Help Andrea Kick Rectal Cancer…in the ASS!

Help Andrea Kick Rectal Cancer…in the ASS!

Dear Friends and Family,

Hello. My name is Samantha and I’m organizing this fundraiser for my beautiful sister, Andrea. For those that know Andrea, you know that she is an inspiring and fearless wife, special needs mom, daughter, sister, aunt and dedicated Veterinary Technician. Andrea has recently been diagnosed with Stage 3 Rectal Cancer and is gearing up for the battle of her life!

As you can only imagine, this diagnosis has turned their lives upside down. Andrea has been experiencing some severe GI issues that began in February. She had an upper GI scope and colonoscopy on June 7 where the doctor informed her that he found a tumor in her descending rectum, and he was 99% sure it was cancer. Pathology samples were taken, and things moved very quickly from there.

Andrea saw a colorectal surgeon 3 days later who delivered the devasting news that she has Rectal Adenocarcionoma. The surgeon discussed that given the location of her tumor, surgery is not the first choice of treatment. Instead, she will need to undergo radiation and oral chemotherapy first, then IV chemotherapy infusions to shrink the tumor and potential surgery later down the road.

After additional testing, Andrea saw her Oncologist and was officially diagnosed with having Stage 3 Rectal Adenocarcinoma. This means that the tumor has invaded all 3 layers of the rectum and has spread to 2 local lymph nodes. Luckily, the cancer has not spread to her liver, lungs or anywhere else in her body. Andrea will undergo a combination of radiation and oral chemotherapy Monday – Friday for 5-6 weeks then gets a chemo port surgically placed and start IV chemotherapy once every 2 weeks for 4 months. Her Oncologist discussed a clinical trial that is taking place where she may be chosen to get an additional IV chemotherapy drug and she has signed up for the study. All of her treatments will take place at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, about one hour away from where they live.

Once she finishes up the treatments, she will have all the scans taken again to see what effect the treatment has had on the tumor and to determine if surgery will be necessary. If surgery is needed, her colorectal surgeon is pretty confident she will need an abdominoperineal resection (APR) where she will be left with a permanent colostomy.

A little background on Andrea. She is married to the love of her life, Andres, for 17 years and they have a 12-year-old daughter, Marisol, who likes to be called Mari. She is on the Autism Spectrum and is the apple of their eyes. Andrea has worked in the veterinary field for the past 25+ years and continues to work full-time as a Veterinary Technician. Unfortunately, she recently changed jobs in early May and her elected short-term and long-term disability benefits don’t begin until July 1st; meaning that this cancer diagnosis is considered a pre-existing condition, and she is unable to collect any sort of work-related disability. She is also not eligible for FMLA due to the rules that one must work for the employer for 12 months. She really wants to continue working during treatment, but there is uncertainty if she can physically perform her job duties and if it safe to do so.

Andrea has also been through a plethora of medical issues her entire life. She battles Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome on a daily basis. She has undergone two low back surgeries and now has a lumbar fusion as well as a cervical (neck) fusion. In addition, she has Chiari I Malformation in her brain which causes severe, debilitating migraines and neurologic symptoms. To top it off, she deals with Osteoarthritis and knee and hip issues. Despite all her medical problems, she has always maintained a positive outlook on life and has rolled with the punches so to speak.

Andrea is taking on this fight like the absolute warrior she has always been- with faith, hope, and one hell of a positive attitude. Anyone who has met Andrea knows she radiates strength, kindness, love, laughter, and is always there to talk and lift someone’s spirits. She is one of the most loving, caring, honest, and real people you will ever meet!

She’s not wild about my idea of asking the folks in her life to contribute to a fund to help during this time in her life, but it seems the perfect way of allowing the people she loves to show how much they love and care for her while she kick’s cancer’s butt! In true Andrea fashion, she handled this news with a smile on her face and pressed through with joy and laughter (which is mind-blowing!) … and making constant butt jokes! If you know anything about Andrea, you know she hates, and I want to emphasize HATES asking for help with ANYTHING (even while dealing with cancer). So, I have taken it upon myself to do this for her.

Inevitably, this process will take a toll on her not only physically and emotionally, but financially as well. I want her sole focus to be taking care of herself throughout treatment, and on her recovery afterwards – not on how to afford the cost of living through cancer. As we know, things like mortgage payments, groceries, gas, medications not covered by insurance, etc. can add up quickly.

If you can make a contribution, know that it will go a long way and that anything you’re able to contribute will make a difference – there is no such thing as too small an offering.

Please keep my beautiful sister and best friend in your thoughts and prayers and send positive messages her way! We understand that not everyone can donate, so we ask that you pray and send positive energy, strength, and love to Andrea and help us spread the word by sharing this GoFundMe.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for keeping Andrea and her family in your prayers and for your generosity and compassion! She plans to post updates as she navigates through treatment to keep everyone in the loop on her progress. Again, thank you so much for reading her story and for your love and support!!! It truly means the world to her and our family!