Help Destiny fight inflammatory breast cancer IBC
Donation protected
Valerie who many of you know her by her nickname Destiny or Desto ElGato
She was diagnosed with a very rare and very aggressive form of breast cancer known as inflammatory breast cancer on her 51st birthday October 12, 2021. This breast cancer starts in late stage, stage 3 to stage 4. It then requires very vigorous aggressive treatment. It tends to spread quickly to other areas in organs in the body.
This type of cancer is almost impossible to find in the earlier stages as it does not show up on typical mammograms and requires ultrasound, PET scan and MRI as well as biopsies if lumps are present, And bloodwork.
She lost her business in March 2020 and due to chronic pain from osteoarthritis was already unable to work over the past year and a half. The pandemic didn’t help that situation either. She was planning on two knee replacements to be done this year and then have her hips replaced early next year that is now no longer able to happen.
Destiny will most likely be starting chemo before the end of this month. she will be receiving chemo every two weeks for anywhere from 4 to 5 months. After that she will get a second MRI and then move on to a double mastectomy, after that radiation treatments 1 to 2 times a day for about five weeks.
This is a particularly nasty form of cancer that can be very tricky and come back very quickly, even a couple of weeks after mastectomy so there may be more chemo after radiation if needed.
This also holds off reconstruction of the breast for 1 to 2 years after full treatment if she is clear of cancer at that time.
Costs of co-pays, transportation, as well as everyday living expenses are already adding up quickly. She’s looking at a minimum of a year-long fight with IBC . Here is a link below with more information of the specific cancer since it is so uncommon many are not aware of it.
Destiny actually discovered this cancer on her own. The first thing she noticed was swelling and pain under the right armpit, she assumed that she pulled a muscle and didn’t pay much attention to it. A couple of weeks later she noticed a very large mass in the upper portion of her right breast.
She did do some research on her own once she noticed thickening skin, swelling, the entire breast turned red, and the nipple would invert. She learned these were all common signs of inflammatory breast cancer, this cancer doesn’t always come with lumps, but she has a few tumors as well.
She acted quickly. Luckily her doctor at Jefferson hospital took her seriously and got her in with a breast specialist right away. This cancer very often is misdiagnosed for months at a time.
Her cancer team at Jefferson hospital has been fantastic at pushing her quickly through testing and scans.
After the next two steps (MRI and Pet Scan) she will be getting her port inserted into her chest to begin chemotherapy.
She will be sharing her entire journey on her social media accounts. As well as on here as updates. She wishes to make others aware and know the signs to look for with this rare and aggressive cancer.
Valerie has lived most of her life in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, she loves her city, she has a very loving and supportive partner, she has two wonderful cats that she absolutely adores. She also loves music, dancing, reading, and movies.
Destiny intends on fighting this with everything that she has, she’s always been strong and independent and so many have already showed so much love and support.
She’s never been one to ask for help, but cancer is expensive so anything that you could give would be truly appreciated and if you are unable to donate sharing this would be equally amazing.
Thank you all for reading this, and thank you in advance for donating and or sharing this.
Organizer and beneficiary
Skyler Grey
Organizer
Lansdale, PA
Valerie Kocher
Beneficiary