Hi, my name is Nereida.

My journey started in March of 2022. I was diagnosed with Stage IIb metastatic breast cancer. I had no family history and no genetic disposition to cancer. I had a mammogram which was clear, but felt a lump on my left breast that made me persist on an ultrasound. When I finally got the ultrasound, the technician lingered on my RIGHT breast and underarm. She got the radiologist who then told me they did not like the way it looked and needed a biopsy ASAP. My worse fears were confirmed when I got the results back. I had Triple Negative Breast cancer!! I was of course in disbelief and shocked. I immediately was frightened and scared. The next few months were a whirlwind, tests and more tests, labs, echocardiogram, surgery for my port placement, and off to chemotherapy. I had the "red devil" for the first three months, then Taxol for the other three months. The plan was for surgery and radiation. The doctors suggested a mastectomy for surgery and I decided I did not want to do that. I opted for a breast reduction, double lumpectomies of both breasts, and reconstruction. It was a very rough surgery and ordeal physically and mentally. After being told I was "cancer free," I found out my 6 lymph nodes that were removed tested positive for "active" cancer cells. I was told I would need more surgery! They decided to do a PET CT scan a few weeks after my breast surgery, only to find that the cancer had SPREAD. I went from stage II to IV metastatic cancer... It was in my bones, breast, lymph nodes, thyroid, lungs, ect. I stopped reading the report when I reviewed it. It was a horrible, terrifying feeling... I asked my oncologist how could this happen??? She replied that the chemotherapy appeared not to have worked and my lifespan would be 2 to 5 years. I also had to get a painful bone biopsy of my pubic bone and await the results, which tested negative. I was also told I needed a brain MRI.. which really terrified me.. My husband and I decided to get other opinions and went to a well known clinic and was sadly turned away, they said there is no "cure" for this... I sought out another oncologist who could help me and found one. He immediately ordered the brain MRI to confirm my metastasis also spread to my brain and brain stem and were inoperable. My options were again to go back into chemotherapy again... I had no idea for how long, I had no idea if it would work but he promised me they would be monitoring me closely with blood work to check tumor markers and repeat scans.. Here we go again, I was going to lose my hair all over again and feel sick. I have endured a lot. I endured the sudden death of my father, having Covid, my mom falling and not being able to take care of herself, ect. It has been 15 months of this and I have decided that the answers cannot just be more chemo... I am taking a leap of faith and trying a hollistic/alternative approach now and try to build up my immune system. I believe in the power of prayers, I believe the mind is a powerful thing and I have read so many stories about people healing themselves! I would love to have my own story and be a Radical Remission survivor and bring others up and help others. I have always helped others and it will be my life's mission to continue to do so. Now I am the one asking for help on my journey. My husband and I will be driving to Arizona for alternative treatment. Unfortunately, my health insurance does not cover any of my expenses but would appreciate any help to help us with our expenses. My stay will be a long one. I have a good life, love life, my family, my husband and young son. I want to be able to grow old and be a grandmother and travel with my husband on a second honeymoon some day. Although my last 2 PET CT scans have had amazing results and have shown resolvement, my brain metastasis continue to grow even while taking 2 separate types of chemotherapy. I feel this is my only hope right now as I am avoiding whole brain radiation and the terrible side effects that it will bring me. My goal is to beat the odds, and play it forward. I hope you can help me on my journey. The funds will help with the medical costs/treatments and our stay. Any donations would be appreciated!

Thank you and love to you all,

Nereida :-)