Main fundraiser photo

pregnant with cancer possible stage IV

Donation protected
I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer at 6 months pregnant. My husband and I were expecting our first child. (Baby Quinton). We went in for a normal 6 month ultrasound and a week later I was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer that has spread to at least one lymph node. From the day of the 6 month checkup to the following Friday I received a breast & node ultrasound, breast & node biopsy, chest surgery for a port placement & started chemo. Because of the pregnancy were are not able to run the tests to stage the cancer or determine how far it had spread or if it was already terminal. This was a hard blow for our family. I recieved 4 rounds of chemotherapy during my pregnancy. Quinton was born on Christmas eve @ 7lbs 5oz 20inchs. perfectly healthy!! They remove my ovaries & tubes during the csection, throwing me into an immediate surgical menopause (a few hours after giving birth). Because hormones were feeding the cancer, it was in my best interest to remove all hormones from my system. The cancer is unfortunately also Her2+ making it extremely aggressive. I just received the results from my ct scan jan 22nd. They confirmed the breast and lymph node cancer, (possibly both breasts) and many bilateral renal nodules in both lungs. The nodules are to small to biopsy without opening my chest cavity. If they are cancerous this means I'm stage IV metastatic and have about five years to live. I've requested an ultrasound & MRI to check the breasts and brain before we start chemo again. I will start chemo weekly for the next year on jan 31st. With ct scans to follow every 3 months. I will then have a double mastectomy and other surgeries in about a year. I am scared to death my baby will not remember me if i dont make it. I am fighting so hard for my growing family. We tried for a few years to get pregnant, and just as I accepted it probably wasn't in the cards; I got those 2 pink lines. My heart is so full of joy for the little life I created. ❤❤ All I want is to survive this to be able to be a mom to my little guy. We are trying to raise money to help with medical expenses, travel to and from treatments and all the unpaid time my husband will miss at work. I will lose most of my insurance at the end of February 2020. Between a newborn and all the surgery's and treatments... I will need my husband home alot to help me & baby survive this. Thank you for talking the time to read this. Our heart goes out to all dealing with cancer in any way. Ladies please check yourselves. If you do happen to find anything abnormal (as I did 2 months prior to my pregnancy) don't let your dr brush it off. Request/demand testing regardless of your age. Get a second opinion if you need too. I wish I had know to request more testing. I WISH someone had told me!! I just figured my dr knew best.. and I was so relieved it was nothing. If they would had done a simple ultrasound, I could have cought this before the pregnancy. And possibly before it had spread. All our love.. Crystal, Tim & baby Quinton. ❤❤❤❤ We also decided to do an interview to promote breast cancer awareness. If you would like to watch the link below: https://cbs58.com/news/manitowoc-woman-fighting-aggressive-breast-cancer-while-pregnant-due-on-christmas-eve
Donate

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $9 
    • 4 yrs
Donate

Organizer and beneficiary

Timothy Saari
Organizer
Manitowoc, WI
Crystal Zander
Beneficiary

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.