We have set up this GoFund me account to help Diane Sullivan with her out-of-pocket expenses associated with her Cancer diagnosis and journey. So many people have rallied around Diane, offering prayers and support, but wanted a chance to do more. This is our chance to help Diane through this journey in her life and make it a bit easier for her. Please share with anyone you think would like to be involved.

On August 3, 2021, Diane went to the dentist for a teeth cleaning, and mentioned a swollen area in the upper back portion of her palette. Diane was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, an exceedingly rare salivary cancerous tumor that is .0002% of all cancers and diagnosed in approximately 1,200 people a year. After several consultations, tests and biopsies, Diane had surgery on 10/27/2021, at UT Southwestern in Dallas, TX, that lasted 10 hours. During the surgery, they removed the soft and hard palate, performed a partial maxillectomy, partial removal of nasal and sinus cavities, two teeth, and twenty-four lymph nodes. They attempted to reconstruct the roof of her mouth by also removing blood vessels and skin from her arm and relocating them to her palette through an incision in her neck, unfortunately this failed. Subsequently, she had to endure a follow-up surgery and spent a total of 16 days in the hospital, including 5 days in ICU. Diane spent an additional 9 days in a rehab facility, where she started occupational, physical and group therapy and might have bested many of the older patients in several spirited rounds of Bingo. Diane finally returned home on 11/20/21, 4 weeks after her first surgery!!!

She quickly began prep for the next step in her treatment and started close to 7 weeks of radiation on 12/13/2021. Diane’s days are filled with many therapies and treatments including, Dynasplint exercises for her jaw three times a day, left arm exercises for the skin graft six times a day, oral rinses six times a day, fluoride treatment, all her other oral care routine and nightly cool humidifier. Occupational and Speech therapy visits as well as seeing a wound care specialist for treatment of the skin graft on her arm. As a result of her surgery, Diane will need to wear an Obturator and has been working closely with a Prosthodontist for both her temporary and permanent one that she will wear for the rest of her life.

Throughout her journey, Diane has relied on her Faith and family and friends to get her through all she has had to endure. Grateful that they cleared the margins, Diane faces a long road ahead in her recovery journey and is currently facing more than $50,000 in out-of-pocket medical bills. She is hopeful that the upcoming MRI and PET scan will confirm the cancer has been completely removed. She has these appointments in late April and early May. Our hope is that this GoFund me campaign can provide Diane with relief from many of these medical bills and help ease this part of the burden this journey has brought. Many thanks in advance for anything you can do to support Diane.