Support Lori in Her Battle Against Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer

My name is Rich, and I am sharing on behalf of my incredible wife, Lori. She is the strongest person I know, and despite everything she’s endured, she continues to fight with courage and determination.

Lori’s initial battle with the enemy:

After the COVID-19 scare subsided, Lori went to the doctor for a lump check. A mammogram led to a biopsy, and she was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer (ILC).

Following her diagnosis, she underwent a mastectomy on her left breast, where doctors discovered a concerning black substance, resulting in another surgery to remove all lymph nodes on her left side.

Lori underwent exhausting radiation treatments, followed by long nights of work as a waitress.

For a year, she endured severe pain, leading to another surgery where they found a large hematoma under her expander. We hoped a final operation would ease her suffering.

After multiple surgeries and extensive radiation, Lori, her family, and I were able to reflect on her journey, appreciating her unwavering positivity and determination to move forward. Through this experience, we learned to cherish life’s small moments even more. Lori devoted her spare time to the things that brought her the most joy—motorcycle adventures, quality time with family, crafting with her grandson, Gabriel, and taking our Beagle, Mr. Gustafson, on long walks in the woods.

The enemy returned with a vengeance this past Christmas.

Three years after recovering from her initial battle with ILC, Lori began experiencing crippling back pain. After multiple ER visits, a CT scan revealed the cancer was back, and it had spread to her spine.

Her holidays were overshadowed with relentless pain, endless unanswered questions, and paralyzing fear.

Months later, a biopsy and multiple scans confirmed that the ILC had metastasized to her skull, bones near her eyes, sternum, ribs, shoulders, neck, multiple vertebrae, and pelvis, ultimately taking away her ability to walk.

While we were receiving an endless supply of bad news, we found out that her insurance was no longer accepted by the doctors she came to know and trust during her first battle with ILC, so she had to wait for openings with new doctors, and travel hours away to meet with her new team.

She bravely went through 10 exhausting rounds of radiation, which slightly reduced her pain and helped her regain the ability to walk short distances.

She has since developed drop foot, and is currently undergoing tests to determine whether the cancer has spread to her brain.

Lori is currently on chemotherapy for the next five years, along with hormone blockers and pain management medication with the goal of allowing her to stay mobile.

Lori is my world, and watching her fight this disease has been heartbreaking. Yet, through every challenge, she has shown unwavering resilience and hope. Not once has she given up or surrendered (for long) to the relentless pain she faces each day.

Your support means everything. Every contribution helps us cover medical and travel expenses, and ease the burden as she continues her courageous fight. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.