Help Dena Waltrip’s Fight Against Cancer!

As many of you know and those who may not, my sister, Dena Waltrip of Williamsburg, VA was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 Peritoneal Carcinomatosis (cancer spreading within the abdonminal cavity).This is a rare and aggressive condition, affecting about 1% of all cancer patients. "Well I guess I'm just an over achiever" Dena says.

Dena has always been outgoing, friendly, funny and giving to those that need help. She has organized many fundraisers for those battleing cancer or down on their luck and overwhelmed. Many of you reading this have been touched by her endless generosity and now it is our time to help her. My sister is usually the life of the party, even the oncology surgeon noticed that about her at their first appointment. That is a trait she got from her Daddy, Timmy Waltrip. Her joking, positivity and making light of such a serious situation is the best medicine as she faces the hardest thing she's ever had to face in her life.

She has taken her career in the local municipality very seriously and has climbed the ladder with dedication, commitment and loyalty. She takes great pride in being the Wastewater Collection Superintendent. Outside of work, she enjoys singing, dancing, boating, being at the race track, camping, entertaining others and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

How we came to be here...

After dealing with pain for 3 days, Dena decided it was time to seek medical attention. Test results showed her appendix very enlarged and the lining inflamed. After the emergency surgeon tried to remove it laproscopically, he had to do an open cut due to an enormous amount of scar tissue. Over 3 hours later she was left with a new scar and 31 staples. The appendix was sent off for biopsy... pT4 goblet cell carcinoma (GCA). This is where a tumor has spread beyond the appendix wall and a more advanced stage of cancer is taking place requiring more aggressive treatment.

Dena is scheduled for a surgery commonly referred to a MOAS- Mother of All Surgeries on Thursday April 10th at the VCU Massey Cancer Center. They will be performing a cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS & HIPEC). During the 10 to 12 hour procedure they will be removing the right colon, spleen, gallbladder, ovaries, omentum, and cancer nodules along with partial removal of the liver, bladder and stomach. The normal recovery time is 6 months or more, that includes an 8 to 12 day stay in the hospital.

Dena has always been a strong person who likes to be in control and has never been the type to accept offerings from others. Our family has always been here for each other but feel that she will need more than just our help. If you can, share this with friends and family or just say a prayer for Dena. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated.