Hi! My name is Kristine and I'm starting this fundraiser for my cousin Nicole (Robertson) Blevins. She is originally from Mason City, IL. She graduated from Illini Central High School and earned a college degree in business administration. She has been employed by State Farm for 13 years as a Finance Assistant.  Nicole met her husband Brian in 2006 and they were married in 2011. They welcomed their only son, Grayson, in November of 2015. Grayson is in Kindergarten at Mackinaw Grade School.

 

In November of 2019, Nicole started to experience pain in her left breast and noticed a lump. In December of 2019, she was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Triple Negative Breast Cancer with lymph node involvement, a very aggressive and invasive type of breast cancer. She started chemotherapy treatments in January of 2020. Those treatments sent her to the ER many times for severe sickness, including mouth and throat sores and the need for fluids.

 

In May of 2020, she underwent a lumpectomy and had 24 lymph nodes removed.

 

In August of 2020, she started radiation . A total of 35 treatments to remove any tissue residual. This was a happy time for Nicole and her family. They were hoping and praying the worst was behind them as she finished all her treatments.

 

The end of December 2020, she went for a scan of her abdomen (unrelated to cancer ). The radiologist happened to catch multiple lung nodules consistent with metastasis. She was now stage 4.

 

January of 2021, Nicole and her team of Dr.'s decided to transfer her care to the Siteman Cancer Care Center in St. Louis Missouri. She began treatments immediately with chemo and radiation(SBRT) on her lungs. She also began immunotherapy (Keytruda). Later scans showed success on her lungs and nodules had decreased in size. A few had completely diminished.

 

In October of 2021, Nicole started to experience headaches and dizziness. She went to the ER and a mass was found on the lower lobular of her brain. She was hospitalized and given IV steroids for swelling. They immediately began brain radiation.

 

December 8th, 2021, a mammogram showed the cancer back in her left breast and lung nodules have increased in size. Nicole will start new chemo treatments on December 16th and have brain stereotactic radioactive surgery on December 29th.

 

Nicole and her family are not giving up hope! These past 2 years have been very hard for Nicole and everyone close to her. They have not asked for any help, just prayers for healing and a cure.

 

Nicole’s story has weighed heavy on my heart for a long time. She is my age and I’ve tried to put myself in her shoes, and I couldn’t imagine how hard this has been on her and her family.

 

I took it upon myself and asked them if I could start this fundraiser. It's the least I could do to help my cousin and her family during this very difficult time.

 

If you could find it in your heart to donate, any amount is helpful. The last thing Nicole should be worried about right now is how they are going to pay their monthly bills and give their son a Christmas he deserves, all while battling this aggressive cancer. The ongoing medical bills and travel expenses for treatment just keep piling up.

 

Thank you all for your support for this very deserving family. Merry Christmas and keep the prayers coming for Nicole!