Medical & travel expenses for Kristi Driver
Donation protected
Kristi Sullens Driver is currently employed at Barry’s Tire & Exhaust. She has worked there for over 20 years, alongside her father and brother. Derek, her husband and their daughter Bella, have stood by her side through her journey which began on February 28, 2019.
She began to feel as if she had the stomach flu, but without the fever. She went to her doctor to see what the problem could be since all the symptoms weren’t correlating with the stomach flu. Her doctor recommended an ultrasound of her abdomen, in particular her gallbladder as some of the symptoms were similar to gallstones. During her ultrasound the technician noticed something abnormal with her pancreas. The Radiologist looked at her ultrasound and found a place that was either in the pancreas or in close proximity, and recommended a CT scan. That afternoon a CT scan confirmed it was inside the pancreas. An appointment was made with Levine’s Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. The surgeon immediately recommended a pancreatectomy, which would remove 75% of the pancreas, the spleen, and the appendix. After a long 3 weeks post surgery, the results came back. Cancer. A word no one wants to hear. Kristi is the 40th case to ever be recorded, meaning only 39 other people in the ENTIRE world has ever had this type of cancer. It’s a very rare (typically)childhood tumor originating from the epithelial exocrine cells of the pancreas. The average age of someone who has this cancer is 5 years old. Along with this cancer the tumor also included cancer cells for neuroendocrine cancer and adenocarcinoma.
Dr. Hwang, Kristi’s oncologist at Levine’s Cancer Institute was unsure as to the best way to treat her. He suggested a second opinion as far as what treatment, if any is recommended. Due to be rare nature of it, he has never seen a patient with it before.
After going to MD Anderson in Texas, she received news that she will need chemotherapy. She will begin chemo at the end of July, shortly after having her port placed.
While Kristi on her journey to recovery we don’t want her to have to worry about travel expenses and medical bills that have started to accrue and will continue for years to come.
We appreciate any acts of generosity that you may be able to make to a help a wonderful wife and mother. If you are unable to donate, prayers, thoughts and good vibes are very much appreciated! Thank you to each and every one of you!
She began to feel as if she had the stomach flu, but without the fever. She went to her doctor to see what the problem could be since all the symptoms weren’t correlating with the stomach flu. Her doctor recommended an ultrasound of her abdomen, in particular her gallbladder as some of the symptoms were similar to gallstones. During her ultrasound the technician noticed something abnormal with her pancreas. The Radiologist looked at her ultrasound and found a place that was either in the pancreas or in close proximity, and recommended a CT scan. That afternoon a CT scan confirmed it was inside the pancreas. An appointment was made with Levine’s Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. The surgeon immediately recommended a pancreatectomy, which would remove 75% of the pancreas, the spleen, and the appendix. After a long 3 weeks post surgery, the results came back. Cancer. A word no one wants to hear. Kristi is the 40th case to ever be recorded, meaning only 39 other people in the ENTIRE world has ever had this type of cancer. It’s a very rare (typically)childhood tumor originating from the epithelial exocrine cells of the pancreas. The average age of someone who has this cancer is 5 years old. Along with this cancer the tumor also included cancer cells for neuroendocrine cancer and adenocarcinoma.
Dr. Hwang, Kristi’s oncologist at Levine’s Cancer Institute was unsure as to the best way to treat her. He suggested a second opinion as far as what treatment, if any is recommended. Due to be rare nature of it, he has never seen a patient with it before.
After going to MD Anderson in Texas, she received news that she will need chemotherapy. She will begin chemo at the end of July, shortly after having her port placed.
While Kristi on her journey to recovery we don’t want her to have to worry about travel expenses and medical bills that have started to accrue and will continue for years to come.
We appreciate any acts of generosity that you may be able to make to a help a wonderful wife and mother. If you are unable to donate, prayers, thoughts and good vibes are very much appreciated! Thank you to each and every one of you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Zach Sullens
Organizer
Forest City, NC
Kristi Driver
Beneficiary
