Help Virginia Blacker Defeat Breast Cancer!

David Blacker is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Virginia Blacker.

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Hello friends, my name is David Blacker and I wanted to let you know that I am setting up this GoFundMe page for my wife, Virginia Blacker, who has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Unfortunately, we will not be able to cover all the prior and upcoming costs that are not covered through insurance.

It's Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) Breast Cancer which is at Stage 2, HER2 Positive (3+). This means she tested positive for a protein called Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2, which accelerates/promotes the growth of cancer cells. Surgery was therefore necessary and performed.

Virginia has been in a pretty positive mood so far, but the procedures left her with a lot of pain and fatigue. Medicine left her somewhat dizzy & lethargic needing assistance for a week. She was lucky to catch it early through her annual mammogram. Her surgeon and oncologist suggested a protocol of surgery, followed by chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody and radiation treatments.

Due to side effects of the chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody and radiation regimen she will not be able to perform the duties at her job where she taught music in an elementary school, and therefore will no longer compensated.

Since this HER2 Positive breast cancer is very aggressive, the doctors have set up a regimen of:

1) Surgery – a) one which has already been performed b) another is scheduled

2) Taxol Chemotherapy for 12 weeks - once per week

3) Herceptin Monoclonal Antibody – once per week for 12 weeks, then once every 3 weeks for 1 year

4) Radiation, starting 12 weeks in when Taxol ceases, once every 3 weeks for 1 year.

5) Out-of-pocket Taxol Chemotherapy and Herceptin Monoclonal Antibody session expenses – 1 per week for 12 weeks, with additional Monoclonal Antibody treatments to continue once every 3 weeks for 1 year

6) Out-of-pocket expenses for radiation treatments – once every 3 weeks for 1 year

7) Services for personal care - an assistant to drive her to and from the treatments when necessary. Treatments are about 30 minutes away from where we live.

8) Special clothing and hats since she will need to wear only button-down shirts and specialized bras. She is unable to use her right arm due to the pain associated with breast surgery and the removal of lymph nodes from her armpit. She needs assistance getting dressed and doing other daily activities. She will need special hats and head coverings that accommodate the effects of chemo on the scalp.

9) Will require special compounded mouthwash recommended by her dentist, as the chemo has negative effects on oral health.

10) Acupuncture treatments. This will reduce a range of chemo side effects. (see pictures attached)

11) Heart monitoring every 3 months, and blood work which will continue to be needed on a regular basis throughout the therapy regimen.

12) Out of pocket fees for procedures regarding issues that were separate from but consecutive with the cancer diagnosis, posed risks and needed to be done prior to surgery - Endoscopy, Abdominal CTScan, and an MRI of her liver.

13) In addition, an out-of-pocket expense Virginia is considering is the DigniCap, which receives no coverage from insurance. It is a temperature-controlled cap to be worn for approximately 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy, during the therapy, and for 30+ minutes afterwards. This is to stop the roots of the hair from absorbing the poisonous chemicals to help prevent hair from falling out. (The chemo will also cause eyelashes and nose hairs to fall out and nails to turn brown – not much we can do about that) The DigniCap fee is approximately $2,000, plus going forward an additional $300 per session during 12 weekly chemo treatments.

14) Genetic Testing

15) Periodic services to clean the house.

Thank you for your contributions, love, prayers, and well wishes. Will keep you posted as we travel this road ahead of us!