Help Corey fight cancer

Hello everyone,

We want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your thoughts and donations, which have made a huge difference for Corey and Anna. Below is a personal update about her journey. We thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Love, Casey and Kendra

“In October of 2020, I went to the emergency room with several symptoms that, to me, indicated I could have something wrong with my gallbladder.  Unfortunately, that was not the case and I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Biliary AdenoCarcinoma.  Basically, I have cancer in my biliary system (area between my pancreas and liver) that has metastacized into tumors throughout that area and my liver. This type of cancer is usually found in people in the 70's & 80's and is not able to be cured at this time, however we are working on the tumors. Along with the ones in my biliary system, I had a tumor on my spine, which we treated with radiation, and a couple on the lower lobe of my right lung, which we are currently treating with the others. The treatments began with chemotherapy once/week from November - January, but the scans showed they were not very effective.  Luckily, my oncologist is amazing, and he found what he calls "smart drugs".  These are actually chemotherapy pills (mekinist & tafinlar) that, when tested, were found to match up perfectly with my tumor markers.  This treatment has been quite successful, and is shrinking most of the tumors. The ones in my liver are not responding to the pills yet, but my liver is still functioning, so we are taking a "wait and see" attitude with it.  

As time has passed, the side effects from the meds are amping up.  I still deal with the lesions on my arms and legs, as well as swollen and stiff joints, weakness in my joints, balance issues at times, memory issues (mostly word retrieval - ugh!), aches and pains throughout my body, and random bouts of chills, where I have to wrap myself in my electric blanket and drink hot water until they subside. These chills have nothing to do with the actual weather, so I've known to wrap up in a blanket and sit outside in the sun (so embarrassing!).  Luckily, my hairdresser found me a good treatment program that has helped me with the hair loss!  While these side effects are frustrating, I'm so thankful to be alive and kicking!

While insurance is covering my "smart drugs" (thank GOD!), my other meds, Dr appointments, tests, etc are very expensive.  I have had to reopen the Go Fund Me account to try to help with all of the costs.

Thank you all so much for the prayers, support, and love that you've sent my way.  I truly believe this is why I am doing as well as I am!

Corey”