Help Kim Keep Fighting Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer

Update January 16, 2025: My fight continues. We are closely monitoring an area in my sternum, where they didn’t get good margins in surgery, a spot in my right iliac (hip) bone, and in the vertebrae by PET scans every 3 months. Back in October, my insurance canceled, so during my very lengthy recertification process, I was not able to be given my shots that keep my body from producing estrogen which makes my cancer grow. I also went without my oral chemo meds for several week, That’s all straight now, but my PET scan on 12/5/24 showed increased activity in those areas. My doctor ordered another PET scan in 6 weeks to gauge if some of that increase was due to the lapse in treatment. That scan was today. The area in the hip showed an increase but the other two areas decreased, so I’m not sure what that means. I see the doctor on Monday, so I can update more then.

I am still employed at my full time job but it’s been difficult to work 40 hours a week due to my body adjusting to being back on everything: I do receive PTO, but that gets used up early with my frequent doctor appointments. I don’t know if photon beam radiation would help me or not, but my insurance does not cover it and it costs up in the area of $25,000 a pop.

I also realize that there is a possibility that one day I suddenly become unable to care for myself, and I dread being that burden. Any savings to ease that burden for whomever it falls on as well as for my kids.

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

We are humbly reaching out to you today with a plea for help. As many of you know, our friend Kim Thompson will be starting chemotherapy treatments in the next couple of weeks, due to a recent breast cancer recurrence in the sternum. This portion of her sternum was removed in a major cardiothoracic surgery on May 5, 2023 and she is currently recovering well from that. Some of you may also know that this will be the THIRD time for her to go through chemo. She has lost all of her hair twice already in the last 5 years, first in 2017 and again in 2020.

Chemo is a daunting and difficult process, and one of the most challenging side effects is hair loss. Losing your hair can be a traumatic experience, especially when already facing so much. And while Kim is not worried about this from a place of vanity, she would welcome a chance to preserve her dignity and keep her hair this time around.

Thankfully, there is a solution! The Paxman Scalp Cooling System is a medical device that can help prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatment. The system works by cooling the scalp, which reduces blood flow to the hair follicles and can help protect them from the damaging effects of chemotherapy drugs.

Unfortunately, the treatment is not covered by insurance. The cost of service is self-pay only and must be paid prior to the equipment being shipped to her. The cost of 12 treatments is $2,400, which is a significant financial burden for most people.

We are asking for your help to raise money to cover the cost of the scalp cooling system for Kim, as well as for additional medical costs and to hopefully help supplement with missed work and income.

By donating, you can make this treatment possible and give Kim a fighting chance to keep her hair and her dignity during this time already filled with so many uncertainties.

Please donate whatever you can to help. Every little bit counts and your generosity will make a real difference in a big way.

Thank you for your support.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PAXMAN SCALP COOLING SYSTEM, PLEASE CLICK HERE.