Help Nurse Lizzie Battle Breast Cancer
Donation protected
As I was on my way to meet my mom and sister at the park, I received a text message. It was from my nursing school bestie. It was a long text message. I started to read it and realized the tone got more and more serious. "I just found out Friday that I have breast cancer, and I just found out today that it's invasive ductal carcinoma." Initially, I was in shock. I had so many thoughts, and I didn't know how to react.
As time went by, Lizzie had graciously walked me and one of our other nursing school mates through the journey...patiently explaining to us the next steps for her, breaking down complicated treatment regimens for us to easily understand, and confiding in us the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Lizzie is Bellarmine University alumni who has dedicated her life to helping critically ill patients as a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The news has impacted her family and friends. Now, we are part of the journey to Help Nurse Lizzie Battle Breast Cancer.
This is Lizzie's story:
“Being so young, still at the beginning of my career as a registered nurse, focusing on ways to better myself for my patients, the last thing on my mind was thinking I had cancer, but that quickly changed.
On March 29th, 2019 I received the news that no 25-year-old wanted to hear, "You have invasive breast cancer.” I was completely shocked and devastated by the news. With this shocking news, I knew it was time for a change to not only focus on my patient’s life but focusing on ways to make mine healthier.
During my monthly self-breast exam I had felt something that did not seem normal to me. While I was in for my yearly check up with my OBGYN, I mentioned my finding to her. She seemed to think that it was just benign fibroadenoma that most women my age have, but she went ahead and ordered an ultrasound to be safe. During the ultrasound, they found three solid masses and recommended a mammogram to be performed. I completed the mammogram, but the scans were not clear as I was noted to have dense breast tissue, as most younger women have. At this point, they recommended a core needle biopsy to figure out what was going on inside my breast.
Throughout my testing I was constantly reassured by multiple doctors and nurses, "You are so young, this is probably just benign, you will be just fine.” But, I have come to learn breast cancer is quite common and that one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their life.
On March 29th, 2019 my life changed when I received the phone call from my doctor hearing that my breast biopsy results came back positive for invasive ductal/mammary carcinoma (IDC). I soon learned that my cancer was ER/PR + (estrogen/progesterone positive), which was some good news, as I was told by my doctor anyways. She informed me that breast cancers that are typically found in my age are aggressive and fast growing, but the type I have been diagnosed with was the type that is seen more with older women and is slower growing and that it was estrogen/progesterone responsive, meaning that after surgical/medical treatment, I will respond well to an estrogen-blocking medication.
The doctors took weeks running all kinds of test and going over my family history trying to figure out why a 25-year-old has breast cancer that is typically seen later in a person's life. I had no immediate family history of breast cancer. Thankfully, one of the tests gave them the answers they were looking for. I was found to have a genetic mutation known as CHEK 2, which put me at high risk for breast cancer as well as other cancers.
I have met with multiple wonderful doctors including a surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, plastic surgeon, and fertility specialist to develop my treatment plan. My surgical plan includes a double mastectomy that is scheduled in the next few weeks. I will have to undergo a double mastectomy because of the genetic mutation I have, which has a high percentage of my breast cancer coming back in my other breast. After that, I begin the process of undergoing egg retrieval with a fertility specialist due to chemotherapy and the estrogen-blocking medication increasing my risk of infertility. Once I have completed the egg retrieval process, my medical treatment begins. This includes chemotherapy, and, then, finally, they will start me on the estrogen-blocking medication that I will take for five to 10 years.”
This is just the beginning of Lizzie's diagnosis and the road ahead of her includes multiple surgeries, egg retrieval, chemotherapy, and let's not forget about the multiple follow up appointments and any unexpected complications that may arise that will need attention by the doctors.
With all of Lizzie's family residing in Ohio, #TeamLizzie (which includes nursing school besties Hyesil and Nathalie and her family, boyfriend, and friends) is asking for your support during Lizzie's fight to beat breast cancer. That support can include positive thoughts/prayers for Lizzie during her journey, and if you are in the position to give any donations, we ask that you do. There is no such thing as a small donation; Every little bit will help Lizzie through her journey and will be greatly appreciated!
Just know that any funding from your contributions will go directly towards any medical expenses directly related to Lizzie's care. #TeamLizzie thanks you in advance for your kind consideration/generosity. We are so grateful for any help that she is able to get! We will keep everyone informed on Lizzie's fight to beat breast cancer. Please be on the lookout for her facebook/Instagram page "Lizzie Battles Breast Cancer" to follow along with her battle and for you to add any positive thoughts/support for her.
Also, follow along for educational information regarding breast cancer awareness. As a nurse, Lizzie is also focused on your breast health education, as mentioned above one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. In her spare time, she plans to include educational information for your breast health and a way for you to reach out to her regarding your breast health with any questions.
As time went by, Lizzie had graciously walked me and one of our other nursing school mates through the journey...patiently explaining to us the next steps for her, breaking down complicated treatment regimens for us to easily understand, and confiding in us the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Lizzie is Bellarmine University alumni who has dedicated her life to helping critically ill patients as a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The news has impacted her family and friends. Now, we are part of the journey to Help Nurse Lizzie Battle Breast Cancer.
This is Lizzie's story:
“Being so young, still at the beginning of my career as a registered nurse, focusing on ways to better myself for my patients, the last thing on my mind was thinking I had cancer, but that quickly changed.
On March 29th, 2019 I received the news that no 25-year-old wanted to hear, "You have invasive breast cancer.” I was completely shocked and devastated by the news. With this shocking news, I knew it was time for a change to not only focus on my patient’s life but focusing on ways to make mine healthier.
During my monthly self-breast exam I had felt something that did not seem normal to me. While I was in for my yearly check up with my OBGYN, I mentioned my finding to her. She seemed to think that it was just benign fibroadenoma that most women my age have, but she went ahead and ordered an ultrasound to be safe. During the ultrasound, they found three solid masses and recommended a mammogram to be performed. I completed the mammogram, but the scans were not clear as I was noted to have dense breast tissue, as most younger women have. At this point, they recommended a core needle biopsy to figure out what was going on inside my breast.
Throughout my testing I was constantly reassured by multiple doctors and nurses, "You are so young, this is probably just benign, you will be just fine.” But, I have come to learn breast cancer is quite common and that one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their life.
On March 29th, 2019 my life changed when I received the phone call from my doctor hearing that my breast biopsy results came back positive for invasive ductal/mammary carcinoma (IDC). I soon learned that my cancer was ER/PR + (estrogen/progesterone positive), which was some good news, as I was told by my doctor anyways. She informed me that breast cancers that are typically found in my age are aggressive and fast growing, but the type I have been diagnosed with was the type that is seen more with older women and is slower growing and that it was estrogen/progesterone responsive, meaning that after surgical/medical treatment, I will respond well to an estrogen-blocking medication.
The doctors took weeks running all kinds of test and going over my family history trying to figure out why a 25-year-old has breast cancer that is typically seen later in a person's life. I had no immediate family history of breast cancer. Thankfully, one of the tests gave them the answers they were looking for. I was found to have a genetic mutation known as CHEK 2, which put me at high risk for breast cancer as well as other cancers.
I have met with multiple wonderful doctors including a surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, plastic surgeon, and fertility specialist to develop my treatment plan. My surgical plan includes a double mastectomy that is scheduled in the next few weeks. I will have to undergo a double mastectomy because of the genetic mutation I have, which has a high percentage of my breast cancer coming back in my other breast. After that, I begin the process of undergoing egg retrieval with a fertility specialist due to chemotherapy and the estrogen-blocking medication increasing my risk of infertility. Once I have completed the egg retrieval process, my medical treatment begins. This includes chemotherapy, and, then, finally, they will start me on the estrogen-blocking medication that I will take for five to 10 years.”
This is just the beginning of Lizzie's diagnosis and the road ahead of her includes multiple surgeries, egg retrieval, chemotherapy, and let's not forget about the multiple follow up appointments and any unexpected complications that may arise that will need attention by the doctors.
With all of Lizzie's family residing in Ohio, #TeamLizzie (which includes nursing school besties Hyesil and Nathalie and her family, boyfriend, and friends) is asking for your support during Lizzie's fight to beat breast cancer. That support can include positive thoughts/prayers for Lizzie during her journey, and if you are in the position to give any donations, we ask that you do. There is no such thing as a small donation; Every little bit will help Lizzie through her journey and will be greatly appreciated!
Just know that any funding from your contributions will go directly towards any medical expenses directly related to Lizzie's care. #TeamLizzie thanks you in advance for your kind consideration/generosity. We are so grateful for any help that she is able to get! We will keep everyone informed on Lizzie's fight to beat breast cancer. Please be on the lookout for her facebook/Instagram page "Lizzie Battles Breast Cancer" to follow along with her battle and for you to add any positive thoughts/support for her.
Also, follow along for educational information regarding breast cancer awareness. As a nurse, Lizzie is also focused on your breast health education, as mentioned above one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. In her spare time, she plans to include educational information for your breast health and a way for you to reach out to her regarding your breast health with any questions.
Co-organizers (3)
Hyesil Adams
Organizer
Louisville, KY
Elizabeth Marie
Beneficiary
Nathalie Del Castillo
Co-organizer