Karen & Alexa`s Cancer Battle
Donation protected
Hi... My name is Karen Flores. I am a divorced mother of two amazing kids (well, every mom would say the same for their kids, right?) Alexa 15 and Nicholas 9.
We used to live in Miami, Florida, but due to a series of difficult events we packed up our car and moved to Connecticut with my mom and little sister with just our clothes!
As soon as we arrived, my sister helped me get medicaid for me and my kids, I arranged for medical visits and surprise! the first mamogram that they took showed a big tumor on my right breast and the lymph nodes under my right arm. I have Breast Cancer!
My battle started on August 2016, I underwent 7 months of Chemotherapy and in March 16, 2017 (my birthday, by the way ) they did a double mastectomy and removal of the lymph nodes under my right arm. Then I started Radiation on march 22 until June 29, 2017. My Oncologist told me that my cancer is very agressive, so for precausion on July 05, 2017 they performed an Hysterectomy on me.
Alexa had been complaining of a severe pain on her right hip. I took her to the Pediatrician and she ordered an X-Ray for her, which came out normal. Two weeks after my daughter was in agonizing pain I took her the doctor again, who send her for an Ultrasound and an MRI, as soon as those results came out...she told me to take her to the Childrens Emergency room at Yale New Haven Hospital. I felt like my world ended when the doctor said" I am sorry to be the one to tell you this...but your child has cancer"
The Patology Report showed a Tumor wrap around her right pelvis bone and it was in early metastasis in the lungs she will need Chemo Treatment for 2.5 months and then, Orthopedic surgery for hip replacement, and after that, more Chemo. Her cancer is called OSTEO-SARCOMA.
The bad news didn't stop there. Before the Chemo Treatment, they needed a Base Eco-Cardiogram and during the Eco, they found a blood clot inside the right atrium of the heart. Another MRI showed that this blood clot is runing from her right leg artery...all the way to her heart. Immediate decision: OPEN HEART SURGERY! A 7 hour surgery with 6 doctors. They opened her up from her collarbone...all the way to her groin. The saddest part is that they opened her up to remove a large blood clot...but instead they found a tumor! runing inside her arterial vein! (How this happened??? she never complained of anything! ever!...she has been the healtiest of us all! )
A week ago Chemo Treatment started. It hasnt been easy, sometimes she breaks down crying and ranting of why her? and then, she is apologizing to me for crying! My days are filled with doctors appointments for me and her, taking the boy to school (he is also suffering through all this...You know what he told me the other day: that he wished he had this disease, so we can be all together! My innocent boy. My sisters and my mom have been with me through all this. They always remind me that I have to take care of myself also (take my quemo pills, because I am not done yet with my cancer).
I have been out of work since my treatment started a year ago. Some Cancer Organizations helped pay for my rent and utility bills but they have a cap which reached 2 months ago. I owe rent, and utility bills. I need money for gas, toiletries, food and other medical expenses.
I always been private, but I'm desperate, I really need help! Please! My disability hasn't gone through. I am on the waiting list of section 8 and Low Income Housing here in Bridgeport, but I have been calling and they said that there is nothing they could do, that I have to wait until there is availability.
I would really appreciate as little you can contribute! Thanks for reading our story!
We used to live in Miami, Florida, but due to a series of difficult events we packed up our car and moved to Connecticut with my mom and little sister with just our clothes!
As soon as we arrived, my sister helped me get medicaid for me and my kids, I arranged for medical visits and surprise! the first mamogram that they took showed a big tumor on my right breast and the lymph nodes under my right arm. I have Breast Cancer!
My battle started on August 2016, I underwent 7 months of Chemotherapy and in March 16, 2017 (my birthday, by the way ) they did a double mastectomy and removal of the lymph nodes under my right arm. Then I started Radiation on march 22 until June 29, 2017. My Oncologist told me that my cancer is very agressive, so for precausion on July 05, 2017 they performed an Hysterectomy on me.
Alexa had been complaining of a severe pain on her right hip. I took her to the Pediatrician and she ordered an X-Ray for her, which came out normal. Two weeks after my daughter was in agonizing pain I took her the doctor again, who send her for an Ultrasound and an MRI, as soon as those results came out...she told me to take her to the Childrens Emergency room at Yale New Haven Hospital. I felt like my world ended when the doctor said" I am sorry to be the one to tell you this...but your child has cancer"
The Patology Report showed a Tumor wrap around her right pelvis bone and it was in early metastasis in the lungs she will need Chemo Treatment for 2.5 months and then, Orthopedic surgery for hip replacement, and after that, more Chemo. Her cancer is called OSTEO-SARCOMA.
The bad news didn't stop there. Before the Chemo Treatment, they needed a Base Eco-Cardiogram and during the Eco, they found a blood clot inside the right atrium of the heart. Another MRI showed that this blood clot is runing from her right leg artery...all the way to her heart. Immediate decision: OPEN HEART SURGERY! A 7 hour surgery with 6 doctors. They opened her up from her collarbone...all the way to her groin. The saddest part is that they opened her up to remove a large blood clot...but instead they found a tumor! runing inside her arterial vein! (How this happened??? she never complained of anything! ever!...she has been the healtiest of us all! )
A week ago Chemo Treatment started. It hasnt been easy, sometimes she breaks down crying and ranting of why her? and then, she is apologizing to me for crying! My days are filled with doctors appointments for me and her, taking the boy to school (he is also suffering through all this...You know what he told me the other day: that he wished he had this disease, so we can be all together! My innocent boy. My sisters and my mom have been with me through all this. They always remind me that I have to take care of myself also (take my quemo pills, because I am not done yet with my cancer).
I have been out of work since my treatment started a year ago. Some Cancer Organizations helped pay for my rent and utility bills but they have a cap which reached 2 months ago. I owe rent, and utility bills. I need money for gas, toiletries, food and other medical expenses.
I always been private, but I'm desperate, I really need help! Please! My disability hasn't gone through. I am on the waiting list of section 8 and Low Income Housing here in Bridgeport, but I have been calling and they said that there is nothing they could do, that I have to wait until there is availability.
I would really appreciate as little you can contribute! Thanks for reading our story!
Organizer
Karen Flores
Organizer
Bridgeport, CT
