Help Tasha win her fight against breast cancer.
Hey all! For those of you who may not know me, I’m Megan, Travis’s older sister. I’m here to share Tasha’s story, and to help gain support for this amazing family!
On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, Travis and Tasha revealed some devastating news to our family. Tasha had been diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes. Our hearts sank! How could this be?! She is only 31 with no prior family history! This is just not possible! With so many unanswered questions and fear of the unknown, this was, in fact, reality. Something no one was prepared to face.
The story:
On July 10, 2021, Tasha woke up to feel pain and a lump on the right side of her breast. It was the weekend so she called her doctor first thing Monday morning. After an ultrasound and mammogram it was confirmed that there was indeed a lump, with a second spot in her armpit. The doctor believed the lumps may be fibroadenomas, given her young age and possible lasting inflammatory response to the Covid vaccine. Additional testing was suggested. A few days later Tasha underwent a biopsy. On July 28, 2021, it was confirmed that she had invasive ductal carcinoma, Nottingham grade III of III, and lymphoid tissue with metastatic carcinoma. On August 3, 2021, Tasha had a CT and bone scan to determine if the cancer had spread to other parts of her body. Thankfully the results came back negative! She had a port placed on August 4th and was ready to start chemo the following week. By this time, the tumor had already grown from 2.5cm to 4cm.
Unfortunately, Tasha’s insurance company is yet to approve her treatment therapy, so chemo has been pushed back. Thankfully, the care team has an alternative plan in place if the insurance company ultimately denies the initial course of action. She is scheduled to start her first treatment on Friday, August 20th. A mastectomy (double) will follow in the near future. Also, after genetic testing revealed a positive BRCA 1 gene, Tasha will most likely undergo a hysterectomy at some point to prevent the development of ovarian cancer.
This family has undergone some recent hardships over the course of the year. Tasha became ill this past Christmas and underwent emergency gallbladder surgery on Christmas Eve. Their youngest son Tyson had to have ear tubes put in for a second time. Travis sustained an injury to his hand requiring surgery with a three month, no work, recovery period. And now, with Tasha being a Registered Nurse, it is unclear how much she will be able to work once she starts treatment.
The future is in God’s hands and we are taking it one day at a time. We ask for your thoughtfulness and consideration in donating to help this family out! Any contribution is greatly appreciated! If you are unable to donate at this time, please use this story as an awareness and teaching tool regarding the importance of self breast exams and early detection! Remember, breast cancer can effect both men and women!
God bless and Godspeed!
#TeamTasha