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"We don't know how strong we are until being strong is the only choice we have."
In October my family received the heartbreaking news that my non-smoker mom, Renee Brose, was diagnosed with inoperable Stage 3B Non-Small Cell ROS1 Positive Lung Cancer. Various tests and scans confirm that the cancer has spread from Renee's lungs to her lymph nodes within the upper chest as well as lymph nodes near the collar bone, neck, and armpit. Fortunately, there is no sign of cancer on her major organs or brain. A rare ROS1 gene mutation (found in 1-2% of lung cancer patients) was identified meaning Renee will receive targeted treatment. On the down side, she still has to fight cancer. Not only is it a physical and mental battle, but it's a financial one as well. Lung cancer is still one of the most expensive cancers to treat. Even with good health insurance, treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy come with financial concern and unexpected costs. Our family would like to be financially prepared for medical expenses to help us focus on increasing and maintaining Renee's quality of life while fighting the war against lung cancer.
Please donate today to help Renee!
BACKGROUND
Renee, remarried for 23 years, mother of two and grandmother of one, worked in sales and marketing for years and decided to change careers and work with adults with disabilities. As a program coordinator in charge of 20 staff members and 60 participants, her goal is to empower persons with developmental disabilities to achieve greater self-sufficiency and lead richer lives. In mid-September Renee felt two bumps on her collar bone and thought they might go away. They didn't. In early-October she went in for a biopsy and received the news that she had lung cancer which had spread to her lymph nodes. Being a non-smoker, the news was a complete shock to us all. Even though there is a long road ahead, Renee is filled with great optimism and strength and is supported by many during this time.
DIAGNOSIS: SCANS AND TESTS
Renee had a biopsy, blood work, PET scan, MRI scan, genomic test, confirmatory FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) test, and EKG done before starting treatment.
TREATMENT
Renee will be on a ROS1 targeted treatment called Xalkori (crizotinib), a chemotherapy pill.
CURRENT CONDITION
Renee is fortunately healthy enough to walk, breathe, and function without too much pain. She has made the decision to continue going to work when she can and live the life she wants to live while being treated.
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” -Oscar Wilde.
LUNG CANCER FACTS
-Lung cancer kills more people than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined.
-Lung cancer receives the least amount of federal research funding. 6% of federal research dollars spent on cancer research are spent on lung cancer.
-641 people will be diagnosed each day.
-27 people will be diagnosed each hour.
-Every 2 ½ minutes someone in the U.S. is told that he or she has lung cancer.
-Smoking isn’t the only cause of lung cancer. Other known causes include exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, radon, and asbestos.
-Major prospective studies support the relationship between particle pollution and lung cancer.
Please donate today! Thank you for all the love, support, and donations!
In October my family received the heartbreaking news that my non-smoker mom, Renee Brose, was diagnosed with inoperable Stage 3B Non-Small Cell ROS1 Positive Lung Cancer. Various tests and scans confirm that the cancer has spread from Renee's lungs to her lymph nodes within the upper chest as well as lymph nodes near the collar bone, neck, and armpit. Fortunately, there is no sign of cancer on her major organs or brain. A rare ROS1 gene mutation (found in 1-2% of lung cancer patients) was identified meaning Renee will receive targeted treatment. On the down side, she still has to fight cancer. Not only is it a physical and mental battle, but it's a financial one as well. Lung cancer is still one of the most expensive cancers to treat. Even with good health insurance, treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy come with financial concern and unexpected costs. Our family would like to be financially prepared for medical expenses to help us focus on increasing and maintaining Renee's quality of life while fighting the war against lung cancer.
Please donate today to help Renee!
BACKGROUND
Renee, remarried for 23 years, mother of two and grandmother of one, worked in sales and marketing for years and decided to change careers and work with adults with disabilities. As a program coordinator in charge of 20 staff members and 60 participants, her goal is to empower persons with developmental disabilities to achieve greater self-sufficiency and lead richer lives. In mid-September Renee felt two bumps on her collar bone and thought they might go away. They didn't. In early-October she went in for a biopsy and received the news that she had lung cancer which had spread to her lymph nodes. Being a non-smoker, the news was a complete shock to us all. Even though there is a long road ahead, Renee is filled with great optimism and strength and is supported by many during this time.
DIAGNOSIS: SCANS AND TESTS
Renee had a biopsy, blood work, PET scan, MRI scan, genomic test, confirmatory FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) test, and EKG done before starting treatment.
TREATMENT
Renee will be on a ROS1 targeted treatment called Xalkori (crizotinib), a chemotherapy pill.
CURRENT CONDITION
Renee is fortunately healthy enough to walk, breathe, and function without too much pain. She has made the decision to continue going to work when she can and live the life she wants to live while being treated.
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” -Oscar Wilde.
LUNG CANCER FACTS
-Lung cancer kills more people than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined.
-Lung cancer receives the least amount of federal research funding. 6% of federal research dollars spent on cancer research are spent on lung cancer.
-641 people will be diagnosed each day.
-27 people will be diagnosed each hour.
-Every 2 ½ minutes someone in the U.S. is told that he or she has lung cancer.
-Smoking isn’t the only cause of lung cancer. Other known causes include exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, radon, and asbestos.
-Major prospective studies support the relationship between particle pollution and lung cancer.
Please donate today! Thank you for all the love, support, and donations!