I was recently diagnosed with bile duct cancer and am going through the Cholangiocarcinoma protocol for liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic. I’ll be undergoing about 4 weeks of radiation and oral chemotherapy, continuing the chemo up until I receive a liver transplant.

I’m fortunate in that I have family friends to stay with while I’m going through treatment and after treatment so housing costs are not an issue. I will also have some pay coming in thanks to WA PFML and eventually, long term disability; however, after crunching the numbers, I do not believe it will be enough. There have been many unknowns through this process for both me and my family and I’m expecting more. The timeline being the biggest unknown. Due to the nature of a liver transplant, I don’t know how long I’ll be away from home and work. After discussing with my family, I’ve decided to set up this go fund to help get us through the unknowns.

I knew Cholangiocarcinoma was a risk but never thought I’d be 26 when I’d have to face it. I’ve been so lucky in the friendships I’ve made and people I’ve met in life. I’m not great at asking for help or accepting it but I’m trying to get better. I’ve had a hard time finding the right words to say just how thankful I am for the support I’ve received from so many different people so far. I can’t say thank you enough for your continued support as I make my way through this journey. 

Rachelle