Kaysie's Double Mastectomy at 27
Donation protected
Less than three months ago Kaysie received a call about her son Lincolns genetic test results. (Some of you are familiar with this two year journey. If not you can read the whole story here at lovinglincolnjames.wordpress. com.)
In short, he is 2 years old and has had 6 brain surgeries as well as having many conditions that will follow him through his life.
They were just beginning to breathe again. Life was just starting to slow down and look "normal."
Then the results of Lincolns tests came in.....
Their world has been torn upside down, again. Yet another mountain has appeared...
Kaysie carries the mutated BRCA2 gene.
BRCA2?
BRCA2 is a gene that produces tumor suppressor proteins. These proteins help repair damaged DNA and therefore play a role in ensuring the stability of the cell's genetic material. BRCA2 mutation increases the risk of female breast and ovarian cancers to 80%, and they have been associated with increased risks of several additional types of cancer. Everyone has the BRCA2 gene, Kaysie's just doesn't work.
The last two months she has met with innumerable doctors. Oncologists, breast and ovarian, nutritionists, geneticists, dermatologists, plastics, etc.
After meeting with the doctors, having multiple biopsies and scans, on her knees relentlessly crying to God, my son and Kaysie have decided to go through with the recommended Preventative Double Mastectomy.
Scheduled for OCTOBER 16th. This surgery will remove ALL breast tissue and place expanders under the pectoral muscle. A recovery time of 4-6 weeks with multiple trips to Seattle (200 mile round trip) She will be unable to use her arms for this period and will have surgical drains placed for up to 3 weeks with many follow up appointments to watch for infections and drain removal. After initial healing and the drains are removed she will begin the process of going to Seattle weekly to bi weekly to get her expanders filled.. This needs to be done slowly to help her tight, thinner skin to accommodate.
After this long period of recovery she will be faced with yet another surgery to remove the expanders, and start the reconstruction journey. This is the best case scenario. Needless to say, Kaysie and Adam have a high deductible plan and will be paying 40% of everything.
Kaysie has been faced with one of the hardest decisions of her young life. All that she has been through with her little Lincoln she has been so steadfast, loving, and strong. It has amazed me, the strength and passion she has shown while fighting for her child in so many ways.
I wish I could take her place.
I wish this was not a decision she needed to make.
Her other choice would be a life full of scans and painful biopsies, worrying about the results, the dread of waiting for "that call", or worse yet, taking a ineffective chemo pill with all its unmentionable side effects. What does a young mother of three do??
All I can do is be there with them. Caring for their three small children and household. I see my son's heart and anxiety for his wife, as well as the added financial fears, and it breaks me not being able to do more.
This is why I'm reaching out with this GoFund me. I've had the privilege to see these fundraisers bless and enrich the lives of those in need. Not only financially, but in the love and care shown by all of those who reach out with words of encouragement and concern. It truly does do the heart good to be encircled by others love and prayers. Thank you from the depths of my heart for all who do so.
This has been my mantra: God's promise and comfort;
God is Love.
His love endures forever.
Never will I forsake you or leave you.
All things work together for good for those who love God.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
As they begin yet another journey that is sure to have many hard moments and pain, I am assured by His love and His promise that He is with us always.
Blessings and many heartfelt thanks to you all!
You can follow her through this journey at
Felicias Photo Story and Kaysies personal blog.
In short, he is 2 years old and has had 6 brain surgeries as well as having many conditions that will follow him through his life.
They were just beginning to breathe again. Life was just starting to slow down and look "normal."
Then the results of Lincolns tests came in.....
Their world has been torn upside down, again. Yet another mountain has appeared...
Kaysie carries the mutated BRCA2 gene.
BRCA2?
BRCA2 is a gene that produces tumor suppressor proteins. These proteins help repair damaged DNA and therefore play a role in ensuring the stability of the cell's genetic material. BRCA2 mutation increases the risk of female breast and ovarian cancers to 80%, and they have been associated with increased risks of several additional types of cancer. Everyone has the BRCA2 gene, Kaysie's just doesn't work.
The last two months she has met with innumerable doctors. Oncologists, breast and ovarian, nutritionists, geneticists, dermatologists, plastics, etc.
After meeting with the doctors, having multiple biopsies and scans, on her knees relentlessly crying to God, my son and Kaysie have decided to go through with the recommended Preventative Double Mastectomy.
Scheduled for OCTOBER 16th. This surgery will remove ALL breast tissue and place expanders under the pectoral muscle. A recovery time of 4-6 weeks with multiple trips to Seattle (200 mile round trip) She will be unable to use her arms for this period and will have surgical drains placed for up to 3 weeks with many follow up appointments to watch for infections and drain removal. After initial healing and the drains are removed she will begin the process of going to Seattle weekly to bi weekly to get her expanders filled.. This needs to be done slowly to help her tight, thinner skin to accommodate.
After this long period of recovery she will be faced with yet another surgery to remove the expanders, and start the reconstruction journey. This is the best case scenario. Needless to say, Kaysie and Adam have a high deductible plan and will be paying 40% of everything.
Kaysie has been faced with one of the hardest decisions of her young life. All that she has been through with her little Lincoln she has been so steadfast, loving, and strong. It has amazed me, the strength and passion she has shown while fighting for her child in so many ways.
I wish I could take her place.
I wish this was not a decision she needed to make.
Her other choice would be a life full of scans and painful biopsies, worrying about the results, the dread of waiting for "that call", or worse yet, taking a ineffective chemo pill with all its unmentionable side effects. What does a young mother of three do??
All I can do is be there with them. Caring for their three small children and household. I see my son's heart and anxiety for his wife, as well as the added financial fears, and it breaks me not being able to do more.
This is why I'm reaching out with this GoFund me. I've had the privilege to see these fundraisers bless and enrich the lives of those in need. Not only financially, but in the love and care shown by all of those who reach out with words of encouragement and concern. It truly does do the heart good to be encircled by others love and prayers. Thank you from the depths of my heart for all who do so.
This has been my mantra: God's promise and comfort;
God is Love.
His love endures forever.
Never will I forsake you or leave you.
All things work together for good for those who love God.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
As they begin yet another journey that is sure to have many hard moments and pain, I am assured by His love and His promise that He is with us always.
Blessings and many heartfelt thanks to you all!
You can follow her through this journey at
Felicias Photo Story and Kaysies personal blog.
Organizer
Kema Berry
Organizer
Bellingham, WA
