Melissa's Fight Against HER2 Cancer
Donation protected
#MelissasFight
She is beautiful, smart, affectionate and funny. She is sweet, she is angelic, extraordinary and one-of-a-kind. She is patient, truthful, loving and loyal. She is trustworthy, marvelous, enjoyable and thankful. She is strong; she is brave - a warrior and a fighter. She is a daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law, niece, aunt, cousin, an amazing wife, and our friend. She is Melissa Hernandez Aulston and she is in a battle with Breast Cancer.
On January 9th, we found out my best friend Melissa was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer called “HER2 invasive ductal carcinoma.” HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (“HER2”). This form of breast cancer (HER2) has a gene mutation that makes an excess of the HER2 protein, which makes the breast cancer (i) more aggressive, (ii) more likely to grow and (iii) more likely to spread. Only approx. 1 out of every 5 breast cancer diagnoses are HER2.
It crushed my heart into a thousand pieces to hear this on the other end of the telephone line, considering I live five and half hours away from hugging her and being by her side, during this crucial time of her and her husband’s life, as well as her entire family.
Melissa and her husband were as informed of the long road ahead that awaits her, including a BIG treatment plan consisting of biopsies, chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, radiation, and continued medicinal treatment for the next ten (10) years. Due to the HER2 positive breast cancer, chemotherapy must begin immediately.
Melissa’s one and only wish after getting married this past July was to conquer her and her husband’s dream honeymoon to Thailand, and to begin starting the journey for children later this year. These dreams are now indefinitely on hold after being told of this devastating news.
Melissa has begun taking prompt matters and consideration for all of the above, by researching other possible options, planning, and a number of appointments already with oncology, infertility, radiology, and surgery specialists, just to name a few.
While much is still uncertain, what I do know at this time is that her prognosis with the type of breast cancer is treatable; the year ahead for her and her husband, however, will be rough and full of uncertainties. Without a doubt in my heart and mind, she is capable of conquering this battle in her life ahead.
As you know, medical expenses can become a financial burden, and in turn, the financial burden can cause additional emotional stress, potentially affecting her and her loved ones. Needless to say, her, her husband, and her family are currently experiencing the emotional and financial burden of her diagnosis. During the next six (6) months alone, Melissa will undergo aggressive chemotherapy treatment.
This is where we can all come in to help and support her; to help keep her strong and fighting. Melissa would never want to reach out for help and that is why I and her mother are starting this GoFundMe campaign for her. This GoFundMe page is to allow others to help reach out and assist our family during this time of need. Contributions of any amount will be forth to medical expenditures for Melissa during this journey. Your contribution will be used to any medical bills incurred and/or any post-op complications that may arise.
Melissa’s mom will keep you to update regarding Melissa’s treatment and health as we have them.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- Anything helps. There is no contribution “too small”.
- Please share this page on your social media by hitting the “share” button below, which will post to your Facebook or Twitter.
Notes from Amber and Cindy (her mother):
Thank you to all of you who have took the time to read this crushing news about my best friend and our daughter, Melissa Hernandez Aulston.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cindy (mom) or Amber through this GoFundMe page.
She is beautiful, smart, affectionate and funny. She is sweet, she is angelic, extraordinary and one-of-a-kind. She is patient, truthful, loving and loyal. She is trustworthy, marvelous, enjoyable and thankful. She is strong; she is brave - a warrior and a fighter. She is a daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law, niece, aunt, cousin, an amazing wife, and our friend. She is Melissa Hernandez Aulston and she is in a battle with Breast Cancer.
On January 9th, we found out my best friend Melissa was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer called “HER2 invasive ductal carcinoma.” HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (“HER2”). This form of breast cancer (HER2) has a gene mutation that makes an excess of the HER2 protein, which makes the breast cancer (i) more aggressive, (ii) more likely to grow and (iii) more likely to spread. Only approx. 1 out of every 5 breast cancer diagnoses are HER2.
It crushed my heart into a thousand pieces to hear this on the other end of the telephone line, considering I live five and half hours away from hugging her and being by her side, during this crucial time of her and her husband’s life, as well as her entire family.
Melissa and her husband were as informed of the long road ahead that awaits her, including a BIG treatment plan consisting of biopsies, chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, radiation, and continued medicinal treatment for the next ten (10) years. Due to the HER2 positive breast cancer, chemotherapy must begin immediately.
Melissa’s one and only wish after getting married this past July was to conquer her and her husband’s dream honeymoon to Thailand, and to begin starting the journey for children later this year. These dreams are now indefinitely on hold after being told of this devastating news.
Melissa has begun taking prompt matters and consideration for all of the above, by researching other possible options, planning, and a number of appointments already with oncology, infertility, radiology, and surgery specialists, just to name a few.
While much is still uncertain, what I do know at this time is that her prognosis with the type of breast cancer is treatable; the year ahead for her and her husband, however, will be rough and full of uncertainties. Without a doubt in my heart and mind, she is capable of conquering this battle in her life ahead.
As you know, medical expenses can become a financial burden, and in turn, the financial burden can cause additional emotional stress, potentially affecting her and her loved ones. Needless to say, her, her husband, and her family are currently experiencing the emotional and financial burden of her diagnosis. During the next six (6) months alone, Melissa will undergo aggressive chemotherapy treatment.
This is where we can all come in to help and support her; to help keep her strong and fighting. Melissa would never want to reach out for help and that is why I and her mother are starting this GoFundMe campaign for her. This GoFundMe page is to allow others to help reach out and assist our family during this time of need. Contributions of any amount will be forth to medical expenditures for Melissa during this journey. Your contribution will be used to any medical bills incurred and/or any post-op complications that may arise.
Melissa’s mom will keep you to update regarding Melissa’s treatment and health as we have them.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- Anything helps. There is no contribution “too small”.
- Please share this page on your social media by hitting the “share” button below, which will post to your Facebook or Twitter.
Notes from Amber and Cindy (her mother):
Thank you to all of you who have took the time to read this crushing news about my best friend and our daughter, Melissa Hernandez Aulston.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cindy (mom) or Amber through this GoFundMe page.
Organizer and beneficiary
Cindy Wohler
Organizer
San Diego, CA
Melissa Hernandez
Beneficiary