Taylor Laidlaw (Medical Bills Fund)

Taylor is a 19 year old college student who was born in Bend, Oregon.  Taylor is a ray of sunshine to her family and friends.  She is silly (actually, hilarious), smart, loving, talented, and kind-hearted.  NOBODY can light up a room like Taylor.  She is truly one in a million.  <3

Taylor began showing symptoms of a possible UTI in March of 2014.  After several trips to Urgent Care and two Emergency Room visits, Mindy, Taylor’s mother, contacted Bend Urology.  Bend Urology played an instrumental role in facilitating Taylor with the additional testing she needed.  Taylor eventually received an ultrasound, contrast CT, and an MRI.  That is when the mass on Taylor’s left kidney was discovered. 

Bend Urology recommended that Taylor get a second opinion with Dr. La Rochelle at OHSU.  After meeting with Dr. La Rochelle, he felt that he could remove the tumor and save the majority of her kidney.  On July 24, 2014, Taylor had a partial nephrectomy where only twenty-five percent of her left kidney was removed.  After Taylor's surgery, Dr. La Rochelle felt 98% certain that her tumor was cancerous. 

The preliminary pathology report concluded that the tumor was benign and we were ELATED.  Unbeknownst to Taylor’s family, Dr. La Rochelle and the pathology team at OHSU could not settle on a clear conclusion, so the team sent a sample to Johns Hopkins for further testing.  The specialty pathology team at Johns Hopkins finally came back with the final pathology report.  Taylor’s tumor was a sarcoma.  This was devastating news.  At the same time, it was a HUGE blessing that her tumor was sent for further testing - otherwise the cancer would have eventually spread, making her prognosis extremely poor.  GOD IS GOOD!!!  <3

Taylor was officially diagnosed with Low-Grade Fibromyxoid Sarcoma (LGFMS) on August 14, 2014.  Low-Grade Fibromyxoid Sarcoma is an extremely rare form of cancer normally found in the extremities (arms/legs).  LGFMS of the kidney is almost unheard of, with only three documented cases in the United States.  Taylor is the only teenager to ever be diagnosed with this very rare form of kidney cancer.  The most unsettling aspect of this type of cancer is the incredibly high rate of reoccurrence and/or metastasizing to other parts of the body – usually the lungs.  This can occur within months or even decades after the removal of the primary tumor.

Taylor will have the remainder of her left kidney removed at OHSU on August 28, 2014.  At this time, it does not look like she will need adjunctive therapy (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) after surgery.  After her recovery, she will receive regular lung scans (for the rest of her life) to check for any sign of metastasizing from her primary cancer.

Through this all, Taylor and her family have received a tremendous outpouring of love, concern, and prayer.  Many wonderful people have come forward to offer their help and support during this very challenging time.  That is why I, Taylor's aunt (Lisa Miller), created a Go Fund Me account.  If you feel led to make a donation to help Taylor and her family with medical expenses, that would be a huge blessing to them.  If you aren't able to do that - PRAYER is the most important thing we could ask of you.  Please keep Taylor and her family in prayer.  Please pray that Taylor has a problem-free surgery and fast recovery.  Most of all, please pray that Taylor will recieve a complete, total, and absolute healing. 

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support.  <3