Help Support Jordan!
Donation protected
Anyone who meets Jordan is immediately struck by her bubbly and warm personality. She is an extremely hard working and compassionate individual. While navigating the challenges of obtaining a nursing degree, Jordan was diagnosed with stage 3 metastatic melanoma. Jordan and her family have faced this unimaginable obstacle with grace and determination. During this incredibly difficult time we are reaching out to help ease the financial burden of her treatment/associated costs.
Below is Jordan's story in her own words...
Over the 2017 Thanksgiving break from college, I went to my dermatologist because I had a mole of concern on my back that was darker and itchier than the rest of them. My doctor took a biopsy of the mole on my back and another mole on my chest. Shortly after, I received the call from her letting me know that my chest was clear but the mole on my back had advanced melanoma. The doctors have predicted that the melanoma has been growing undetected for about 7 years. Within a month, I had extensive surgery to remove the melanoma tumor in my back, surrounding tissues, muscles as well as lymph nodes under each arm. After returning to school in January, I found out that the lymph nodes had tested positive for melanoma, causing the diagnosis to become a stage 3 metastatic.
I met my oncologist and we developed a treatment plan with the medication Dabrafenib,a BRAF inhibitor, which is an immune modifier that will train my body to attack all BRAF areas. This was only possible because I was found to be BRAF positive, which in this case was a good thing because it meant the medication would be effective! It is an oral form of chemotherapy that I will take daily for 18 months, with the only known major side effect being an elevated baseline body temperature. However, I get to keep my hair, so YAY! Before leaving for spring break, my oncologist and I met to review the medication before beginning it. At that time, she told me that another major side effect of the medication is potential infertility. The medication was only approved February 2018 by the FDA for stage 3A melanoma, and no women in the clinical trial who took the medication for the entire course have been able to successfully become pregnant (yet). This was tough news to take in.
Choosing to be protective, I met with a fertility specialist to discuss my options before beginning the chemotherapy. Together, we came up with a plan and I am hopeful for the future. Unfortunately, our insurance won't cover everything involved in this plan, but we have decided to move forward with it anyways despite the price tag.
I am excited to say my most recent surgery was wonderfully successful and I am starting the Dabrafenib soon. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers!!
Below is Jordan's story in her own words...
Over the 2017 Thanksgiving break from college, I went to my dermatologist because I had a mole of concern on my back that was darker and itchier than the rest of them. My doctor took a biopsy of the mole on my back and another mole on my chest. Shortly after, I received the call from her letting me know that my chest was clear but the mole on my back had advanced melanoma. The doctors have predicted that the melanoma has been growing undetected for about 7 years. Within a month, I had extensive surgery to remove the melanoma tumor in my back, surrounding tissues, muscles as well as lymph nodes under each arm. After returning to school in January, I found out that the lymph nodes had tested positive for melanoma, causing the diagnosis to become a stage 3 metastatic.
I met my oncologist and we developed a treatment plan with the medication Dabrafenib,a BRAF inhibitor, which is an immune modifier that will train my body to attack all BRAF areas. This was only possible because I was found to be BRAF positive, which in this case was a good thing because it meant the medication would be effective! It is an oral form of chemotherapy that I will take daily for 18 months, with the only known major side effect being an elevated baseline body temperature. However, I get to keep my hair, so YAY! Before leaving for spring break, my oncologist and I met to review the medication before beginning it. At that time, she told me that another major side effect of the medication is potential infertility. The medication was only approved February 2018 by the FDA for stage 3A melanoma, and no women in the clinical trial who took the medication for the entire course have been able to successfully become pregnant (yet). This was tough news to take in.
Choosing to be protective, I met with a fertility specialist to discuss my options before beginning the chemotherapy. Together, we came up with a plan and I am hopeful for the future. Unfortunately, our insurance won't cover everything involved in this plan, but we have decided to move forward with it anyways despite the price tag.
I am excited to say my most recent surgery was wonderfully successful and I am starting the Dabrafenib soon. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Joanna Parolin
Organizer
Manchester, NH
Jordan Ezekiel
Beneficiary