Colleen Elder's Fight Against Cancer

Hi everyone! If you've found yourself reading this that means you clicked on the link to either donate or read about my moms story so far. Either way it is appreciated! My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2024, as we were following protocols to do her mastectomy they unfortunately found a mass in her left lung. Further investigation showed that it also made its way to some of her left lymph nodes. Even finding out this horrible news we were ready for the fight. My mom has since went through a total of 4 rounds of chemo therapy, as well as, 4 rounds immuno therapy. The doctors were very confident in this plan and proceeded to go ahead with surgery to remove the mass from her lung making her in remission and later proceeding with the mastectomy. Well as you can guess, things did not go as planned. On June 26th she went in for surgery. The first thing the surgeon did is check the right side lymph nodes to make sure the cancer did not spread. Keep in mind that previous scans before the surgery showed all of her right side negative, lung and lymph nodes. To all of our surprise, the right side lymph nodes were positive for adenocarcinoma. That day felt like my mom was being diagnosed for the very first time. Especially when she woke up from surgery with a gleaming smile on her face thinking she is lung cancer free. Just for my dad having to tell her they couldn't proceed with the surgery because it has spread. I watched the brightest smile on her face fall, as her and my dad's eyes swelled up and tears profusely ran down. In that moment I felt my heart break more than ever, knowing there was nothing I could do. Now our current doctors want my mom to do 47 rounds of radiation 5 days a week and more chemo therapy once a week until the radiation is complete. The radiologist when asked by me, " how successful is radiation?" stated 40-50% of people who complete radiation hopefully get another 5 more years, but the way my moms body didn't accept the chemo she might fall lower in that percentile. I'm sorry WHAT? This completely stunned my mom and I. Our oncologist is telling us we are still fighting this battle to get rid of the cancer and now the radiologist is telling us we'll be lucky to have 5 more years with her? My mom is still young. She has absolutely no symptoms that the average person would have showing if they have the same cancer, thus being we caught the mass on accident. She has already defied so many odds and statistics so far. Having 3 major strokes, a heart attack, a hole in her heart, now 2 types of cancer, going through chemo and she still looks as good as the day that cover picture was taken. She is ALWAYS the most positive and radiating person when you're in the same room with her, even to this day. Yes, my mom has lived a very good life so far, and she fought every second to get to where she is now, but it isn't nearly over. She deserves to see her daughters get married and have kids, meet her grand kids and spend the rest of her life happy and in love with my dad like they vowed to do 28 years ago until death. I'm sorry but we do not accept "5 more years". Those who know me (Stephanie her youngest daughter) knows that I will move mountains for this woman. I will do everything in my power and more to help her fight this battle and defy these odds and statistics as well. This fundraiser isn't just to help with chemo or surgery bills. This fundraiser is to help my family, My mom, to find another way. To find multiple ways so that we have every option we can before making decisions. We want to get second opinions, 3rd opinions, 4th or even 5th if need be. We are looking into clinical trials, alternative solutions as well. A lot that the insurance will not cover and one of my biggest fears is finding a solution and not being able to afford it. This world needs more people on it like the kind amazing soul my mother is. So I ask you, we all ask you for some help, please. We cant lose the rock of our family, not yet. Help us find another way. Even just for more time because 5 years just simply is NOT enough. Anything helps, donations, advice, guidance, referrals, personal stories or experiences, even prayers. From the bottom of our hearts, my family and all of the lives my mom has touched this far, greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,

Colleen Elder, Steve Elder, Denyse Murray, Karly Elder, and Stephanie Elder