Tina Fights Cancer & For A Family
Donation protected
Cancer has taken Tina’s right eye and both of her breasts, but it does not have to take away her hope of one day being a mom. Tina & Donnie’s infertility story starts with cancer, together lets help them protect their dream of being parents.
The Woman We Love
Anyone who has the privilege of meeting Tina, knows what a bright light she is in this world. She is positive, giving, and a cheerleader for everyone in her life. Tina is brave, adventurous, and welcomes everyone she encounters. Right now, this amazing woman urgently needs to be on the receiving end of the same support she has always offered others.
The Journey So Far
On February 8th, 2018 Tina found a lump on her left breast, and 14 days later, on February 21st, she was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. During these two weeks, it was determined that she also had a mass the size of a tennis ball in her uterus.
While the cancer diagnosis was terrifying for Tina and her family, the most heart breaking news came on February 26th when Tina and her husband learned that due to the type of cancer, she would not be able to have children. This news was harder to comprehend than the diagnosis itself, and was a spear to their hearts. Donnie and Tina have been married for almost two years, and started trying to get pregnant a year ago. No woman should have the option of having children ripped away because she chose to fight for her own life. This is especially true for Tina, a woman in her 30’s who wants nothing more than to have a family of her own.
The Treatment Plan
Due to the tumor grade having the highest rating (most aggressive), an Oncotype score of 51 (this means the breast cancer has a 51% chance of returning), her medical history of bilateral Retinoblastoma (she beat cancer as a child too), Tina has begun the most aggressive treatment plan available. Tina’s treatment plan includes a bilateral mastectomy, a horrendous chemo cocktail, and estrogen blockers for the rest of her life.
Between March 6th and April 19th, Tina had surgery to remove the mass from her uterus, a bilateral mastectomy, a surgery to harvest her eggs, and an additional surgery to install the Mediport for her chemotherapy.
On April 26th Tina started chemotherapy. These treatments will be every other week, continuing into August. Donnie is currently out of work, which has been a blessing in disguise for practical reasons (he is an excellent caregiver and chauffeur to Tina’s nonstop appointments), but it makes the financial pressure that much greater. Although Tina is working as she is able, she has been battling infections and the chemo takes quite a bit out of her. Her doctor has advised on multiple occasions that she needs to reduce her stress to lower the risk of these secondary infections.
How YOU Can Help
As of today, the out of pocket medical expenses have already exceeded $16,500. Down the road, Tina and Donnie will need to come up with tens of thousands more to cover the cost of surrogacy and in vitro fertilization.
Urgent financial support is needed to assist with the over $16K in medical bills that Tina is responsible for currently. Our hope is that she can focus all of her energy on fighting this disease and healing. Please give what you can. No amount is too small. Also, please help us share Tina’s story with others (this is how these things work :) ), and keep her in your prayers.
The Woman We Love
Anyone who has the privilege of meeting Tina, knows what a bright light she is in this world. She is positive, giving, and a cheerleader for everyone in her life. Tina is brave, adventurous, and welcomes everyone she encounters. Right now, this amazing woman urgently needs to be on the receiving end of the same support she has always offered others.
The Journey So Far
On February 8th, 2018 Tina found a lump on her left breast, and 14 days later, on February 21st, she was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. During these two weeks, it was determined that she also had a mass the size of a tennis ball in her uterus.
While the cancer diagnosis was terrifying for Tina and her family, the most heart breaking news came on February 26th when Tina and her husband learned that due to the type of cancer, she would not be able to have children. This news was harder to comprehend than the diagnosis itself, and was a spear to their hearts. Donnie and Tina have been married for almost two years, and started trying to get pregnant a year ago. No woman should have the option of having children ripped away because she chose to fight for her own life. This is especially true for Tina, a woman in her 30’s who wants nothing more than to have a family of her own.
The Treatment Plan
Due to the tumor grade having the highest rating (most aggressive), an Oncotype score of 51 (this means the breast cancer has a 51% chance of returning), her medical history of bilateral Retinoblastoma (she beat cancer as a child too), Tina has begun the most aggressive treatment plan available. Tina’s treatment plan includes a bilateral mastectomy, a horrendous chemo cocktail, and estrogen blockers for the rest of her life.
Between March 6th and April 19th, Tina had surgery to remove the mass from her uterus, a bilateral mastectomy, a surgery to harvest her eggs, and an additional surgery to install the Mediport for her chemotherapy.
On April 26th Tina started chemotherapy. These treatments will be every other week, continuing into August. Donnie is currently out of work, which has been a blessing in disguise for practical reasons (he is an excellent caregiver and chauffeur to Tina’s nonstop appointments), but it makes the financial pressure that much greater. Although Tina is working as she is able, she has been battling infections and the chemo takes quite a bit out of her. Her doctor has advised on multiple occasions that she needs to reduce her stress to lower the risk of these secondary infections.
How YOU Can Help
As of today, the out of pocket medical expenses have already exceeded $16,500. Down the road, Tina and Donnie will need to come up with tens of thousands more to cover the cost of surrogacy and in vitro fertilization.
Urgent financial support is needed to assist with the over $16K in medical bills that Tina is responsible for currently. Our hope is that she can focus all of her energy on fighting this disease and healing. Please give what you can. No amount is too small. Also, please help us share Tina’s story with others (this is how these things work :) ), and keep her in your prayers.
Organizer and beneficiary
Rachelle Grace
Organizer
Vancouver, WA
Tina Sixberry
Beneficiary
