Sharon's Warriors Against Cancer
Donation protected
What's going on?
Most of you probably know my mom, Sharon, but if you don't, that's her in the middle of the header photo. She is one of the most giving, honest, and caring human beings I know.
It came as a shock to our family when she was diagnosed with lung cancer in early January 2020 after struggling for several months with what we thought was a severe cold or, at worst, pneumonia. She doesn't smoke or hang out in asbestos-filled buildings, so she doesn't fit the stereotypical image of a lung cancer patient, but life likes to hand out the occasional brutal surprise. The official diagnosis we currently have is Stage IV non-small cell adenocarcinoma, which is confirmed to have spread to both lungs and five lymph nodes in her neck, and may possibly be in her brain as well. She has also been suffering from complications of the cancer, including multiple blood clots in her lungs and limbs and fluid build-up in her lungs.
How are we treating this?
The way forward is still unclear. Because the cancer has metastasized and is in some of her body fluids, surgery and radiation treatment are off the table. In the time since her diagnosis, it involved multiple weeks worth of hospital stays, a system for keeping her oxygenated at home, two CT scans, a PET scan, a dozen x-rays, an $8,000 test for biomarkers that is notorious for not being eligible for insurance coverage, and a round of chemotherapy. The treatment that the doctors are most optimistic about is a custom-made drug tailored to her cancer genotype. We are hoping to explore other options for combating a cancer that is moving much faster than her doctors initially expected.
We will keep this list updated as we learn more.
What can you do?
Sharon has a wonderful community of supporters--many of you have reached out asking what you can do, and as we know ourselves, the worst possible feeling is doing nothing. There are three main ways you can help us.
ONE: Costs are piling up quickly for our family. If you are able to contribute financially, we are asking for help with the following (updates with treatment list):
$8,000 - the biomarker test, which helps her doctors figure out which treatments will be most effective
$11,000 - my parents' annual out-of-pocket maximum payment for things insurance "covers," which includes most of the radiology work, hospital charges, standard drug costs, et cetera
TWO: If you are local and able to help, please sign up here (you can also use this to get on an email list for updates).
THREE: Reminders of a community that cares about her give Sharon the strength to keep fighting. If you pray, pray for her to anyone who might be listening, and we will try to include some specific prayer requests in our update emails. If you prefer to think good thoughts/send positive vibes, that works, too. If you want to send a small item, we recommend a rabbit figurine or stuffed animal. Colorful postcards or other pictures that brighten up a hospital room are also appreciated. We ask you refrain from sending balloons (not good for the environment) or live flowers (require care and can contain lung-irritating pollens and dusts).
Most of you probably know my mom, Sharon, but if you don't, that's her in the middle of the header photo. She is one of the most giving, honest, and caring human beings I know.
It came as a shock to our family when she was diagnosed with lung cancer in early January 2020 after struggling for several months with what we thought was a severe cold or, at worst, pneumonia. She doesn't smoke or hang out in asbestos-filled buildings, so she doesn't fit the stereotypical image of a lung cancer patient, but life likes to hand out the occasional brutal surprise. The official diagnosis we currently have is Stage IV non-small cell adenocarcinoma, which is confirmed to have spread to both lungs and five lymph nodes in her neck, and may possibly be in her brain as well. She has also been suffering from complications of the cancer, including multiple blood clots in her lungs and limbs and fluid build-up in her lungs.
How are we treating this?
The way forward is still unclear. Because the cancer has metastasized and is in some of her body fluids, surgery and radiation treatment are off the table. In the time since her diagnosis, it involved multiple weeks worth of hospital stays, a system for keeping her oxygenated at home, two CT scans, a PET scan, a dozen x-rays, an $8,000 test for biomarkers that is notorious for not being eligible for insurance coverage, and a round of chemotherapy. The treatment that the doctors are most optimistic about is a custom-made drug tailored to her cancer genotype. We are hoping to explore other options for combating a cancer that is moving much faster than her doctors initially expected.
We will keep this list updated as we learn more.
What can you do?
Sharon has a wonderful community of supporters--many of you have reached out asking what you can do, and as we know ourselves, the worst possible feeling is doing nothing. There are three main ways you can help us.
ONE: Costs are piling up quickly for our family. If you are able to contribute financially, we are asking for help with the following (updates with treatment list):
$8,000 - the biomarker test, which helps her doctors figure out which treatments will be most effective
$11,000 - my parents' annual out-of-pocket maximum payment for things insurance "covers," which includes most of the radiology work, hospital charges, standard drug costs, et cetera
TWO: If you are local and able to help, please sign up here (you can also use this to get on an email list for updates).
THREE: Reminders of a community that cares about her give Sharon the strength to keep fighting. If you pray, pray for her to anyone who might be listening, and we will try to include some specific prayer requests in our update emails. If you prefer to think good thoughts/send positive vibes, that works, too. If you want to send a small item, we recommend a rabbit figurine or stuffed animal. Colorful postcards or other pictures that brighten up a hospital room are also appreciated. We ask you refrain from sending balloons (not good for the environment) or live flowers (require care and can contain lung-irritating pollens and dusts).
Organizer and beneficiary
Julie Herman
Organizer
Livermore, CA
Sharon Herman
Beneficiary