My name is Paula and I am Niki Jerome’s business partner, friend, across-the-street neighbor, and dueling auntie to our beautiful grandnieces. Anyone that has ever met Niki knows the magic that she is. Her kindness, light, and love can be seen in her infectious smile and are immediately felt. She just can’t help but be a good force; it’s innate. She has given so much to so many people and without an ounce of judgment. I know because I have been on the receiving end of her unconditional love and support during tragic times.
I am here to ask for donations to help support Niki through her long fight with breast cancer.
On February 9th, Niki went in for a biopsy of her breast and lymph node to determine the cause of a suspicious area. What had just 2 years prior been deemed by pathology to be normal was now showing cancer cells in both the breast and lymph node.
Of course, shock is inevitable, but we’ve got this, right? She’s young and strong and determined! Prior to chemo, they did a CT and MRI to be certain of any possible spread just to cover their bases. Tests showed a spot on her liver, which is very common, but they wanted another MRI and a PET scan to be sure of what they were going to be dealing with. Those tests showed multiple masses on her liver, so now a biopsy was ordered to confirm one way or another what this was before starting chemo. Then comes the gut punch; the cancer had spread to her liver, making this Stage 4. Although it is labeled “incurable,” it is highly treatable with targeted therapies. None of this is to say it won’t be hard. Niki has a big hill to climb. Instead of just the initial 4 1/2 months of chemo, her cancer will be managed as a chronic, treatable condition while maintaining her quality of life.
The funds raised here will help support Niki in her everyday expenses such as rent, utilities, groceries, things that insurance won’t cover, etc., during at least the first 5 months of her initial treatment. As hairdressers, we unfortunately do not get paid when we can’t work. How much she is able to work is yet to be determined, but the last thing we want Niki worrying about is work or money. We all want her focused on her health first and foremost. Her first round of chemo proved to be a bit harder than expected, especially as this is supposed to be the easiest. Her chemo will be every 3 weeks for 6 sessions. So that equals a lot of downtime and a lot of time off work. And that’s just the beginning.
The response her family and I are getting at work and from friends is extraordinary. People want to help. As much as Niki hates the idea of fundraising for herself, it’s the simplest, easiest, and best thing we can do right now to support her. That and sharing the link. Niki has touched so many lives in both her personal life and professionally. Let’s give her what she has always given us, all the love.
Thank you,
Paula Ivins
