Kelley's fight

June 2017, the month that Kelley’s life was changed forever. That was when she felt a lemon sized growth in her right breast. After a whirlwind of appointments, scans, biopsies and three weeks later the news was earth shattering; Kelley was told she has stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and it had spread to her liver and bones as well. There are no words at this point to describe what she felt; disbelief, worry, sadness, and FEAR. The next six months were going to be a true test of her strength and faith, the plan of action was targeted radiation to her hip and Chemotherapy every 3 weeks. During those treatment weeks , she described it as, “I feel like I have fractured every bone in my body”. To see someone so beautiful, young and who I had always admired for living a healthy and faithful life, it tore me apart to see her suffer like this. It was awe inspiring to witness her strength, positive energy, faith, and endless love for her family and friends throughout it all.  Throughout it all Gavin was (and continues to be) the most lovable, compassionate and generous little boy. All traits he comes by naturally from his mother. He was all the medicine she needed during those dark days, God bless that little red headed angel!) January 2018 was the last of the chemo treatments!!!! Although, she will remain on oral chemo, estragon blockers and other meds indefinitely, the treatments (and pain) had ended. Loved ones stood by her side, to hear the results from her first scan since initial diagnosis. The news was astounding, the breast tumor had shrunk so much it was difficult to even feel, the liver lesions had gone from 12 to 6 and the remaining 6 were incredibly smaller than the original measurements 6 months prior, the bone areas were shrinking and looked good. The oncologist said, these were great results. But the sinking feeling was, how was this good news? She knew that the cancer wasn’t going away, but there is always that deep down promise of a miracle, that this was all wrong and the cancer would just vanish. She was told, that from here moving forward we control the cancer cells, we fight to keep them where they are at. Continue to monitor every 3 months with scans to make sure the cells are behaving and not becoming aggressive or that there aren’t any new lesions appearing. Kelley had made a vow during those 6 months. When she got to feeling better, she would live with no regrets, spend time with those she loved, take trips near & far and not take a day for granted. So that’s what she did for the next 6 months. July 30th 2018 was a dark and scary day that Kelley will never truly get over. She experienced a seizure while at work at the UW hospital.  The doctors believed it was a rapid change in meds that caused her body to react in such a way, as Kelley has experienced a similar seizure a little over 2 years ago and had a change in meds at that time as well. As protocol, she needed an MRI of her brain. Three very long days later after being admitted, Kelley’s world was shook again. Late that night as her friends gathered around her hospital bed, she was told that the MRI showed 6 small lesions in her cerebellum. Kelley again has had to come to terms with what this means for her and her family. She will not be returning to work at the UW. (Oh yeah, did I mention that Kelley is a Nurse Practitioner for Neuro Oncology, the irony is not lost on us) As a standard practice after a seizure, she won’t be driving for 6 months either. She will be receiving Gamma Knife Radiation later this week, the amazing radiation team has reassured her that this is the very best option for her & the success rates are incredible to reduce & prevent further growth of these lesions. She is fortunate enough to have 3 months paid leave to get by temporarily.  However that will come to end very quickly as well as her additional medical coverage.  This fund is set up to help Kelley’s family be able to cover the majority of their expenses. Without her income, the family faces having to move, this would break Kelley’s heart to transfer Gavin to a new area and school (not a stress she needs) With the donations, our goal is for Kelley to never feel like she has to go back to work. Moving forward, she needs to spend this time with Gavin, her loved ones & live her best possible life. In addition to your prayers, your donation would be so meaningful and helpful to Kelley and her family.