A true friend is hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget

     It breaks my heart to announce that Lisa Reynolds, a rare bright star in this world, has been diagnosed with stage IV small cell lung cancer with widespread metastatic cancer throughout the bones. Prognosis is grim, but Lisa said to me “I’m a fighter. Let’s fight this with everything we’ve got”

LOYAL            FIERCE            HONEST          UNWAVERING             AUTHENTIC


     Lisa has taught me that friends are the family you choose and those bonds can be stronger than blood. She has touched my heart in unforgettable ways, as I know she has impacted many of your lives for the better. Above all else, her friends matter the most to her and she was always there to help when anyone would call in need. Now, it is Lisa who is in desperate need of your help and support. Please come together to help her fight this with everything we’ve got! Lets come together as her friends, as the family she chose, and help show her

 The comeback is always stronger than the setback


History and treatment: 

     In October of 2019, Lisa began experiencing shoulder pain. After being told it was musculoskeletal she tried heat/cold/cortisone shots, and finally went to the hospital for severe pain in November 2019. A CT revealed a tiny lung mass the pulmonologist told her was a mucous plug. Lisa did not have insurance at the time. So, the pulmonologist told her to come back in January when her insurance started and he would do a bronchoscopy to clear it out. In January, the pulmonologist decided to do a thoracentesis because her lung had filled with fluid. The pulmonologist cultured the fluid and found bacteria so he decided to start her on antibiotics are decided not to do the bronchoscopy. Lisa grew weaker and weaker during this time and eventually was unable to eat or walk. She experienced a fall at work in March and broke her arm. However, surgery was declined due to the COVID-19 epidemic. On April 27th her friends showed up to help her to her next pulmonologist follow up when Lisa could no longer stand. Her friends called 911 and Lisa was admitted to St Rose Hospital.

     A bronchoscopy and biopsy on the now, multiple lung masses, were performed. She was discharged to a nursing home for physical therapy and to follow up with a cancer specialist. While in the nursing home Lisa was diagnosed with a blood clot in her leg. In an unfortunate experience Lisa suffered medical abuse and neglect from the nursing staff. One evening. Lisa began to have a breathing emergency and when staff refused to provide care, her friend had to call 911. Lisa was admitted to Spring Valley Hospital on May 4 with respiratory failure and cardiac distress. A chest tube was surgically placed to provide constant drainage for her lung that refilled again with fluid. It was there we received the results of the biopsy finding small cell lung cancer and she had a full PET scan that found the bone cancer. In the following days while being repositioned in the bed, her femur was fractured and now she has a broken leg to top it all off. 

Prognosis:

     Lisa was informed by the hospital oncologist that survival past 6 months is unlikely. Without chemo she will deteriorate within a couple months. With chemo, she could survive a few months more. With a miracle, she could last as long as God allows. The chemo will be incredibly more for her body to take, but she is determined to give it all her might. To quote Lisa, “I have been a survivor my whole life. I’m going to fight this.” 

                                                                                            Help Lisa survive and fight this battle with her!

Treatment:

     Lisa will be transferred to Summerlin Hospital on May 14, where she will undergo her first round of chemo. Within the next two weeks they will discharge her home. The doctor will not be sending her to a nursing home because she no longer qualifies for rehab. All of her care from here on out will be reliant upon outpatient and private pay. Lisa will then be taken to the renowned Comprehensive Cancer Center and be evaluate for clinical trials and compassionate care treatments. 

      Please donate to help fund Lisa’s Fight Fund. It is an unfortunate reality that insurance only covers a minimal portion of expenses. Your donations will help cover her additional expenses for the next two months:

In Home CNA services 

(bathing, toileting, feeding, 

dressing, etc) x7/days week: $1700 month

Treatment Copays and Deductibles $1570 month

Comprehensive Cancer Center Travel Expenses $2750 month

Living Expenses $1020 month

______________

$ 7030 month

x 2

= $14,080 two months

We set the goal at two months worth of expenses. After the initiation of the first two months of treatment, we will know if the treatment is working and if it can progress as is or if the plan of care needs to be reevaluated and new treatments implemented.