- K
The Backstory
Kim’s fight against cancer began in September 2012 when she was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer. This struck incredibly close to home, as Kim had lost her twin sister, Karen, to a similar fight with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1994. If anyone knows Kim as a friend, you know that resilience and determination is innately part of her; for the sake of her children, husband, parents, siblings and love for life, she immediately began treatment. Ranging from a double mastectomy to chemotherapy, her fight was not won easily, but with the support of her loved ones she emerged with a fervor and appreciation of life stronger than ever. These years following her treatment were filled with a new mindset centered on the importance of healthy, active living, preventive resource development, and an unmatched sense of awareness and gratitude for the beauty of each present-day.
Though Kim’s perspective has not wavered in the years since her first diagnosis, it has not come without bumps in the road. Unfortunately, in September 2015, Kim’s breast cancer metastasized to her bones. In order to continue fighting, she underwent surgery and remained on oral chemotherapy.
Where We Are Now
In recent time, Kim has been battling what doctors thought to be Ulcerative Colitis and other digestive issues. She was experiencing jaundice, skin issues and acute abdominal pains. After months of numerous questions left unanswered, Kim began to presume there was a larger underlying issue. We all know Kim to be a fighter and an advocate for herself, as many cancer warriors must be, so she began requesting more specific research such as scans and an endoscopic biopsy. These tests led doctors to tissue samples that indicated the presence of a new tumor in her pancreas that is unrelated to her previous battles of cancer. While we are grateful for Kim’s willfulness and intuition, this fight will not be easy and there is a long road of treatment and recovery ahead of her.
While the implications of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can be devastating, Kim is ready to fight and will do whatever is necessary to win another battle with this disease, like she has before. Doctors have assessed the most appropriate course of action to be a Whipple procedure; this surgery is incredibly complicated and lengthy, and will require months of recovery.
The tumor that doctors found is located in the head of Kim’s pancreas, which affects function of the pancreas and liver, further affecting the function of the digestive system. Doctors now understand this to be locus of her recent symptoms, and if left untreated could result in further, and potentially fatal, growth. It is important we move quickly and decisively in order to ensure that the tumor does not develop further.
The Cost
Due to the location of this tumor, and its relative isolation in the region, Kim is a prime candidate for the Whipple procedure and we are doing everything in our power to move forward with treatment. Doctors are still in the process of confirming the nature of the tumor, but we suspect it to be a neuroendocrine tumor (NET). This requires additional specialization and is why we want to provide Kim with the best medical attention possible. Additionally, this surgery is incredibly complicated and extensive. All of these reasons are why we feel it is crucial that Kim be provided the opportunity to be admitted to a Tier III clinical cancer research hospital with specializations directly related to her tumor and the Whipple procedure.
Between the out-of-network deductible ($10,000) and additional out-of-pocket/out-of-network expenses ($12,000), bills will rapidly accumulate. Outright the surgery costs total $30,000, depending on what percentage the insurance company will agree to pay (these details are dealt with throughout the process). This does not cover any prescription costs, radiation treatment, anesthesia costs, pathology tests, hospital stay fees, or holistic/naturopathic treatment (vitamin transfusions, dietician appointments, etc.) While we are incredibly gracious to raise any percentage of these costs, our goal is to cover around 80% of the surgery procedure bill. Raising this amount would be an incredible blessing, gift and boost of morale to Kim. Lifting the weight of financial burden from her at this time would ensure she is able to focus all her attention, strength and will towards physical recovery in both the long and short term.
Final Note
Giving Kim the best treatment possible is our top priority. She has taught her children and everyone she mentors the importance of this phrase, “Be your own advocate.” We are asking for your support in order to demonstrate that she isn’t the only advocate for herself. We want to show her how adored, loved and supported she is by so many individuals all over. By assisting her with the out-of-pocket expenses, we hope to give Kim and her family one less thing to worry about. We also want her to be able to pursue alternative, complimentary, and holistic options throughout her journey.
In many patients, pancreatic cancer is a fatal diagnosis. Rarely are individuals made aware of this affliction until it is too late, and the cancer has spread into additional organs in the region, rendering the disease to be potentially inoperable. We are blessed with Kim’s intuition and self-advocacy, and are grateful that her tumor was found relatively early in its development. While the cancer is treatable, and thus we are hopeful, there is no way around the financial costs of such procedures that will ensure Kim’s recovery will be as swift and manageable as possible (given the circumstances). We know Kim to be as widely loved as she is strong and determined, so we thank you for any contributions and assistance you can provide during this journey to recovery.
Kim’s fight against cancer began in September 2012 when she was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer. This struck incredibly close to home, as Kim had lost her twin sister, Karen, to a similar fight with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1994. If anyone knows Kim as a friend, you know that resilience and determination is innately part of her; for the sake of her children, husband, parents, siblings and love for life, she immediately began treatment. Ranging from a double mastectomy to chemotherapy, her fight was not won easily, but with the support of her loved ones she emerged with a fervor and appreciation of life stronger than ever. These years following her treatment were filled with a new mindset centered on the importance of healthy, active living, preventive resource development, and an unmatched sense of awareness and gratitude for the beauty of each present-day.
Though Kim’s perspective has not wavered in the years since her first diagnosis, it has not come without bumps in the road. Unfortunately, in September 2015, Kim’s breast cancer metastasized to her bones. In order to continue fighting, she underwent surgery and remained on oral chemotherapy.
Where We Are Now
In recent time, Kim has been battling what doctors thought to be Ulcerative Colitis and other digestive issues. She was experiencing jaundice, skin issues and acute abdominal pains. After months of numerous questions left unanswered, Kim began to presume there was a larger underlying issue. We all know Kim to be a fighter and an advocate for herself, as many cancer warriors must be, so she began requesting more specific research such as scans and an endoscopic biopsy. These tests led doctors to tissue samples that indicated the presence of a new tumor in her pancreas that is unrelated to her previous battles of cancer. While we are grateful for Kim’s willfulness and intuition, this fight will not be easy and there is a long road of treatment and recovery ahead of her.
While the implications of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can be devastating, Kim is ready to fight and will do whatever is necessary to win another battle with this disease, like she has before. Doctors have assessed the most appropriate course of action to be a Whipple procedure; this surgery is incredibly complicated and lengthy, and will require months of recovery.
The tumor that doctors found is located in the head of Kim’s pancreas, which affects function of the pancreas and liver, further affecting the function of the digestive system. Doctors now understand this to be locus of her recent symptoms, and if left untreated could result in further, and potentially fatal, growth. It is important we move quickly and decisively in order to ensure that the tumor does not develop further.
The Cost
Due to the location of this tumor, and its relative isolation in the region, Kim is a prime candidate for the Whipple procedure and we are doing everything in our power to move forward with treatment. Doctors are still in the process of confirming the nature of the tumor, but we suspect it to be a neuroendocrine tumor (NET). This requires additional specialization and is why we want to provide Kim with the best medical attention possible. Additionally, this surgery is incredibly complicated and extensive. All of these reasons are why we feel it is crucial that Kim be provided the opportunity to be admitted to a Tier III clinical cancer research hospital with specializations directly related to her tumor and the Whipple procedure.
Between the out-of-network deductible ($10,000) and additional out-of-pocket/out-of-network expenses ($12,000), bills will rapidly accumulate. Outright the surgery costs total $30,000, depending on what percentage the insurance company will agree to pay (these details are dealt with throughout the process). This does not cover any prescription costs, radiation treatment, anesthesia costs, pathology tests, hospital stay fees, or holistic/naturopathic treatment (vitamin transfusions, dietician appointments, etc.) While we are incredibly gracious to raise any percentage of these costs, our goal is to cover around 80% of the surgery procedure bill. Raising this amount would be an incredible blessing, gift and boost of morale to Kim. Lifting the weight of financial burden from her at this time would ensure she is able to focus all her attention, strength and will towards physical recovery in both the long and short term.
Final Note
Giving Kim the best treatment possible is our top priority. She has taught her children and everyone she mentors the importance of this phrase, “Be your own advocate.” We are asking for your support in order to demonstrate that she isn’t the only advocate for herself. We want to show her how adored, loved and supported she is by so many individuals all over. By assisting her with the out-of-pocket expenses, we hope to give Kim and her family one less thing to worry about. We also want her to be able to pursue alternative, complimentary, and holistic options throughout her journey.
In many patients, pancreatic cancer is a fatal diagnosis. Rarely are individuals made aware of this affliction until it is too late, and the cancer has spread into additional organs in the region, rendering the disease to be potentially inoperable. We are blessed with Kim’s intuition and self-advocacy, and are grateful that her tumor was found relatively early in its development. While the cancer is treatable, and thus we are hopeful, there is no way around the financial costs of such procedures that will ensure Kim’s recovery will be as swift and manageable as possible (given the circumstances). We know Kim to be as widely loved as she is strong and determined, so we thank you for any contributions and assistance you can provide during this journey to recovery.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kim Scoville
Beneficiary