Support for Mom's Cancer Battle & Family Trip

In November of 2023 I was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) which is breast cancer that had spread to my liver, bones, and brain. Since then I have done IV chemo, HER2 targeted treatments, bone strengtheners, and a gamma knife brain surgery. I am currently taking oral chemo pills at home as well as a HER2 targeting oral drug in addition to infusions of Herceptin every three weeks.

Every 3 months I have scans of my entire body as well as brain. All was well until my brain MRI in December 2024. It showed progression of the brain tumors which we will now be treating with whole brain radiation (WBR). I had previously had some progression in the brain but we were able to stop it for a glorious 8 months by switching to the oral drugs. Now we have reached the point of needing WBR to treat all the little jerk tumors and ones that may be too small to show up on the scans. Hopefully I will start 2025 with a clean brain!

We are starting this fundraiser to help with costs associated with traveling for either second opinions or making memories with our children. While I do believe WBR to be the right treatment for me right now I do want to talk to breast cancer centers outside of Illinois to get their take on what my next step should be. I always want to stay one step ahead of this disease.

I have been given a Legacy of Hope retreat to Orlando with my family this coming March. We are responsible for getting ourselves there and then everything will be provided for us. The cost of traveling with 4 people is no small cost and we would appreciate any help you're willing to provide. The gifted trip is specifically to Universal but we are hoping to stay an extra day or two and also take the kids to Magic Kingdom.

When my saga through MBC is over any remaining funds will be to help my family with whatever costs they need.

Thank You