Support Kara’s final expenses after cancer battle

Good morning friends and family,

It’s with a heavy heart that I share this update about my brother Travis’ wife, Kara.

In June 2023 Kara had surgery to remove a patch of malignant melanoma from her back. Following this surgery, she underwent 12 months of Keytruda immunotherapy intended to contain the spread of the cancer. After completing her last round of Keytruda, doctors discovered changes in the lymph nodes in her chest. This led to scheduling follow up appointments to complete an MRI of her brain and a biopsy of the affected lymph nodes.

On Saturday, 11/16, the timeline changed to extreme urgency after Kara suffered a seizure at home and was rushed to the hospital in Truckee, CA. Her parents immediately came down to help, and Kara was admitted to the ICU. While there, doctors moved quickly, performing a biopsy on her chest, conducting a spinal tap to examine her spinal fluid, and doing an MRI of her spine.

Travis and Kara received devastating pathology results at the end of November. They confirmed what we feared: melanoma in her chest lymph nodes and spinal fluid—Leptomeningeal Cancer. This is exactly the aggressive cancer that Keytruda was intended to keep at bay.

Kara is facing an uphill battle, and the treatment plan has become significantly more aggressive. She has already undergone three spinal taps to inject chemotherapy directly into her spinal fluid, and she’s beginning another round of immunotherapy to target the melanoma in her chest. The hope is to attack the cancer in both areas at once and stop it from progressing further.

The chemo and immunotherapy treatments are really hard on Kara. Symptoms include significant disruption to her sleep, as well as debilitating headaches and nausea. Since starting treatment, she has had to skip one of the planned chemotherapy injections, and be briefly admitted back into the hospital to control the symptoms.

This news has been a crushing blow for all of us. Kara is incredibly strong and resilient, but the road ahead is grueling and uncertain. She is fighting for her life, and we are determined to do everything we can to support her.

We’re grateful to have an exceptional team of doctors fighting alongside her. Dr. Thomas Semrad in Truckee is working closely with Dr. Adil Daud, one of the top melanoma specialists in the state. Kara is receiving care at the Gene Upshaw Memorial Cancer Center, and we are confident she’s in the best possible hands.

Now, more than ever, we’re asking for your prayers, love, and unwavering support as Kara battles this aggressive cancer. Many of you have asked how you can help, and we’re so thankful for the many people who have already gone above and beyond showering Travis and Kara with love, support, and helpful gestures. Their community in Kings Beach is tight knit and incredible- thank you so much for being there and stepping up so beautifully during this challenging time. The pups, Jager & Bulleit, are particularly appreciative for your help while their Mom & Dad are navigating this difficult situation.

As you can imagine, the financial burden of this fight is enormous. Between ongoing medical treatments, travel, and the many unexpected expenses piling up, Travis and Kara are facing significant costs. If you’re able, we’re asking for donations to help with medical bills and the ancillary expenses that come with this devastating diagnosis. Every dollar, every share, and every act of kindness makes a difference and gives Kara a better chance to focus on what truly matters—her fight for survival.

Thank you for standing with Kara, Travis and our family. Your love, prayers, and generosity are incredibly appreciated.

P.S. Travis plans to post updates via this Go Fund Me as he is able. This will streamline things so he doesn’t have to spend time posting to different social media. Please check back here for additional info.