Desiree's story

They say that "You don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."

My name is Donna Friesen. I have felt great love for my beautiful niece Desiree Petrick since the first time I held her in my arms. If you have had the pleasure of ever meeting Desiree, you will notice that her smile and essence light up a room. She has an innocent, kind spirit - always willing to give her time, love and support to her family and friends. I truly appreciate you taking a moment to read my niece Desiree's story. We are raising funds because she is fighting for her life after being diagnosed with a high-grade Astrocytoma brain tumor that is being treated as a Glioblastoma. There are so many unplanned expenses.

Desiree is 42 years old, married to her husband Trent Petrick for 21 years and together they have raised two children that are now amazing young adults. Their handsome son Corbin is 21 years, has graduated from high school and his fun-loving personality is a pleasure. His smile is most charming. Their beautiful 18-year-old daughter Izabell just graduated from High School and is very talented. Her drawing is quite extraordinary. Her infectious smile is beautiful radiating her soft, warm, and kind personality. This family’s world exploded just prior to Christmas 2023.

On December 19th things didn’t seem right, Deisree was struggling with headaches and numbness in her right hand, so they went to a nearby rural emergency department where a CT revealed a 9 cm tumor in the left side of her brain. Desiree was immediately transferred by EMS to the University of Alberta Hospital to see a neurosurgeon who responded swiftly to relieve the swelling in her brain by performing surgery on December 22nd. Due to the anatomical location of the tumor in Desirees brain successful surgery was removing as much of the tumor as possible (60%) to relieve the pressure that it was putting on her brain. The surgery was successful and a plan to hit the remaining 40% of the tumor hard with aggressive chemotherapy and radiation was developed after she recovered from the surgery.

On December 23rd Desiree was discharged from the Hospital so that she could be with her family for the Christmas holiday. The extended family were there to ensure that this holiday was memorable and extraordinary for Desiree, Trent, Corbin, and Izabell.

In late January Desiree started the aggressive course of chemotherapy and radiation. Unfortunately, Desire had so many complications - her blood levels dropped dangerously low, so the chemotherapy had to be stopped and over the course of the next couple of months Desiree was in and out of ambulatory care – long visits for a variety of platelet and blood transfusions. With a low white blood cell count she acquired a severe infection which led to another 2-week hospitalization. The physicians graciously helped Desiree and Trent find funding for 10 doses of a very expensive medication that built up her white blood cells. Thankfully it was effective, and Desiree was able to return home.

Desiree was discharged from the hospital into a Virtual Hospital where a team of experts consulted with her and Trent daily to review her blood work results and decide the next step which continued to involve frequent infusions to stabilize her blood counts. It is a blessing that Desiree was able to be at home with her family. Trent guides and supports each detail of her care; I have had the honor of observing a deep love and partnership when I watch these two together. Their goal is consistent and unrelenting for each other and for their children.

In May unfortunately Desiree had a seizure. A new anticonvulsant medication was added to her medication regime that contributes to her short-term memory lapses. Several follow up MRIs looked promising until the most recent one.

On July 12th the MRI results suggested that the tumor was active and growing and the family was told that it would likely require another surgery that could potentially leave Desiree partially paralyzed. This news shattered the family.

As of Friday June 19, 2024, the physician team isn’t confident that it is growing so she will be having a different scan to confirm on way or the other. We will find out definitively in the very near future.

Desiree has been started on an alternative treatment that has shown some promising results in other people, but its cost is not covered by healthcare insurance, and it is very expensive - $1200/month. Trent is a hard-working young man who always takes great care providing for his family, but he was laid off work just before Desiree was diagnosed and he has sold everything he can to make sure that he can be home with her for as long as possible. Multiple ambulance trips and medications are very costly. Desiree needs to be monitored constantly as the impact of this devastating illness causes confusion, forgetfulness, and mobility issues. What this beautiful family is going through is horrific, each day is different, it is like riding a roller coaster without any control of the many twists and turns thrust there way and this family are hanging on for dear life – Desiree’s life. The added financial burden that has been put on them is very stressful and I pray that together we can get behind this family to minimize it so that they can focus only on what truly matters. Desiree is facing this battle with incredible courage and resilience. Trent is a pillar of strength; with unwavering determination he stands strong beside his wife and his children.

Thank you for taking the time to read Desiree’s story and for any support you can provide. If you can’t support financially, sharing my niece’s story with others is also a powerful way to support. By spreading the word, you can help us reach more people who may also be able to help during this difficult time.

Your kindness and generosity mean a lot. We would be forever appreciative for any amount you can contribute.