Sara Midkiff's Cancer Story

My daughter, Sara Midkiff, is 25 years old and was diagnosed with stage III Melanoma this past year, just a few months ago. She underwent surgery to remove the cancer and discovered it was in two of her lymph nodes, which were also removed. She is now getting treatments biweekly, at St. Bernards Cancer Center in Jonesboro Arkansas. She recently developed a blood clot in her neck and is having complications. 

An explanation of stage III melanoma and it's treatment is as follows, according to the American Cancer Society:

Treating stage III melanoma

These cancers have already reached the lymph nodes when the melanoma is first diagnosed. Surgical treatment for stage III melanoma usually requires wide excision of the primary tumor as in earlier stages, along with lymph node dissection. After surgery, (additional) adjuvant treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor or with targeted therapy drugs. If melanoma tumors are found in nearby lymph vessels in or just under the skin (known as in-transit tumors). For melanomas on an arm or leg, treatments might include targeted therapy (for melanomas with a BRAF or C-KIT gene change), immunotherapy, or chemotherapy.

Sara works at Butterball and has been working up until she developed a blood clot in her artery behind her ear. It is believed that the blood clot formed due to having a port in her chest. The clot busters are not working and she is being told that they can't do much for it but to wait and see. She is taking blood thinners and is in a lot of pain with no solutions to fix the problem.

Because of this, she has been unable to work and will likely not be able to return until the Spring. Short term disability unfortunately does not provide full pay.  Some of her medical expenses are not covered and with the everyday necessities of life, money is getting tighter and tighter.  

Sara is a local musician and plays the guitar and writes songs. She works at Butterball and is married to Brittney Midkiff. They are raising two little boys (my grandbabies)together. Brittney works very hard and doesn't like to ask for help. That's why I am here asking. They need help. They are having trouble finding childcare as well as making ends meet. Every little bit helps.

Now, it's time that we send back some of that love and support to Sara. Anything you can donate will be truly appreciated. Sara is my baby bird. She needs a little help to get her through this. Please help her if you can. Anything we can do to help and show Sara some support so she can focus on beating this cancer instead of worrying about how she's going to eat next week. Please spread the word.

All donations will go directly to Sara Midkiff

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Tracy Midkiff, Sara's Mom

#cancersucks
# melanoma #cancer #skincancer  #melanomaawareness