Help Justina Beat Cancer
Donation protected
Our Story:
At the end of January, we discovered a suspicious lump in Justina's breast. After a mammogram and ultrasound it was determined a biopsy was needed. The results and further exams revealed that she has IDC: TNBC, 2.9 cm, no metastasis.
So, IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma) is the most common type of breast cancer - about 80%. TNBC (triple negative breast cancer) occurs in about 10-20% of those cases.
There are two additional things to consider in Justina's case. One, this mass might be medullary... which accounts for less than 5% of all breast cancers. Medullary breast carcinomas look more aggressive (they are high on all the scales) but they act less aggressive and are less likely to move to other parts of the body - they also respond to treatment better.
However, you can't fully know if it's medullary until it's removed (which happens after initial treatment).
Two, it is more common for people with medullary masses to have a BRCA mutation (you may recall that Angelina Jolie had this mutation and went ahead with surgery preemptively).
So, they will perform genetic testing as well - likely when we return.
Our Plan:
We've decided on a treatment path. We have chosen to go to an inpatient hospital for 20 days.
We chose this option because of the type of breast cancer. Triple negative, IDC. The triple negative means it is not driven by estrogen or progesterone or HER2. Which also means that there are no medications that can be taken. For example, if you are ER or PR positive, you can take hormone suppressors.
The inpatient option allows Justina to focus on treatments (treating the whole body and the cancer). We can work while there and the rooms are private so I will be able to be with her the entire time.
Appeal For Help:
We have been financially assisting Justina's mother for the past few years as well. Just today we discovered that Betty's lung cancer returned, has spread, and the prognosis is not good: The cancer can't be operated on and she will be put on hospice.
In addition to Justina's cancer treatment costs, there will be a lot of out of pocket expenses (e.g. travel, medications, dietary needs, etc), and would be forever grateful for any help you would like to provide!
Our Promise:
All funds will be used for expenses associated with Justina's treatment. Any unused funds will be donated to Cancer Research Institute: https://www.cancerresearch.org/
God bless all of you.
At the end of January, we discovered a suspicious lump in Justina's breast. After a mammogram and ultrasound it was determined a biopsy was needed. The results and further exams revealed that she has IDC: TNBC, 2.9 cm, no metastasis.
So, IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma) is the most common type of breast cancer - about 80%. TNBC (triple negative breast cancer) occurs in about 10-20% of those cases.
There are two additional things to consider in Justina's case. One, this mass might be medullary... which accounts for less than 5% of all breast cancers. Medullary breast carcinomas look more aggressive (they are high on all the scales) but they act less aggressive and are less likely to move to other parts of the body - they also respond to treatment better.
However, you can't fully know if it's medullary until it's removed (which happens after initial treatment).
Two, it is more common for people with medullary masses to have a BRCA mutation (you may recall that Angelina Jolie had this mutation and went ahead with surgery preemptively).
So, they will perform genetic testing as well - likely when we return.
Our Plan:
We've decided on a treatment path. We have chosen to go to an inpatient hospital for 20 days.
We chose this option because of the type of breast cancer. Triple negative, IDC. The triple negative means it is not driven by estrogen or progesterone or HER2. Which also means that there are no medications that can be taken. For example, if you are ER or PR positive, you can take hormone suppressors.
The inpatient option allows Justina to focus on treatments (treating the whole body and the cancer). We can work while there and the rooms are private so I will be able to be with her the entire time.
Appeal For Help:
We have been financially assisting Justina's mother for the past few years as well. Just today we discovered that Betty's lung cancer returned, has spread, and the prognosis is not good: The cancer can't be operated on and she will be put on hospice.
In addition to Justina's cancer treatment costs, there will be a lot of out of pocket expenses (e.g. travel, medications, dietary needs, etc), and would be forever grateful for any help you would like to provide!
Our Promise:
All funds will be used for expenses associated with Justina's treatment. Any unused funds will be donated to Cancer Research Institute: https://www.cancerresearch.org/
God bless all of you.
Organizer
Michael Blackburn
Organizer
Pullman, WA
