Jeanne Barrett was told in 2015 she has GIST. In 2017, after being told her liver and pelvis were clear from cancer, Jeanne eventually learned a year later that was not true and she had not been given the proper direction and care. She dedicated herself to learning how she would cure herself from this very rare cancer.

She went to Roswell where they put her on another chemo that kept her stable for another year and a half. She often complained about her thyroid not working correctly but was not given the proper help for it. She kept researching. She went to Sloan Kettering to get another opinion and they wouldn’t do anything beyond what was already being done. Soon after, the current chemo stopped working.

From there she went Dana Farber where her Doctor at Roswell advised that a trial drug would work best. Within 3 months, the GIST had grown in both her pelvis and liver then also appeared in her abdominal area as well. 

She went to Cancer Treatment Centers of America where she met a radiologist who fought for her to get the targeted radiation even when the oncologist there didn’t want her to. She got it done,  and it worked great. She was doing really well and was up for surgery when COVID began. Her oncologist dropped her, and said no to surgery (going against what the radiologist recommended and the NP suggested)  and she was at a loss. She went back to Roswell, to her old Doctor and was told she can go back to Dana Farber and go back on the trial drug. She said you already sent me there and felt like another number. 

Jean went to her priest, Father Matt who repeatedly advised her to stop going to research centers, and find a place that worked on her entire body even if they are out of network.

During this time she had no chemo, and no where to turn to, but she went to Cardea Health to ensure her immune system was strong. She also researched and was able to find two places: Immunity Therapy Center in Mexico, and Dr. Jeanne Stryker in San Diego.

Not even a week later in the height of covid she left her 7 year old son and went to Mexico to fight for her life as she was considered to have stage 4 cancer. These two places have been excellent, and have offered alternatives ways to kill the cancer which have been the most successful efforts at reducing the cancer. 

Now a year later, Jeanne is being seen locally at Buffalo Medical Group where her current doctor follows her Dr. Jeanne Styrker’s advice. Her scans have been coming back better and better, however, there may still be living cancer in the liver. As a result, her doctor in Mexico, and Dr. Jeanne in California have advised Jean to come back to them and redo what they did last time (due to how successful it was to Jean's body) and to ensure no cancer comes back. 

All of this has been incredibly expensive.  Jeanne's parents have had spend their retirement money to help save her life.  Jeanne has sold everything she owns, and when she comes back from Mexicao, she is selling her house. Her and her son currently live with her parents to keep their bills down. 

If you are able to, please donate whatever you can to help Jeanne.

Thanks for reading about her fight and supporting her and her family.