Support Kelly Halpin as she beats Breast Cancer!

Since I first shared Kelly’s story, so much has changed. Unfortunately, what we all hoped would be a short 2 month battle, has become a much more difficult, complicated, and long journey to beat the cancer.

On January 18th, 2024 during a routine mammogram, a suspicious lump was found in Kelly’s left breast. A core needle biopsy was performed on February 9. Unfortunately, Kelly received a diagnosis of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

Due to the type of cancer and strong family history, Kelly made the difficult decision to have a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Surgery was scheduled for April 24, 2024. After meeting with her plastic surgeon she was told due to a number of factors she was considered high risk for skin flap failure (necrosis of the skin). The safest option for Kelly was to remove each breast separately. Her surgery date was moved back to May 15th. The surgery lasted four hours without complications. She stayed in the hospital overnight for observation and pain management.

On May 24th, 2024 Kelly had her post op follow up appointments. Her surgical incision was healing perfectly and she was already feeling nerve sensation which is a fantastic sign in the healing process. She then saw her breast surgeon to discuss the post op pathology results. Unfortunately, she was given the news that the cancer had already spread and was found in her sentinel lymph node. This news was a devastating shock to all of us. She was told she would need radiation and further testing.

On May 31st she underwent a molecular bone scan and on June 3rd she had a full body CT scan. Her bone scan thankfully was clear of any signs of malignancy. The CT was mostly clear, however they noted 3 suspicious findings on her lungs, possible nodules, probable lymph nodes.

On June 12th Kelly met with her oncologist to discuss the findings and get the results of the oncotype score. It was at this time she was told she would need chemotherapy. Her treatments will begin on June 26th. She will need 4 sessions with a 3 week rest between each session. She will receive lab work and CT scans throughout her treatment to monitor the findings on her lungs and keep an eye on her organ function.

When she finishes her chemo treatments she will need an additional 4-6 weeks rest before she begins to regain her strength and can start to ease back into normal activities. She will have to wait 1 year after completion of her treatments before she is able to finish the final stage of her left breast reconstruction. She will then repeat the surgeries on her right side.

Kelly has had a series of unfortunate and heartbreaking outcomes over the past five months since she first learned of what was happening inside her body. She still has a long, rough road ahead of her. She has been incredibly strong and will continue to fight with all that she has in her. With all that she has already lost, facing losing her hair, battling not just cancer, but debilitating depression she desperately needs our help to show her that she’s not alone,and with all of our support she can, and will, get through this.

What originally should have been 2 months off of work and just surgery has become a much more difficult, much longer fight. She will be unable to work until November at the earliest. She already has enough to worry about, finances should not have to be yet another concern. Please consider donating what you can. Please share her story. Please keep her in your prayers!