The Milone Family

At 20 weeks pregnant, Kristen and Matt noticed a lump in her left breast which they thought seemed unusual and mentioned at their 20 week prenatal visit. Likely just a pregnancy change, but to be safe she was sent for an ultrasound and upon results of the ultrasound, a biopsy was also done. Turns out it was anything but usual. Within 24 hours, they received the news that she had breast cancer – invasive ductal carcinoma with lymph node involvement.  The following Monday, they met with the head of the breast clinic at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  Given the pregnancy and the surging hormones, acting quickly was imperative.  Kristen underwent extensive scans and testing to determine the extent of the cancer – brain MRI, chest CT, liver MRI, bone MRI, mammograms, and ultrasounds.  Thankfully, the cancer had not spread to any other areas outside the lymph nodes.  It was also determined that Kristen’s cancer was triple negative breast cancer – meaning it can’t be treated with immunotherapies as it does not respond to any of three specific hormones - the most commonly diagnosed in pregnancy. However, it could be treated with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. 

Kristen began chemotherapy at 22 weeks pregnant as it is approved during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.  She underwent 4 treatments of Adriamycin (aka the red devil due to its severe side effects)/Cytoxan followed by 3 treatments of Taxol, known for causing neuropathy and bone pain.  During this process, she also saw a perinatologist (high risk OB) at Oshei Children’s Hospital in order to monitor the development of the baby.  Treatment was suspended at 34 ½ weeks in order to allow her and the baby’s blood counts to return to a safe level prior to delivery. 

On July 6th, Kristen was seen for a routine echocardiogram to ensure that everything was okay with her heart prior to delivery.  She left the appointment and two hours later received a call that she needed to get to the Buffalo General emergency room immediately as her cardiologist feared she had an infection in her heart.  She was admitted into the hospital after an exhausting ER visit for further testing the next morning.  That next morning, she had a repeat echocardiogram where it was determined that she had a blood clot in her heart.  She was immediately placed on a heparin drip and it was decided that she needed to have a C-section as it was potentially too dangerous for her to have a vaginal birth. 

On Monday, July 9th, Kristen was transferred to Children’s Hospital where she underwent a C-section.  At 1:54pm, Kristen and Matt welcomed a beautiful, healthy baby boy, Everett Matthew, weighing 7lbs12oz and measuring 19.75inches long.  Due to the blood clot and further testing needed, she ended up having to stay hospitalized for an additional week and wasn’t able to be discharged until July 17th.  Kristen now has to do daily injections of blood thinner in order to manage the blood clot in her heart. 

Two weeks post C-section and with a newborn baby at home, Kristen had to undergo her 4th Taxol chemotherapy to complete that portion of the treatment.  She will also undergo surgery for the breast cancer in late August.  Following that, she will undergo daily radiation downtown at Roswell for 4-6 weeks. 

As you can imagine, Kristen and Matt are overwhelmed with medical bills as they move forward with treatments.  Please consider donating to the Milone Family to help offset some of the ongoing medical bills.  Any donation amount is very much appreciated!