Vickie Pieper Medical Expenses

( Dancing with The Solaris Dance Theatre about 18 months ago.)

BRIEF INTRO: Vickie Pieper has lived in Las Vegas for close to 50 years. She's has two adult chilren and one grandson.  She had her own Real Estate Company, World Class Ball Room Dancer, Golf Champion, Jazz Singer ( With a Vloice of An Angel), Documentary Film Maker, and a life long student at UNLV and of Spiritual Studies.  My name is Robby LeBlanc and I am the one writing this, also her main caregiver and have been her significant other since 1999. She's my honey.
( Having FUN with energy and ENTHUSIASM on Halloween in 2015)


In February 2014, I brought my honey Vickie Pieper to quickcare in Las Vegas for a possible concussion. She bumped her head on a corner of a shelf while cleaning. Within 60 seconds of seeing the DR at quickcare, he said to go to the emergency room immediately. We drove to Sunrise Hospital where I carried Vickie into the emergency room for a severe concussion. ( Vickie dancing in a show last year)

On the drive to the emergency room, Vickie shared with me she has been having some chest pain the past few days.Sunrise Hospital admitted her immediately and took her in the back for tests. About an hour later, a the doctor came back and said  "she (Vickie) has Lung Cancer". I said "you must have the wrong person, i brought her in for a head injury". He said, I've been doing this a long time. When more test are done, you/ll find she has lung cancer in addition to a concussion.
( Vickies gets treatment Tuesday and Fridays at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Nevada. I usually bring my music equipment and play for the entire group for about an hour and a half.  Between 15-50 people are being treated at the same time. )

They took her to the oncology ward. That night while talking and sitting in front of her. Vickie suddently said, "I'm going to pass out! I'm going to pass out!" With that, she fell limp and I yelled to nurses, they came running. Turns out her heart stopped! I will never forget the look on Vickie's face when her heart stopped. Three days later she had to have an emeregency pacemaker implanted. 
( Vickie, far left, with The Solaris Dance Theatre)

It was the MMA Cutman, Jacob " Stitch" Duran that said we need to go to the hospital.  We went to the hospital for a possible concussion to also discover she had vertigo, lung cancer and heart problem.  

The cancer they discovered was treated with radiation. Within 6 months of treatment we were told it's gone.

Fast forward to late August 2016, Vickie started feeling some pain in her ribs and hip. Her primary care doctor suggested doing a petscan and compare it to the results from 2014. 

Early September 2016, the results came back. The doctor (Dr Obarra) said Vickie, " your previous cancer has grown back and spread to your ribs, hip, lungs and liver. It's called, Neuroendocrine Carcinoma." 

Neuroendocrine Carcinoma is a rare type of cancer. From what we’ve discovered, less than 2% of the population gets this form of cancer.

There are 3 main types of this cancer: Carcinoid, Pancreatic and Lung.  This is also known as the Steve Jobs cancer, the late APPLE founder. He had Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Vickie has the Lung Neuroendocrine Tumors, also known as NET. (Painful)

Vickie didn't want to use chemo as it would be to hard on her body. so we have been using study medications that our doctor has recommended which are VERY EXPENSIVE, between $2,000 - $3500 per treatment once a month. Plus hydration 2x aweek.  

We have been doing these treatments since October/November. In December I started donating my time at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Nevada by playing my guitar for all the patients. I play on most days Vickie has treatments, which is Tuesday and Friday.  ( Here I am, playing my guitar, siting next to Vickie as she gets treatment. )

Then, the last week in January Vickie got SHINGLES and she still is not recovered yet. Shingles is a EXTREMELY PAINFUL thing.  She can't comfortably to wear a shirt because it's to painful. Sleep is a challenge because everytime she moves she's in pain. The pain medication has not worked. Because she has trouble sleeping, she is ALWAY tired. 

Vickies 4 month check up (last week) showed that the cancer has spread a bit.  It's time to change gears and add some additional protcols, and they all cost money.  

Thankfully we have Vickies two adult children that are helping out, and I am the main caregiver with her every day.  

ABOUT ROBBY LEBLANC: I am a World Class Guitarist, sports photographer and a  part-time geek at APPLE. This past month I took a medical leave of absence APPLE so I could focus is taking care of my honey. 

WHAT WE WILL DO WITH THE FUNDS:
1. Professional Foot Massage 2-3x a week.
2. Prepared Health Specific Meals 5 days a week.
3. Hyperbaric Chamber Treatments.
4. Home Hydration 3 times a week.
5. Home Physical Therapy.
6. Travel to TWO Neuroendocrine SPECIALTY Facilities. In Arizona and Denver Colorado.
7. Some Household Expenses. 

If we can relieve some of the physical pain,  financial stress, change up her nutritonal meal plans, get her moving with a physical therapist and getting her to rest consistently, we believe we have a great chance for recovery. 

Her insurance covers some expenses and we are also getting some funding to cover most of the expenses for the medication thru grants. But its not covereing everything.  Recovering from cancer cost a lot of money.

Help us bring back Vick’s energy and health so we can see her sing and dance with The Solaris Dance Theatre once again. We believe as long as one is breathing, our body is able to overcome anything,  ANYTHING! Cancer does not have to be a death sentence! ( Singing with The Solaris Dance Theatre last year)


We are both Spiritual Warriors and very optimistic we will overcome this health challenge. That doesn’t mean it won’t be difficult, painful or exhausting. It means we are doing everything we can to overcome.

WHAT I (Robby) CAN OFFER DONORS: 
I am a World Class Guitarist. 
For every $250 donation or more I will play any 1-3 hour music gig in Las Vegas. I will play out of town if you pay all expenses.  

Thank you for taking the time reading our page. All contributions directly into Vickie Pieper's bank account.  

ALL DONTAIONS small to large are VERY APPRECIATED!
Thank You in Advance for your consideration.

Love
Vickie and Robby