DeNae (Maree) Donahue's Breast Cancer Battle Fund

My niece, DeNae, has cancer; words I never dreamed of saying, let alone writing. But here I am, telling DeNae’s story. (aka Nae, Maree, Sweet Pea)

On June 15th, DeNae had an itch to scratch and found a lump. The earliest appointment she could get was on the 18th. That doctor didn’t think it was cancer-related, but a mammogram and ultrasound were scheduled for the following week. Biopsies and an MRI followed in short order. All leading to hearing, “It’s cancerous."

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stage 3B. DeNae was only 32, soon to be 33, at the end of August. DeNae’s MRI showed three masses in her left breast, a smaller one in her right and an affected lymph node in her left armpit.

More tests, scans, and appointments followed. The first meeting with DeNae’s oncologist lifted a considerable weight with her first words – “I truly believe your cancer is curable." WHEW! Such wonderful words! Dr. Annie is a ray of sunshine in this cancer world, and DeNae feels very fortunate to be in her care.

The type of cancer DeNae has is very aggressive and fast-growing. If there is any good news within all this, it is that DeNae tested positive for the HER2 protein. There’s a specific drug that directly targets this protein, which is what causes the rapid growth of cancer cells.

The chemo treatment would consist of four drugs for six cycles every three weeks. The TCHP regime is a combination drug treatment that includes docetaxel, carboplatin, herceptin, and perjeta. The herceptin and perjeta part of the regime will continue for one year after her double mastectomy. So, the first step in the process was scheduling surgery to have a port implanted just under her skin so she could receive all treatments, etc., instead of being stuck with a needle every single time. The port will stay until the entire regime is complete, a year from now.

On Friday, July 22, DeNae had her first chemo treatment, and November 8th was her final dose…fingers are crossed. She may need another round of chemo of a different variety if her breast tissue shows any abnormalities after the mastectomy.

A lot has happened during her chemo treatments. A few ER visits, a cardiologist appointment for rapid heart rate, a CT scan to determine if she had blood clots in her lungs since she’s having terrible breathing issues, and another echocardiogram in the next week.

As much as DeNae wants to keep normalcy in her life, the cumulative effect of all the chemo started taking a significant toll, and she’s unable to continue working. DeNae is a dog groomer, and she had been working part-time up until the last ER visit and the doctor advising against continuing to work.

The neuropathy in DeNae’s hands causes her to drop things all the time and causes terrible pain with doing the simplest tasks, like opening a bottle of water or crumpling up paper from a straw. She says it feels like being cut with a knife. Her breathing issues make it challenging to handle the dogs with the physicalness needed to groom them. In short, she always says, “My body is a disaster, and I have chemo brain.”

In 4-6 weeks, DeNae will have a double mastectomy. The recovery period is a minimum of two months. She’s still undecided on reconstruction, but the recovery period will likely double if that’s the path travelled. Plus, she needs radiation treatments for the lymph node area five days weekly for 5-6 weeks. All of this means no income for the next 4-6 months.

DeNae is fiercely independent, and it causes immense angst to ask for help. When we met with the genetics counselor, she explained to DeNae that people want to help her, need to help her in any way possible because it helps with feelings of helplessness. And this brings me to the end of this chapter of DeNae’s story.

With great humility, I ask you to donate anything you can to DeNae’s GoFundMe. These donations will help DeNae with the everyday necessities of life and cover her ongoing medical expenses. The hospital is still appealing the first $62,000 chemo treatment. Ah, the Land of the Lost, aka Insurance.

Anything you can donate will be honestly and greatly appreciated. Everything we can do to help and surround DeNae with love and support is most important so she can focus on winning this cancer battle.

Please share with your family, friends, social networks, etc. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and wish you good health and happiness.

#cancersucks