Help Andrea continue to kick cancer's butt!

Hello everyone!

My name is Andrea, although some of you may know me as Dre.

3 1/2 years ago, just a few short months after Mickey and I were married, we received the news that all of the "tummy" issues I had for years were, in fact, cancer. My diagnosis was officially Stage 4 Metastatic Colorectal cancer that had spread to many lymph nodes, my lungs, and my liver. It is incurable, yet treatable, but the statistics are not great, and I will be on chemotherapy for the rest of my life.

I really can't describe the tangle of emotions that comes with a diagnosis like mine, to fight a battle you can't possibly win, but all of the fear and anger and guilt was quickly overshadowed by the strength, compassion and positivity of my husband. We decided very quickly that we could do this - we could fight this battle as long as possible and find any excuse to smile along the way. I am currently going on my 83rd round of chemo, losing my hair for a third time, and couldn't be more proud of myself!

After my diagnosis, I immediately had surgery and began chemotherapy. Everything about my life had changed - this was my new normal. I couldn't work, so began filling my extra time (when I wasn't sick from the chemo) with the things that I love - painting, reading, gardening, baking. Most of all, spending time with our little family - a dog, a cat(or two), and three chickens. (They're furry and feathered, but they are our kids and their cuddles continue to be my favorite medicine!)

My infusions were every other week, so we were thrown into a rollercoaster lifestyle - one really bad week and one not-so-bad week; repeat. Eventually Covid happened and we just stayed home to stay safe, with the exception of countless hospital visits and treatments and Mick's days at work. We were just living our happy, hermit-like rollercoaster lifestyle, and began to feel comfort in our routine. But the last year has been a different story, because cancer has a mind of its own.

Towards the end of last year, we discovered a second tumor in my pelvis, that had been pressing on the nerves in my lower back, causing incredible back and sciatic pain. I was urgently assigned radiation therapy, and spent a month over Christmas and New Years having those treatments, which successfully removed the two tumors in my pelvis and eased my pain. Recovery was slow, but I eventually started being able to move around better, and we were getting back into our rollercoaster routine.

Then in June, I first felt a pain that, within the next few weeks would become so strong - a pain I couldn't have imagined the human body capable of experiencing. We found two more masses in my pelvis, and we immediately began adding a very toxic and strong new chemo drug to my regimen, along with very strong pain medication. I have been mostly confined to bed for the last few months, unable to stand or walk for more than a minute or two at a time, woozy and unable to contribute anything to our daily lives. My husband carries the burden of taking care of my every need as well as everything that needs to be done around the house.

It has been a long and tiring few months (and years!) lately, but the medicine is working and I am slowly beginning to feel better, have less pain, and move around a little more. I will be taking my 6th round of the new chemo drug and having a scan in the coming weeks. Fingers crossed we've gotten rid of these new masses!

As difficult as the treatments and sickness have been, the financial anxiety we have been under throughout all of this has been the worst part, and we have come to a point where we have to ask you all for help.

This is very difficult for us, on so many levels, but at this point I feel it is our only option. The money we raise will be used to pay the unending medical bills and debt that I've acquired thus far, and hopefully help with future treatments, scans and equipment. It will help us make our home more accessible and comfortable for my current situation, as well as helping my family be able to visit. I also hope to be able to take some of the financial burden off of my amazing parents, who have recently helped us get reliable transportation, and who are basically spending their retirement to keep me alive. We are so fortunate to have them, and most certainly wouldn't have been able to make it the last few years without them. (Love you mom and dad) With some financial piece of mind we will be able to focus all of our attention on my getting better rather than the mounting bills and keeping a roof over our heads.

In addition to my parents, I'd like to thank my godmother for all of her help and support, my aunt for her cards filled with encouragement and strength, and the rest of our families for their support and love. I'd like to thank my doctors and my nurses at Florida Cancer Specialists. They are truly amazing! And I'd like to thank the folks at Mick's work for always being there for us, despite the fact that Mick has to take off regularly to take me to my many appointments. Mostly, I'd like to thank my husband, but he already knows he's my everything. I hate that he has to share this journey with me, but I wouldn't have made it without his strength and determination and the beautiful way he sees the world.

And I'd like to thank you for reading this. I am not good at asking for help, much less admitting that I need it. I understand the world is crazy and expensive these days, and deeply appreciate any help you can give our family. We promise to fight this as long as possible and with every bit of strength we can muster! Please share this! I will add updates as we go along.

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!

Andrea and Mickey Cuthbertson

UPDATE: Sept 26,2022

Hello everyone!! Thank you so much for your donations and words of encouragement! Mick and I are blown away by the support you have given us!! I am improving! I am able to move around again (working my way up to dog walks - hopefully soon!) and currently in much less pain than I have been in for months! Also had some positive results on my recent CT scan, so this extremely harsh chemotherapy is working. Please keep us in your thoughts as these treatments are very difficult. Also, thanks to your donations we were able to order a special genetic sequencing test, which was not covered by insurance, in the hopes we can find some specialized treatment options. Fingers crossed! Thank you again! We love you all!