and fun and loves to laugh. I bet you’d never guess how many jokes there are about feet? Well there are a lot. The times we can laugh seem to snuff out the tears.
In a world now full of less hugs, so many people have reached out asking how they can help. Thank you to my dear friend Jill, (who I literally talk to about three times a day for the past eight years!) Thank you for helping us set up this go fund me account. We still have a lot of uncertainty before us and are really unsure as to the direction of future treatments. Answers are unfolding as it happens.
Anything that can be given will be used for travel, hotel, food and living expenses while in Rochester, also medical costs such as Corrin’s prosthetic, etc.
I bet you’ve never helped anyone with getting a new foot? This where we insert a Forest Gump movie quote about Magic Legs.
See ...laughter is the best medicine.
Please pray for strength and guide our doctors.
The prayers and support we have gotten from family, life-long friends and new friends have lifted our spirits immensely. We really are all connected on this earth through love and friendship.
All the best.
The Gillespie Family,
Angie, Brian, David and Corrin
Corrin is a senior in high school. And like most seniors, the end of their year hasn’t gone as planned. But for Corrin, this takes on a much greater disappointment, far beyond missed ceremonies and graduation parties.
Last Monday, she was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer in her right ankle.
In a time when she should be celebrating her high school accomplishments, enjoying time with friends and planning for college; priorities have shifted as we come to realize how her life will change.
Originally she was given two options but after reviewing a new MRI, it seems the cancerous tumor is too close to a nerve and blood vessel. The only option we have now is amputation below the knee. Surgery is scheduled for May 6th at the Mayo Hospital in Rochester.
The other option was to save the limb, but this would leave her with a limp, a better chance of the cancer reoccurring and limit her ability to run, jump and of course dance! But now we do not need to make the decision as it isn’t a viable option anymore.
Corrin is a trooper. She is amazing. She knows what needs to be done and accepts it. She doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve very often and doesn’t like to “make it about her” (as she would say), but she worries about attending college and wonders if she will have a hard time making friends. Our biggest concern though is just getting the cancer out of her precious body.
In a time when a young person is establishing their identity and moving on to the next chapter after high school, we know this experience will change her life and instill a strength in her that she doesn’t know exists. A strength we will all find.
Corrin has a few other concerning areas in her lungs. At this point, we do not know if these “spots” are cancerous. They are too small to biopsy. After the amputation, if the biopsy reveals the tumor is still classified as “low grade” then the spots in her lungs will be closely monitored. Low grade simply means the cancer isn’t fast to grow and spread. (At this point we do not see any other cancerous tumors throughout her body.) If the tumor is classified as “high grade” she will then start chemotherapy and our hope is if the spots in her lungs are cancerous, this will kill them off.
We have met with so many wonderful people at Mayo. So kind-hearted and sympathetic to what we are going through. We also discussed physical therapy and prosthetics. If all goes well, Corrin can be fitted with a prosthetic by the fourth of July.
In a time of so much uncertainty… we really don’t know how things will go. But the answers will come. The past visits to Mayo have just been Corrin and myself as only one parent is allowed in the hospital. For the upcoming surgery though, Brian will be able to come with us. We will just have to take turns going up to her room. I am so grateful for this.
When the silence falls and we are left with our thoughts, we rely on our faith and a good sense of humor. Corrin is silly and fun and loves to laugh. I bet you’d never guess how many jokes there are about feet? Well there are a lot. The times we can laugh seem to snuff out the tears.
In a world now full of less hugs, so many people have reached out asking how they can help. Thank you to my dear friend Jill, (who I literally talk to about three times a day for the past eight years!) Thank you for helping us set up this go fund me account. We still have a lot of uncertainty before us and are really unsure as to the direction of future treatments. Answers are unfolding as it happens.
Anything that can be given will be used for travel, hotel, food and living expenses while in Rochester, also medical costs such as Corrin’s prosthetic, etc.
I bet you’ve never helped anyone with getting a new foot? This where we insert a Forest Gump movie quote about Magic Legs.
See ...laughter is the best medicine.
Please pray for strength and guide our doctors.
The prayers and support we have gotten from family, life-long friends and new friends have lifted our spirits immensely. We really are all connected on this earth through love and friendship.
All the best.
The Gillespie Family,
Angie, Brian, David and Corrin
Organizer
Jill Thielbar
Organizer
Sioux Falls, SD
