Holly Hollis Stars Fundraiser

Holly’s Story
Holly Hollis Stars a loving wife, caring daughter, and friend to many. As most of you know, Holly was diagnosed with Stage IV Triple Negative Breast Cancer in May of 2018 just 6 months before her wedding.  She completed  8 months of IV chemo, radiation, surgeries, and 6 months of oral chemo (and managed to smile and encourage others along the way). After her treatments, she had no evidence of disease for almost a year. This past week has been devastating as Holly received news that her cancer has returned to her liver and lungs.  It is a reminder that we are certainly not in control and our plans are provisional at best.  It has been a hectic, life-altering, and emotional week as Holly and Mark prepare for her upcoming treatments.

The Return
From Holly’s Blog: www.TheStarsAlign.blog  
“On Wednesday August 19, 2020 I went in for my 3 month chest CT scan. One of my doctors called after the scan and explained that there were spots on my liver that weren’t there 3 months prior.  He ordered an immediate MRI of my abdomen and said he was worried. I cried through the entire liver MRI (the poor people in that room didn’t know what to do with me). Mark was with me. He looked like he was in a daze. I felt so bad for putting him through this, again. At that point I was praying there was SOME other explanation for the spots on my liver and that they weren’t cancer. When the doctor called again later that day, I could hear the hesitation in his voice when I said hello. There was a 3 second pause, and in those few seconds of of silence, I knew. Before I could say anything else he said “Holly, it’s not good”. It sounds dramatic, but I dropped to the floor in that moment. It felt like someone had knocked the wind out of me. The cancer was back, in my liver in 8 places. He was surprised. We were all surprised.”

“The next step would be a liver biopsy to confirm what the doctors strongly suspected. I knew what his words meant, I didn’t have to ask. As of now, there is no cure for what I have. For the last 10 months I’ve been off of chemo and living……REALLY living guys. Of course there was always this fear in the back of my mind. But in a weird way, now that it has happened, I feel a strange calm about it. I don’t have to worry and wonder if it’s coming back. I don’t have to ask “why me?” There isn’t an answer for that. Like I’ve said in the past, the only relevant question at THIS point is “okay, what now?” 

The Plan
Holly was officially accepted into a Triple Negative Breast Cancer clinical trial with The University of Kansas.  The oncologist and facility where she will be receiving treatment is located in Westwood, Kansas (part of the Kansas City, Missouri metro area). Her first day of chemo will be on September 17th.  For this clinical trial,  each chemo cycle is 21 days long. The plan is to for her to receive 4-6 “cycles” of part 1 of the clinical trial regimen and will hopefully transition to the “maintenance” part of the trial thereafter. Holly will be required to stay in Kansas for the first month of treatment before she is allowed to come home to Louisiana between cycles.  Holly will continue receiving treatments in Kansas as long as the trial is working and keeping the cancer under control. 

How You Can Help
So many people have reached out and asked how they can help.  Because Holly will be receiving all of her treatments out of state, it will be difficult for her friends and family to physically “do” things to help while being hundreds of miles away.  We are organizing this fundraiser to alleviate the financial stress that comes along with receiving so many treatments out of state. 

If you know Holly and her story, it is one of bravery and perseverance.  Please join us in helping her fight this terrible disease.  By doing so, you will let her know that she is not alone.  Holly and Mark ask for your prayers during this trying time. Specifically, for daily strength and courage to once again put this disease into remission. 

Thank you for the love and support - they appreciate it more than you'll ever know.

Follow Holly’s updates:
Her personal blog: www.thestarsalign.blog
On Instagram: @HollyHollisStars