Alicia's Fight Against Cancer
Donation protected
Alicia “Izzy” Aamoth Drager, daughter of Dianne and the late Craig Aamoth, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in June of 2016. Intimidated by her diagnosis and eager to beat it, Alicia began radiation and chemotherapy immediately, going to the hospital for daily treatments 5 times per week.
On February 20, 2017, Alicia underwent a hysterectomy to prevent the cancer from spreading within her uterus. As she continued to receive chemo and radiation, she developed a multitude of severe side effects. In addition to multiple blood transfusions and frequent visits to the ER with spiking fevers and agonizing pain, Alicia’s intestines became severely inflamed. An operation in March of 2016 was required to place a colostomy bag to divert her gastrointestinal tract, thus giving the lesions time to heal. During this complicated procedure, Alicia spent 16 days at United Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.
On January 11, 2018, Alicia underwent another operation to remove the colostomy. However, mid-operation, the surgeon was surprised to discover a fistula in Alicia’s bladder (also a severe side effect from radiation therapy). Not only could the surgical team not remove her colostomy bag, but now they were faced with the difficult task of determining how to heal her bladder while continuing to effectively treat her cancer. It was ultimately decided that Alicia would seek consultation from the University of Minnesota regarding the reconstruction of her bladder.
Over the course of her illness, the cancer and treatment alike have taken an arduous toll on Alicia’s body. She has lost over 70 pounds since her diagnosis and now, with the chemotherapy targeting the lymph node cancer, she will lose her hair.
An MRI conducted after the failed colostomy operation confirmed everyone’s worst fear: the cancer had spread. The new cancer is located in a cluster of lymph nodes near her intestines. Alicia’s medical team decided she was too weak to continue chemotherapy at this time, so they are hoping to do a direct radiation treatment to the lymph node cluster as she regains her strength to undergo at least 2 more upcoming surgeries.
The financial burden is, of course, a major obstacle in Alicia’s recovery and the medical costs that Alicia and her husband Dan face are insurmountable. In addition to the amount of work that Alicia has missed due to her previous operations and treatments, she took a leave of absence after her new diagnosis and plans to be out of work for the remainder of 2018, at the very least. She has applied for SSDI, but the process takes approximately 6 months and there is no guarantee she will be approved.
Alicia and her family hope to consult with the esteemed Mayo Clinic regarding the treatment and prognosis of her now extremely complicated illness, however the institution does not accept her current health insurance, so all costs for an expert second opinion and further would be out-of-pocket.
Alicia and Dan are in need of your help! Please donate if you are able and PLEASE continue to share your thoughts, prayers, and love with Alicia and her family as she continues her fight.
Go Izzy!!
On February 20, 2017, Alicia underwent a hysterectomy to prevent the cancer from spreading within her uterus. As she continued to receive chemo and radiation, she developed a multitude of severe side effects. In addition to multiple blood transfusions and frequent visits to the ER with spiking fevers and agonizing pain, Alicia’s intestines became severely inflamed. An operation in March of 2016 was required to place a colostomy bag to divert her gastrointestinal tract, thus giving the lesions time to heal. During this complicated procedure, Alicia spent 16 days at United Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.
On January 11, 2018, Alicia underwent another operation to remove the colostomy. However, mid-operation, the surgeon was surprised to discover a fistula in Alicia’s bladder (also a severe side effect from radiation therapy). Not only could the surgical team not remove her colostomy bag, but now they were faced with the difficult task of determining how to heal her bladder while continuing to effectively treat her cancer. It was ultimately decided that Alicia would seek consultation from the University of Minnesota regarding the reconstruction of her bladder.
Over the course of her illness, the cancer and treatment alike have taken an arduous toll on Alicia’s body. She has lost over 70 pounds since her diagnosis and now, with the chemotherapy targeting the lymph node cancer, she will lose her hair.
An MRI conducted after the failed colostomy operation confirmed everyone’s worst fear: the cancer had spread. The new cancer is located in a cluster of lymph nodes near her intestines. Alicia’s medical team decided she was too weak to continue chemotherapy at this time, so they are hoping to do a direct radiation treatment to the lymph node cluster as she regains her strength to undergo at least 2 more upcoming surgeries.
The financial burden is, of course, a major obstacle in Alicia’s recovery and the medical costs that Alicia and her husband Dan face are insurmountable. In addition to the amount of work that Alicia has missed due to her previous operations and treatments, she took a leave of absence after her new diagnosis and plans to be out of work for the remainder of 2018, at the very least. She has applied for SSDI, but the process takes approximately 6 months and there is no guarantee she will be approved.
Alicia and her family hope to consult with the esteemed Mayo Clinic regarding the treatment and prognosis of her now extremely complicated illness, however the institution does not accept her current health insurance, so all costs for an expert second opinion and further would be out-of-pocket.
Alicia and Dan are in need of your help! Please donate if you are able and PLEASE continue to share your thoughts, prayers, and love with Alicia and her family as she continues her fight.
Go Izzy!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Lauren Aamoth
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
Dianne Aamoth
Beneficiary
