Kate needs Mayo Clinic for Survival

Hello everyone, my name is Kate Phillips. would kindly like to ask for $2 from 6000 people to help me pay for treatment I need to survive. As a show of good faith, I have already contributed $172, which I started saving at the beginning of this summer. I am in need of help from the doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and this is scheduled for next spring.

My doctors are very certain I have Carcinoid Syndrome (Please see below for details regarding CS). CS is very rare and the treatment and testing I need are not available in NW Arkansas where I currently live. Also, Mayo clinic has advanced pacemakers that are equipped to handle 100% dependency, and I will be receiving a new one.

The closest facility for my specialized treatment is Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN so the money will go toward getting to the Mayo Clinic, cover my 20% of the medical treatment, food, lodging, and $5000 goes toward the total body scan, not covered by Medicare, that is needed to find the microscopic tumors that cause CS. Also, my pacemaker has a defibulator. NW Arkansas does not have a compatible full body MRI scan, and the Genetic testing needed to find carcinoid tumors. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, has the Specialized MRI machines (pacemaker compatible), genetic testing, and advanced blood tests needed to look for trace chemicals, enzymes and hormones left by carcinoid tumors. There is also the possibility of medications that will help treat and maybe PREVENT the cancer that develops from the tumors.

Lastly, my Mother may not be able to travel with me so I will may need money to pay for someone to come and check on her daily.

Please help me by sharing this with family, friends and co-workers to help me reach my goal. I am only 47 and I take care of my mother who is only 72.

CS is caused by neuroendocrine tumors that show up in the lungs, chest area and appendix. The three most recent cancer issues, indicating I have CS are as follows:

1. A mass was removed from my right breast this year that had markers on the edge indicating I have an extremely high risk of developing breast cancer in the next 5 years. Preventative medications may increase my chances of blood clots, stroke and embolisms. The medications I take for my heart already have an increase in these risks so I cannot take the medications for breast cancer prevention. Also, I have recently been notified that there were other “markers” that could not be identified by the labs here in Arkansas.

2. In 2023, a tumor formed in my left lung. The tumor was found to be benign, but the lung tissue is now unable to expand properly causing further heart complication, pneumonia and pleurisy.

3. The first major indicator of CS happened when I had a malignant tumor in my appendix in Oct of 2020 which left cancer markers and other unknown enzymes in my blood stream. I had to go to The Cancer Treatment Center in Tulsa, OK (which is now closed) for treatment that was not available here in NW Arkansas. CTC was able to treat the cancer from my appendix tumor but the other enzymes still remain unknown. That trip was paid for by financial assistance provided by the CTC in Tulsa.

My doctors here in Arkansas and the doctors at the Mayo Clinic think all these issues listed above are strong indicators that I have neuroendocrine tumors they cannot see and are starting to rapidly increase in numbers which are causing the Carcinoid Syndrome symptoms including, the two strokes I have already had, brain damage from small strokes and cerebral infarction due to lack of blood in my brain, seizures, fibromyalgia, kidney and renal issues, congestive heart failure, low iron and potassium that is difficult to maintain, and asthma of unknown cause.

Below is a description of the issues that are preventing my care in Northwest Arkansas and information about Carcinoid Syndrome from Mayo Clinic, John’s Hopkins Medical and Harvard Medical:

The tumors that are the cause of the disruption between the nervous system and the endocrine system are called neuroendocrine tumors and are very difficult to detect. A total body scan is the only way to find the microscopic NET’s causing my condition. There are other conditions that have caused my poor health other than the possible CS. I will be able to receive treatment for these as well at Mayo Clinic. I got my first Pacemaker on May 15, 2014, 2 lead only. My second one was June 05, 2019, and this one has 3 leads with a Defibulator. I have a pacemaker because my heart cannot beat on its own. I am 100% dependent on my pacemaker and the defibulator is there to shock my heart if it stops. The time on the battery is kept track by how many “months and years” are left. Usually, a pacemaker is used 50-60% of the time and will last 10 years. Since I am 100% dependent, I have less than two years of “time” left on my pacemaker that should have lasted until 2029.

Information from the Mayo Clinic about Carcinoid:

“Carcinoid syndrome occurs when a rare and malignant cancerous tumor called a “neuroendocrine or carcinoid tumor” secretes certain chemicals, enzymes and hormones into your bloodstream. This type of tumor disrupts interaction between the nervous and endocrine systems, and the cells that release hormones in response to nervous system stimulation. These occur most often in the gastrointestinal tract, the lungs and surrounding areas. These tumors are tiny and even microscopic but are very toxic. Carcinoid syndrome typically occurs in people who have carcinoid tumors that are advanced. Treatment for carcinoid syndrome usually involves treating the cancerous tumors, if they can be found. However, most carcinoid tumors do not cause carcinoid syndrome until they're advanced, a cure may not be possible but managing Carcinoid syndrome is possible.”