Hey y'all, Hannah and Lukas here. As most of you know, our mom Kirsten was diagnosed September 2020 with Stage 4 Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She went through chemotherapy successfully, kicking cancers ass and ringing the bell that officially put her into remission in April 2021. During the months she was in remission she was able to get back to a semi-normal life; visiting Hannah in Florida (for a month!), returning to work as a part time Nanny and full time at a bakery in Hamilton, NY, and resuming every day activities that were difficult to impossible due to the chemo. It was amazing to see her start to feel better and get back into seeing her friends and working regularly.

 

Unfortunately she had a routine 3 month PET scan in October 2021 which uncovered Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) in her nasopharynx and immediately started RDHAP, a more rigorous chemo regimen than the first diagnosis, that week. Due to this she has had to quit working as a result of the physical and mental toll this new diagnosis has brought. She has been in the hospital with severe complications and side effects from the chemo since the new diagnosis, and is expected to be in the hospital for a majority of the coming months into the middle of next year while she receives ongoing treatment.

 

During these months she will have an extended inpatient stay in the Rochester Hospital (a three hour drive from home) for at least 28 days at a time. The intense chemicals in this new chemo regimen are affecting her kidneys, platelets and entire immune system so she will have to stay self isolated, both at home and in the hospital, and can have no visitors. Lukas and I will be taking turns staying with her after each treatment so she will have someone taking care of her, she will also be in the hospital for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

If you know Kirsten, you know she is a caring and selfless person who would do anything for anyone, trust me, she's been doing the most for Lukas and I our entire lives. She does not like asking for help or being a "burden" but she needs our help now, and whether that's through donation, kind words, letters, good vibes, it is all appreciated. She has been through this before and is no stranger to the difficulties that come along with cancer. If you or a loved one has been through it you know the hardships that can come along with it as well.

 

We are asking for donations that will be used for rent, bills, gas and food while she is unable to work during the time the treatment is occurring. We are unsure at this time how long she will be out of work as the treatment this time is more intense and taking more of a toll on her body. The doctors also do not want her driving for 8 weeks after her inpatient stay which will make her dependent on having groceries delivered, being taken to appointments, etc.

 

If you are uncomfortable utilizing GoFundMe directly, I will put my Venmo at the bottom. Her address will also be listed if you would rather send directly to her.

 

Additionally, because of self isolation, no flowers/balloons/etc can be accepted. Instead, we ask that if you are unable to donate, cards and/or letters, or simply sharing this post would be appreciated. Her address will be at the bottom.

 

Kirsten's Address - 259 State Highway 320 Apt B Norwich NY 13815

Hannah's Venmo - HannahBenjamin

 

Thank you so much for reading this far and your consideration, you are appreciated :)