Kris Luchanski

Hi, my name is Brett Luchanski. On Aug 3, 2022 my wife Kris was diagnosed with T3N3B M0 Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma on the bottom of her tongue. She reported discomfort & persistent canker on her tongue to her dentist in Aug ‘21. She was told it wasn’t cancer, just stress. Again she reported it on March ‘22. Eventually she was sent for biopsy & in Aug ‘22 she was told she had cancer. This is the second time. She had breast cancer in 2015 which included chemotherapy, double mastectomy, radiation & other surgeries. On September 27, 2022 she underwent major oral surgery to remove the tumour & infected lymph nodes. They removed half of her tongue. Performed a radial arm flap, which means they take skin, tendon & muscles from her forearm to re build the half of the tongue they took out. They then had to take a skin graft from her leg to cover the arm site. Her surgery was 15 hours long. She stayed in ICU for one night and 9 days in intensive surgery recovery unit at the U of A Hospital. She woke up with a temporary tracheotomy, which meant no talking, eating or drinking for 6 days until it was removed. It was incredibly hard. She then has had to do 6 rounds of chemotherapy & 30 rounds of radiation. The radiation causes her mouth to become inflamed and swollen. Making it next to impossible to eat anything. Even drinking & talking are difficult. We have incurred many hardships as a family, emotionally, physically and financially. Expensive protein drinks, creams for scars & the arm site, parking at the hospitals & Cross Cancer Institute everyday. Countless prescriptions. She has lost 75 pounds in 5 months. She will need new clothes that fit. I am asking you to help our family offset these costs that are not covered under health plans. Thank you for reading & your generosity. My family will be eternally grateful for your helping hands.