Teacher Lisa Spires Battles Stage 4 Breast Cancer
Donation protected
"I have the BEST teacher in the WORLD!!" Those were the exact words of my 7 year old just a few weeks ago...
Little does she realize just how ABSOLUTELY AMAZING her 2nd grade teacher is....
My friend, fellow co-worker, daughter's teacher, and Hilltop Elementary's Teacher of the Year (last year) is facing the FIGHT OF HER LIFE with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. First and foremost, Lisa would appreciate your prayers and support more than anything! She continues to teach (as she needs the paycheck and insurance). If you are a teacher (or know one), you know that each day of teaching can be challenging (to say the least), let alone trying to do so while under going chemo and fighting for your life!
Her spunky personality hasn't missed a beat. In fact, if it weren't for the physical changes, you would never know the battle she faces. She is an amazing, fun, hands-on teacher and is a wonderful, dedicated mom to two beautiful girls. Sara will be starting her first year of college in the fall, and Abby is in 4th grade this year.
She is currently facing an enormous amount of medical bills (even with health insurance). If you are able to donate, it would be greatly appreciated!
Below is Lisa's medical journal from the start....
Lisa tested positive for BRCA1 - high risk for ovarian and breast cancer. After finding this out, she discussed with her doctor preventative surgery options and they decided to remove the ovaries first and the breasts the following summer.
In June of 2018, she had a complete hysterectomy at 39 years old.
In the beginning of December of 2018, she had a routine mammogram, followed by ultrasound and biopsies. On December 21, 2018 at 40 years of age, the biopsy came back Stage 2, Grade 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. This was in the left breast and 1 lymph node. Triple Negative is about 20% of breast cancers and is one of the most aggressive types. It has a high recurrence rate.
In January of 2019, she began heavy cycles of chemo (a total of 12 through June).
In July of the same year, she underwent a double mastectomy with lymph node dissection. Clean margins was declared with no evidence of the disease.
She then went 33 daily radiation treatments (October-December of 2019).
In January of 2020, she began oral chemo just in case. In July of 2020, she had surgery to repair radiation damage to reconstruction.
In August of 2020, she ended up in the ER for something unrelated, and a CT was completed. The report showed a spot in the lung and a follow up was suggested.
In November of 2020, the follow up CT showed that the nodule had grown since August.
On December 15, 2020, the biopsy confirmed Triple Negative Breast Cancer in the lung. It is back and has spread to nearby organs.
Stage 4 at 42 years old.
She has gone to Moffitt for a 2nd opinion on a treatment plan, and was enrolled in a phase 2 clinical trail.
She is currently being treated with chemo and immunotherapy infusions as well as a trail oral chemo drug.
THANK YOU for taking the time to read...please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers! God can work miracles....
Little does she realize just how ABSOLUTELY AMAZING her 2nd grade teacher is....
My friend, fellow co-worker, daughter's teacher, and Hilltop Elementary's Teacher of the Year (last year) is facing the FIGHT OF HER LIFE with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. First and foremost, Lisa would appreciate your prayers and support more than anything! She continues to teach (as she needs the paycheck and insurance). If you are a teacher (or know one), you know that each day of teaching can be challenging (to say the least), let alone trying to do so while under going chemo and fighting for your life!
Her spunky personality hasn't missed a beat. In fact, if it weren't for the physical changes, you would never know the battle she faces. She is an amazing, fun, hands-on teacher and is a wonderful, dedicated mom to two beautiful girls. Sara will be starting her first year of college in the fall, and Abby is in 4th grade this year.
She is currently facing an enormous amount of medical bills (even with health insurance). If you are able to donate, it would be greatly appreciated!
Below is Lisa's medical journal from the start....
Lisa tested positive for BRCA1 - high risk for ovarian and breast cancer. After finding this out, she discussed with her doctor preventative surgery options and they decided to remove the ovaries first and the breasts the following summer.
In June of 2018, she had a complete hysterectomy at 39 years old.
In the beginning of December of 2018, she had a routine mammogram, followed by ultrasound and biopsies. On December 21, 2018 at 40 years of age, the biopsy came back Stage 2, Grade 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. This was in the left breast and 1 lymph node. Triple Negative is about 20% of breast cancers and is one of the most aggressive types. It has a high recurrence rate.
In January of 2019, she began heavy cycles of chemo (a total of 12 through June).
In July of the same year, she underwent a double mastectomy with lymph node dissection. Clean margins was declared with no evidence of the disease.
She then went 33 daily radiation treatments (October-December of 2019).
In January of 2020, she began oral chemo just in case. In July of 2020, she had surgery to repair radiation damage to reconstruction.
In August of 2020, she ended up in the ER for something unrelated, and a CT was completed. The report showed a spot in the lung and a follow up was suggested.
In November of 2020, the follow up CT showed that the nodule had grown since August.
On December 15, 2020, the biopsy confirmed Triple Negative Breast Cancer in the lung. It is back and has spread to nearby organs.
Stage 4 at 42 years old.
She has gone to Moffitt for a 2nd opinion on a treatment plan, and was enrolled in a phase 2 clinical trail.
She is currently being treated with chemo and immunotherapy infusions as well as a trail oral chemo drug.
THANK YOU for taking the time to read...please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers! God can work miracles....
Co-organizers (3)
Tracy Encapera
Organizer
Wauchula, FL
Lisa Spires
Beneficiary
Amanda Crawford
Co-organizer
Samantha Edwards
Co-organizer