The purpose of this Fundraiser is to raise funds to help with medical expenses, travel expenses, and living expenses for Christine Skidmore (Howe). Christine described her diagnosis journey far better than I ever could, and to be honest I hoped I would never have to ever sit down and think of how to put all of this into words for anyone I love.

Below is written by Christine and posted to Facebook to keep everyone updated.

The last few months have been a whirlwind of information and a big reality check on what life can throw at you.

In October, I felt it and couldn’t find it easily.

In November, I could find it easier, I made an appointment.

December 16th , I could feel it without even looking for it and had a consultation scared out of my mind.

December 30th, I had my mammogram.

15 minutes after leaving the mammogram and ultrasound appointment, I got a call from the radiologist….I knew this wasn’t a good sign and the radiologist was very clear on what to expect and what he was seeing. He scheduled my biopsy immediately for that following Monday.

January 6 - biopsy of a rather large mass and an enlarged lymph node.

January 8th - 8:30 pm my radiologist calls me with the results:

Lymph node negative for any metastatic disease.

Breast positive for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma - Stage 2

*Breast Cancer*

As I waited for my genetic testing results, the time went by so slow and felt like every day was just rolling through the motions of work, home, laundry, activities, back home, bed, back to work, repeat. Longest 2 weeks of my life!

Genetic testing results:

BRCA 1: positive

Unfortunately my genetic testing confirmed that I have a gene mutation passed down from my mom. Who most of you know lost her battle with breast and colon cancer at the age of 31….I'm 32, so imagine my surprise of my whole world turning and then stopping on a dime with every bit of information that’s been thrown my way in the last month and wondering why this happened?!? Then realizing it wasn’t anything or anyone’s fault, it’s because of 1 gene…I got the unlucky mix of genes....well damn….this sucks.

After lots of appointments and 2nd opinions, I’ll be choosing UTSouthwestern to go forward with treatment and care for anything I may need.

Dr. Unni - Oncologist

Dr. Farr - Breast Surgeon

Dr. Haddock - Reconstruction + Plastic Surgeon

A million nurses and techs and assistants and fellows and social workers and psychologists and all the resources I can possibly imagine is the very reason why I’m choosing UTSW for my care. They’re one of the best, and they have an amazing amount of resources available to me.

Things in my future:

*Lots of information!

*Trip to NY to see my family and friends before I start treatment in Mid March

*Preparation for treatment including my Port and some other tests to make sure I’m good to go. (Week of February 10th, 2025)

*Chemo - a big scary word, but it’s just another thing to get through.

* to kick this thing in the ass and not look back

I got this, I’m scared, it sucks, but I got this!

I have an amazing group of people supporting me! Thank you all! You know who you are.

My last point is to thank my husband. He’s been by my side every single appointment, every bit of information he has taken in with me! I love you, and thank you Cody. Without you, this information and scary part of life would be very different!