Kristen’s Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer

My name is Kristen Wise and I have been living with ER+ PR+ HER2- breast cancer since 2009 . Originally diagnosed at age 37 with bilateral breast cancer stage 2, I underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and several reconstruction surgeries. Along with this I started daily oral treatments of an aromatase inhibitors called arimidex & monthly lupron injections to shut down my ovaries to keep the cancer from recurring & spreading outside the breast. I would continue this treatment for a total of 10 years. Eager to make the most of my circumstances, I volunteered for over ten clinical trials and studies to identify drugs to prevent bone metastasis, treat early stage cancer, and evaluate the efficacy of various medications in stopping progression.

Scans revealed a sub centimeter spot on my liver as early as 2009. In June of 2015, a scan revealed a spot on my spine. Both thought to be benign, we continued to monitor them.

In 2017, a new small tumor in my breast necessitated another surgery and change in treatment to the last of three aromatase inhibitors available. Additionally, I underwent more rounds of chemo and radiation to right breast and axilla.

Sadly, the spots on my spine, left humerus, sternum, and clavicle identified in scans over the years were indeed metastatic breast cancer and resulted in a T12 spinal fracture in July of 2019. This event left me unable to walk or take care of myself for weeks and necessitated more surgery to cement my T12 vertebrae, osteo cool radiofrequency to the tumor, and a dose of SBRT radiation. After recovery, we changed to a targeted oral therapy called Ibrance along with monthly injections to keep growth of the cancer at bay for as long as possible. I have undertaken numerous courses of palliative SBRT radiation to these lesions to lessen the pain and keep me mobile. The hormone status of the cancer in the bone changed from PR + to PR-, with the ER+ percentage dropping drastically. We also did a genomic testing which showed a few other actionable mutations that opened up some new treatments available as things progress.

In December of 2021, the sub centimeter spot on my liver exploded to over 5cm with necrosis feature in the center. MRIs reveal the growth rate at about a cm per month. I will have a liver biopsy on October 10th, 2022 to identify any new mutations, confirm the status of hormone receptors, and identify appropriate changes to my treatment plan.

I am raising money to help ease the burden of years of copays, medicine, transportation, hotel, as I travel 7 hours round trip for treatment at Duke Cancer Center from Asheville, NC.

My prognosis is dependent on if and how long treatments continue to work. Over time, MBC cells becomes resistant to therapies . There is a finite number of treatments available and eventually I will run out of treatments. Stage IV is terminal so I will eventually require end of life hospice care. I don’t want to leave my family with all of this. Up till now, when people inquire what they can do, I have always replied with “nothing”. Expenses after 13 years continue so I’m here to ask for support to relieve a bit of the financial stress .

I thank you in advance for ALL the support you have given me over the years and continue to offer me. Friends and family have stepped up with visits & memory making in my time of need, as well as my online community of YSC sisters ! Every moment we get on this earth is not to be taken for granted and I hope I get to share many more with all of you.

Please do not feel obligated to help any amount no matter how small is greatly appreciated. Sending good thoughts and prayers is appreciated or even sharing my story .

Update end of life care has become incredibly expensive and we appreciate any help we can get.