Support Elisabeth Condrone's Cancer Recovery

Help Me Heal After a Year of Fighting Cancer and Loss

Hello, my friends, colleagues, and community,

This is Elisabeth. I never imagined I would be writing something like this, asking for help. I am recovering from TNBC, and the treatments and time off have strained me physically, emotionally, and financially. Between medical bills, daily living expenses, and lost income, I am facing challenges I never imagined, and I find myself in a place where I need to reach out and humbly ask for support as I continue to heal.

As many of my friends and colleagues know, I have always prided myself on being independent, self-sufficient, and a hard worker. Throughout my life, I have worked hard to support myself, often taking on multiple jobs simultaneously to make ends meet and power through. I have never asked for financial help before, but this past year has brought unimaginable challenges, and I find myself in a place where I need to reach out and ask for support. Asking for help, especially money, has never come naturally to me. It feels vulnerable and embarrassing, but I have realized that true strength sometimes means reaching out when you can’t simply do it all yourself

This past year has been the most difficult chapter of my life. In June 2024, during my yearly mammogram, I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (stage 1), an aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of cancer. This would be my second encounter with cancer. My first occurrence was in 1990 when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease. Hodgkin's lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease, is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, a part of the body's immune system. It is characterized by the presence of abnormal Reed-Sternberg cells, which are large, malignant lymphocytes. Hodgkin's lymphoma is typically curable, especially when detected early.

My TNBC diagnosis did not start with great news. At first, I was told I would need a double mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Thankfully, after additional testing, scans, and gene testing, I received good news. We had caught it early, and a lumpectomy would be just as effective as a mastectomy, but I would still need chemotherapy and radiation.

My tumor, measuring 1.2 cm, was successfully removed in July 2024. My lymph nodes were clear, and all margins were free of malignancy. I was given the ok to start chemo. This was the greatest relief as it greatly improved the treatment outcomes for me.

Chemotherapy began in August. I underwent CARBOplatin and Taxol treatments weekly for three weeks, followed by one week off, repeating the cycle for six months. In March 2025, I started daily radiation therapy (Monday through Friday) for four weeks. Each treatment brought fatigue, side effects, and emotional weight.

During this time, my beloved dog, Covington, my constant companion and emotional anchor, had a freak accident, and a difficult decision was made to let him cross over the rainbow. He was by my side through every tear, every sleepless night, and every difficult moment. Losing him broke my heart and spirit and added another layer of grief to an already overwhelming journey. His unconditional love helped me through some of the darkest moments. Losing him left an immense void.

Adding to My Unexpected Health Journey

Now, as I continue to recover, I am preparing for another medical procedure. At the end of July, I’ll be undergoing a procedure to repair a partially paralyzed vocal cord, a condition that has developed as a result of nerve damage from a surgery I had back in 1990 to remove a tumor on my thyroid.

Over the years, this issue has slowly but steadily progressed, and it’s now affecting my daily life enough that it needs to be addressed.

A partially paralyzed vocal cord — also known as vocal cord paresis — means that one or both vocal cords are weakened or unable to move properly due to nerve damage. Since our vocal cords play a crucial role in both speaking and protecting our airway during swallowing, this condition can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• A breathy or hoarse voice

• Difficulty speaking loudly or projecting

• Shortness of breath, especially when talking

• Choking or coughing while eating or drinking

• Loss of vocal pitch

• Noisy breathing

• Needing to take frequent breaths mid-sentence

• Frequent throat clearing

• A weak or ineffective cough

• Even the loss of a gag reflex

It’s been a gradual but frustrating progression. I’m hopeful that this upcoming procedure will bring some relief and improve both my voice and overall quality of life.

If you have read this far, thank you for taking the time to hear my story.

As I work to rebuild my life, physically, emotionally, and financially, I am asking with a humble heart for your help. Any financial support, no matter the amount, will help tremendously toward covering medical bills, daily living expenses, and recovery-related costs. But just as meaningful to me are your kind words, prayers, and encouragement.

Healing takes more than medicine. It takes community, compassion, and hope. Your support, in any form, reminds me that I am not walking this path alone.

Thank you for standing with me during this time.

With love and gratitude,

Elisabeth

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And Lastly, A Big Thank You!

To my lifelong friends, my neighbors, my coworkers — your support over this past year has meant the world to me. Whether it was checking in, lending an ear, covering for me, helping with daily life, or just being there when I needed someone… I truly don’t know how I would’ve made it without you.

This journey hasn’t been easy, but having such steady, kind people in my corner has made all the difference. I’m deeply grateful — more than words can say.

Thank you for walking this road with me.