Help Lauren Stay Strong
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One of our own needs your help. Lauren is a tremendous inspiration to many here at WVRJ with her steadfast commitment to her career, her son, and those she works with everyday, all the while battling cancer, a disease that touches everyone. She is one that never asks for help but we all need that support no matter how strong we feel we are during challenging times such as these. Her story below I'm sure will touch many.
After beating cancer once before, it has come back very aggressively this time. In 2018, I was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma; a “good” cancer if I had to choose a term. I had my first surgery in December 2018 to remove my thyroid and surrounding lymph nodes. We learned that it was growing into the lining of my esophagus and further paralyzed my vocal chord. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to sing, talk, etc. so this was a huge blow for me. At that point I was diagnosed with Stage 4 papillary carcinoma. I went through two rounds of radioactive iodine hoping to shrink the tumors, but had no luck. A few months later, in May 2019, we discovered that the cancer had metastasized to my lungs and lymph nodes surrounding my trachea. My team of doctors in Roanoke thought I would be better suited in the care of the Duke Cancer Center. After multiple PET/CT scans, it was discovered the tumors in my lungs were growing and that I was then labeled “incurable.” I never understood what the weight of that word carried, but as a young mother excelling in her career my heart broke. I had just been promoted to field training officer and quickly realized I would have to put a pause to my law enforcement career. Fast forward to November 2020; my oncology team is giving me less than 5 years to live with medication to keep the tumors stable. Between travelling back and forth from Durham to Roanoke every month, multiple scans, lab work, immunotherapy, and 3 surgeries the medical bills are piling up despite still working full time. With the support of my family, friends, and work family, I know I can beat this.
After beating cancer once before, it has come back very aggressively this time. In 2018, I was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma; a “good” cancer if I had to choose a term. I had my first surgery in December 2018 to remove my thyroid and surrounding lymph nodes. We learned that it was growing into the lining of my esophagus and further paralyzed my vocal chord. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to sing, talk, etc. so this was a huge blow for me. At that point I was diagnosed with Stage 4 papillary carcinoma. I went through two rounds of radioactive iodine hoping to shrink the tumors, but had no luck. A few months later, in May 2019, we discovered that the cancer had metastasized to my lungs and lymph nodes surrounding my trachea. My team of doctors in Roanoke thought I would be better suited in the care of the Duke Cancer Center. After multiple PET/CT scans, it was discovered the tumors in my lungs were growing and that I was then labeled “incurable.” I never understood what the weight of that word carried, but as a young mother excelling in her career my heart broke. I had just been promoted to field training officer and quickly realized I would have to put a pause to my law enforcement career. Fast forward to November 2020; my oncology team is giving me less than 5 years to live with medication to keep the tumors stable. Between travelling back and forth from Durham to Roanoke every month, multiple scans, lab work, immunotherapy, and 3 surgeries the medical bills are piling up despite still working full time. With the support of my family, friends, and work family, I know I can beat this.
Organizer
Bobby Russell
Organizer
Roanoke, VA
