Krystal's Fight Against Breast Cancer

Hi everyone, my name is Krystal Schotts. I am a 45 year old Mother of 3, Wife, Young Grandmother of 3, Daughter, and Friend to many.

Today I embark on a journey for financial help and support throughout my journey with STAGE 3, HER2+ ER-, PR- Invasive Ductual Carcinoma.

The Diagnosis and Treatment Plan:

December 17th, 2022 my life as I knew it had forever changed. I was diagnosed with a "Rare" and "Highly Agressive" form of Breast Cancer, and deamed my current health as "Critical Life Threatening Illness" one that I will no doubtlbly fight the rest of my life. I was found to have 8 Tumors total. 4 tumors in my left breast, and 4 tumors under my left armpit. As of current I am showing 2 additional lessions one on my knee and one on my sternum...further testing to come. With my current diagnosis my Medical Team of Oncologists at the Cross Cancer insisted I start IV High dose chemotherapy immediately in hopes to stop the Agressive Cancer from spreading, and or growing any further along with the hopes of breaking down the tumors to save my life. I started High Does Chemo in February of 2023 and after 6 months of treatment my body decided it could no longer take any further does of chemo. Which lead to my oncologist stating I needed an emergency Blood Transfusion, to which I denied for personal reasons. I was placed on complete bed rest for a month, along with hydration appointments and other injections to help raise my very low white blood cell count. With that said, my doctors did another scan, finding I still had active tumors. Than came the hard to hear true real facts that I infact needed a mastectomy of the left breast to save my life...cutt the cancer out!! After 6 weeks of healing time, I was informed that to further my success in beating Cancer I needed to proceed with 16 rounds of Radiation Treatment to which I completed. In high intense pain from the radiation my skin was left burnt to a crisp, cracked, peeling and bleeding. Again I was given recovery healing time of 6 weeks. I was brought back into the Cross and had a follow up with my medical oncologist team, stating that due to the active Cancer I had in my body at time of mastectomy that I need to continue my fight with 14 more rounds of IV Chemotherapy.

Throughout this Fight For My Life, I find myself and my family fighting to survive financially. As not all medications are covered under Alberta Health Care. I was also a brand new employee 5 months 1 week into my New Executive Finance Account Manager role and my new company did not offer short term disability coverage. My family and I were left scrambling to not only pick up the pieces of our broken frightened hearts from the diagnosis but left scrambling to cover medical costs, and monthly financial obligations. I managed to get a total of 26 weeks paid for critial illness through the government àt much lower rate of income than I was making. So we tightened up our belts and watched every single scent we spent. After 26 weeks I was left of no income. I applied for Long Tern Disability, hoping this would carry me through my journey. To be Declined from the Insurance company on the basis that I was diagnosed 3 weeks before my health benefits actually kicked in (again I was a new employee) so they considered my illness as a pre existing illness. I have been surving from Jesse who is working double shifts, longer hours and more days leaving him to still come home and take care of me throughout my sickness and taking me to and from the many and I mean many appointments. This has left him completely exhausted both mentally and physically. The STRESS is very high!! Kaylee our youngest daughter who lives at home, who is in her last year of high school studying very hard to Graduate, picked up a part time job when I was diagnosed to help with what she can financially for herself which no child should have to do.

My Fight:

As a mom of 3 and 2 grandchildren and another on the way I decided not only am I going to fight for my life the conventional way of treatment I seeked out a Natural pathic Alternative Treatment Center in St. Albert to help me win my Fight Against Cancer!! I have explored with many alternative cancer treatment modalities. Herbs, supplements tonics, juicing, injections, and intermediate fasting to name a few. There are many more treatments available, unfortunately I can not afford them. The modalities I have been able to do, I feel have helped me Stay Alive, and I have gained so much knowledge in ways to help myself understand my cancer and how to help feed my body what it needs to not only stay alive but give me the strength to continue through the Grueling Conventional way of treatment. As they are so very hard on the body and remember chemo does not only attack the bad Cancer cells it also attacks and kills the healthy cells aswell.

So I am reaching out to all my friends, family and colleagues for support as my myself and my family find ourselves drowning in this battle to even buy groceries. I still have a very long road ahead of me as I am unable to work untill 2026 when all treatments and reconstructive surgeries will be completed.

I have started this gofundme page to rally support and provide the necessary financial assistance to help me and my family through this difficult journey.

Why your Support Matters:

As I continue to embark on this challenging treatment journey and fight for my life. I have and will continue to face not only physical and emotional hurdles, but also significant financial hardship and strain. Medical Bills, Transportation costs, continued school expenses for Kaylee and house hold support are just a few of the financial challenges myself and my family faces daily and will continue to face throughout my journey.

Anything you can contribute will help provide vital assistance, and allowing me to focus more on my treatments and recovery.

By donating to my gofundme page you will become a intergal part of my support network. Your contributions, no matter the size, will make a meaningful impact and difference on my journey to health and wellness and survival. In addition to financial support, your words of encouragement, thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated and help keep my spirit lifted.

Please let's All Stand Together and Fight Cancer. Please consider making a donation and sharing my gofundme page within your network of friends, family and colleagues.

Together we can make a world of difference and help me to courageously continue my fight against Cancer.

Thank you all for you Love and Support

If anyone wants to connect with me personally they can through Facebook, text, call, visits or through this gofundme page

I love you all ❤❤❤

Love Krystal