Help Anne Fight Against Cancer
Donation protected
After a routine outpatient surgery in July 2015, Anne woke after surgery to discover the doctors had performed major surgery for Stage 3 ovarian cancer. All work plans were scrapped and she began a long journey of intensive chemotherapy for six months. It was very traumatic- compounded with damaging side effects and complete hair loss.
After a short stint back at work tests revealed that she now had breast cancer and had to undergo a lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation. She managed to work through the radiation and seemed well until November 2016 when she had to undergo 2 small surgeries for recurrence of ovarian cancer and 6 more months of chemo- all while working 6 days a week- 10-12 hours a day.
Ultimately it began to be too difficult to work. Healing takes time and the hectic schedule of appointments (though she STILL went to work despite lowered energy and not feeling the best) resulted in her losing her job.
This August the ovarian cancer returned; unfortunately in seven small areas that are too far apart to operate on. The doctors have told her that there is no definite way forward; only different approaches to see what works if at all.
After much research into alternative means of combatting the cancer and second and third opinions from many doctors and clinics she realized that the best care with the most hope for success will be in Minneapolis where she is from. She will have the support there from friends and family as well as access to great research at the University of Minnesota where they will be doing a clinical trial in what appears to be the most promising treatment: NK cell therapy. She has to first undergo another round of chemo that will cause hair loss. This time she is going to use cold caps (not covered by insurance) but tested with a 99% success rate of preserving and keeping her hair.
There have been many out of pocket expenses for complementary medicine like acupuncture and naturopathic herbal support and there will continue to be additional costs. The total for the cold caps will be $3750.
She will have to apply for permanent disability now as the cancer is termed to be chronic. The loss of income from regular work has already proved to be a real burden. Disability income only covers very basic expenses.
The cost of moving to Minneapolis where she will have support of friends and family will cost around $3000. She hopes to be well enough to locate and move to her own apartment at some point.
Anne’s journey right now is to search out the best potential treatments and stay alive and well until, ultimately a cure is found. According to the American Cancer Society 39% of patients with this type of cancer have survival rates of 5 years. There are always new treatments becoming available. As an example, in the past HIV status was considered a death sentence but so many strides have been made in the field that it is no longer true.
The doctors will be monitoring the progress of the drugs with the hopes that the new metastasis will shrink. However, if there are no good results it will be necessary to keep trying to find other treatments, which also will be costly. Anne is a powerhouse- a fighter and a loyal friend to all. Please consider helping out with a financial contribution, kind words, and positive thoughts. Thank you.
After a short stint back at work tests revealed that she now had breast cancer and had to undergo a lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation. She managed to work through the radiation and seemed well until November 2016 when she had to undergo 2 small surgeries for recurrence of ovarian cancer and 6 more months of chemo- all while working 6 days a week- 10-12 hours a day.
Ultimately it began to be too difficult to work. Healing takes time and the hectic schedule of appointments (though she STILL went to work despite lowered energy and not feeling the best) resulted in her losing her job.
This August the ovarian cancer returned; unfortunately in seven small areas that are too far apart to operate on. The doctors have told her that there is no definite way forward; only different approaches to see what works if at all.
After much research into alternative means of combatting the cancer and second and third opinions from many doctors and clinics she realized that the best care with the most hope for success will be in Minneapolis where she is from. She will have the support there from friends and family as well as access to great research at the University of Minnesota where they will be doing a clinical trial in what appears to be the most promising treatment: NK cell therapy. She has to first undergo another round of chemo that will cause hair loss. This time she is going to use cold caps (not covered by insurance) but tested with a 99% success rate of preserving and keeping her hair.
There have been many out of pocket expenses for complementary medicine like acupuncture and naturopathic herbal support and there will continue to be additional costs. The total for the cold caps will be $3750.
She will have to apply for permanent disability now as the cancer is termed to be chronic. The loss of income from regular work has already proved to be a real burden. Disability income only covers very basic expenses.
The cost of moving to Minneapolis where she will have support of friends and family will cost around $3000. She hopes to be well enough to locate and move to her own apartment at some point.
Anne’s journey right now is to search out the best potential treatments and stay alive and well until, ultimately a cure is found. According to the American Cancer Society 39% of patients with this type of cancer have survival rates of 5 years. There are always new treatments becoming available. As an example, in the past HIV status was considered a death sentence but so many strides have been made in the field that it is no longer true.
The doctors will be monitoring the progress of the drugs with the hopes that the new metastasis will shrink. However, if there are no good results it will be necessary to keep trying to find other treatments, which also will be costly. Anne is a powerhouse- a fighter and a loyal friend to all. Please consider helping out with a financial contribution, kind words, and positive thoughts. Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kelly Rae Hemenway
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Anne Hyvarinen
Beneficiary
