CANCER TREATMENT FOR MY SISTER

My name is Angela Cosentino – My sister, Sophia Cosentino was diagnosed with breast cancer on May 5th.  We know that her diagnosis is HER2 positive and above the 10% mark for Ki-67 (not slow moving).   We don’t know all of the genetic typing yet, or if this has spread to her lymph nodes and will update you as we get that information.

 

We are still learning of all the next steps as she meets with her Oncologist, doctors, and support team.  We know that Sophia will be undergoing chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, and will be unable to work during her procedures.  While some costs are covered by  health insurance, we are learning that the average of OUT-OF-POCKET costs for treatment are thousands of dollars per month, not including that just ONE cancer drug out-of-pocket averages $10K - $30K per MONTH. 

 

Sophia grew up in Santa Barbara, and has been serving her community as a nurse at Cottage Hospital for 25 years. She starting as a labor and delivery nurse, bringing countless little ones into the world.  She then went on to care for patients at in Cottage’s out-patient surgery, caring for everyone from pre and post surgical patients to pediatric cancer patients.  Most recently taking on a new position at PreAdmit for main OR.

 

Sophia has two daughters, Evelyn and Clara, who will be graduating from San Marcos High School this year.  Sophia’s husband, Paul Spriggs just 6 months ago opened Zio and Sweet, Italian Desserts-  in downtown Paseo Nuevo.

 

We are reaching out to the community to ask for support for Sophia and her family as she faces these challenges.

Please contribute if you can; no amount is too small (or too large!) of course.  We also hope you’ll share this page with others to spread the word. 

And please remember to do your cancer checks (breast, colon, etc!).  Early detection can make a huge difference :)