Support Liz Donnelly's Cancer Battle

This is one of my favorite photos. While it features my husband out in front with me popping out around the side, it is how we have gone through our life together. This is also how we have traveled through this past year together.

As many of you know, last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a bi lateral mastectomy at 54. Shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with the BRCA 2 Genetic Mutation. Unfortunately, it appears my prior oncologist did not either recognize or acknowledge the serious potential for reoccurrence and, consequently, I may not have received the care I should have.

Seven months later, I am in good care but it is clearly too far after surgery for chemotherapy to be a consideration.

But there are other things to be done. I am schedule for a salpingo-oophorectomy in June - or sooner if an opening becomes available. Also, I have been accepted into a study focused upon the connection between BRCA 2 Gene Mutation and pancreatic cancer.

The surgery should not be complicated at all (fingers crossed) but I will be out of work for about a month. Also, I am not eligible for employee leave donations. There will be co pays as well. We are totally grateful for good health insurance.

Of course, there is no compensation for participation in the study and, in fact, some of the bloodwork and imaging/scans are not covered by the study and potentially not by insurance. But I can, in this small way, give back and hopefully give to people I will never meet.

In case you are wondering, I am not at all afraid of what is happening. There is no question that this is simply the path we are placed on and are living our lives. Our house is still a mess, we still have probably too many pets, and we are trying to agree on what to do with the back yard since spring is here in full bloom.

You all know how to find me, if you have questions, please feel free to reach out. I am happy to answer/talk about most things.

So, thank you in advance - thank you for your consideration, your good thoughts, encouragement, and any financial support you may be able to give.