Help Suzana Beat Cancer!
Donation protected
Hello friends and family,
I am writing this on behalf of my mother Suzana who, at age 59, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that has metastasized to her liver. Soon after diagnosis she underwent multiple biopsies due to inconclusive results, had a port placed, and began chemotherapy. After Suzana's first round of chemotherapy, her colon became completely obstructed and she underwent emergency surgery which successfully removed the tumor from her colon.
Since the biopsies were inconclusive in identifying the exact type of cancer, we had to wait patiently before we could mount our plan of attack. Nearly 3 weeks later we received the pathology report, which stated Suzana may have a very rare cancer (neuroendocrine); however, the pathologist expressed some doubts in the certainty of the diagnosis. Suzana is insured with Kaiser and her care has been there from the beginning. They have asked for further tests and scans to attempt to help better understand the nature of the cancer. In the mean time Suzana will resume first line chemotherapy.
We would like to have a second opinion outside of Kaiser; however any second opinion or treatment outside of Kaiser is not covered by her insurance. We will need to pay out-of-pocket to have another opinion, which will hopefully help us arrive at a concrete diagnosis and plan of action. We would also like a second opinion from an oncologist at UCSF who specializes in neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal track. This will include a second pathologist's read on her tumor. Since these tumors are so rare they can often be misdiagnosed and mistreated and require a specialist's attention. Lastly, we have already met with a leading hepatic surgeon that specializes in liver metastasis, Dr. Fong at City of Hope, outside of Los Angeles. Dr. Fong is working with Suzana on an optimal surgical plan for her liver metastasis. Dr Fong has given us confidence that he can successfully remove all cancer from her liver, and thus from her body, but as many of you know, a stage 4 diagnosis is something that will require attention for the rest of her life.
You can imagine that these costs are already adding up. Suzana has not been able to work since her diagnosis.
My goal here is to rally up all the people that love my mom, Suzana. If you have met her you know what an incredibly kind, generous, and goofy Brazilian woman she is. She loves life and through these difficult times she continues to radiate positivity and face every day with a smile. Together we can help ease the burden of costs that come with getting her the treatment she needs.
All donations go directly to Suzana for her ongoing medical care and treatment.
Thank you for taking time to read our story. I will continue to update with Suzana's progress.
I am writing this on behalf of my mother Suzana who, at age 59, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that has metastasized to her liver. Soon after diagnosis she underwent multiple biopsies due to inconclusive results, had a port placed, and began chemotherapy. After Suzana's first round of chemotherapy, her colon became completely obstructed and she underwent emergency surgery which successfully removed the tumor from her colon.
Since the biopsies were inconclusive in identifying the exact type of cancer, we had to wait patiently before we could mount our plan of attack. Nearly 3 weeks later we received the pathology report, which stated Suzana may have a very rare cancer (neuroendocrine); however, the pathologist expressed some doubts in the certainty of the diagnosis. Suzana is insured with Kaiser and her care has been there from the beginning. They have asked for further tests and scans to attempt to help better understand the nature of the cancer. In the mean time Suzana will resume first line chemotherapy.
We would like to have a second opinion outside of Kaiser; however any second opinion or treatment outside of Kaiser is not covered by her insurance. We will need to pay out-of-pocket to have another opinion, which will hopefully help us arrive at a concrete diagnosis and plan of action. We would also like a second opinion from an oncologist at UCSF who specializes in neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal track. This will include a second pathologist's read on her tumor. Since these tumors are so rare they can often be misdiagnosed and mistreated and require a specialist's attention. Lastly, we have already met with a leading hepatic surgeon that specializes in liver metastasis, Dr. Fong at City of Hope, outside of Los Angeles. Dr. Fong is working with Suzana on an optimal surgical plan for her liver metastasis. Dr Fong has given us confidence that he can successfully remove all cancer from her liver, and thus from her body, but as many of you know, a stage 4 diagnosis is something that will require attention for the rest of her life.
You can imagine that these costs are already adding up. Suzana has not been able to work since her diagnosis.
My goal here is to rally up all the people that love my mom, Suzana. If you have met her you know what an incredibly kind, generous, and goofy Brazilian woman she is. She loves life and through these difficult times she continues to radiate positivity and face every day with a smile. Together we can help ease the burden of costs that come with getting her the treatment she needs.
All donations go directly to Suzana for her ongoing medical care and treatment.
Thank you for taking time to read our story. I will continue to update with Suzana's progress.
Organizer
Mayra Swaintek
Organizer
Mill Valley, CA