Dear Friends and Family,
As some of you may know, a close friend, Trish MacNeil was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Many of you know Trish from her work in the Andover community. Trish was a co-founder and co-owner of Union Studio Yoga which she helped build into a successful local business. For many years, she gave selflessly to help create a loving and caring environment for hundreds of students in the Merrimac Valley. Trish continues to live in Andover with her husband Ken and two children, Sophia, a freshman at MassArt and son Jameson, a Junior in high school.
Others may know Trish from her career as an architectural designer - first in the exhibit business and more recently in the residential design and build market.
We are also likely reaching others who have known Trish for much longer - possibly from her years as a waitress or high school friend.
Trish received a diagnosis of stage 3 adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in June. This was very difficult to process since she was mostly asymptomatic and had not been exposed to the typical risk factors for this type of disease. Initially, fighting this advanced cancer meant daily targeted radiation and chemotherapy once a week for 6 weeks. Treatment was followed by an esophagectomy (removal of 90% of the esophagus, reconstructed with the stomach). Luckily, Trish has had access to some of the best cancer and surgical teams at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. Her teams helped with a very strong recovery and after a couple of minor setbacks, Trish was progressing with no evidence of disease.
Unfortunately, Trish’s six-week post-surgery scan showed a suspicious growth on her liver and on November 28th, the biopsy results came back positive. On Tuesday, December 3rd, Trish started a second round of chemotherapy which is currently scheduled for the next four to six months.
Prior to receiving the news that her cancer had come back, Trish was preparing to return to work - a relatively new career in residential architectural design. Her employer continues to be extremely gracious and holds a place for her when she is ready. Trish, her family and doctors are hopeful that her current treatment and a following surgery will help her live cancer free, however she will not be able to return to work full time as she battles through the next phase of treatment.
Our outreach to you is to make you aware of a fundraising effort to help Trish and her family with near-term household expenses and medical bills as they are challenged with reduced income. For those of you who know Trish and Ken, a request like this is not something they would have agreed to without some reservation.
Trish and her family are extremely grateful for the outpouring of love and support that has already come their way. Please consider donating to help them as they navigate these challenging times.
Thank You,
Friends of Trish and Ken
As some of you may know, a close friend, Trish MacNeil was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Many of you know Trish from her work in the Andover community. Trish was a co-founder and co-owner of Union Studio Yoga which she helped build into a successful local business. For many years, she gave selflessly to help create a loving and caring environment for hundreds of students in the Merrimac Valley. Trish continues to live in Andover with her husband Ken and two children, Sophia, a freshman at MassArt and son Jameson, a Junior in high school.
Others may know Trish from her career as an architectural designer - first in the exhibit business and more recently in the residential design and build market.
We are also likely reaching others who have known Trish for much longer - possibly from her years as a waitress or high school friend.
Trish received a diagnosis of stage 3 adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in June. This was very difficult to process since she was mostly asymptomatic and had not been exposed to the typical risk factors for this type of disease. Initially, fighting this advanced cancer meant daily targeted radiation and chemotherapy once a week for 6 weeks. Treatment was followed by an esophagectomy (removal of 90% of the esophagus, reconstructed with the stomach). Luckily, Trish has had access to some of the best cancer and surgical teams at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. Her teams helped with a very strong recovery and after a couple of minor setbacks, Trish was progressing with no evidence of disease.
Unfortunately, Trish’s six-week post-surgery scan showed a suspicious growth on her liver and on November 28th, the biopsy results came back positive. On Tuesday, December 3rd, Trish started a second round of chemotherapy which is currently scheduled for the next four to six months.
Prior to receiving the news that her cancer had come back, Trish was preparing to return to work - a relatively new career in residential architectural design. Her employer continues to be extremely gracious and holds a place for her when she is ready. Trish, her family and doctors are hopeful that her current treatment and a following surgery will help her live cancer free, however she will not be able to return to work full time as she battles through the next phase of treatment.
Our outreach to you is to make you aware of a fundraising effort to help Trish and her family with near-term household expenses and medical bills as they are challenged with reduced income. For those of you who know Trish and Ken, a request like this is not something they would have agreed to without some reservation.
Trish and her family are extremely grateful for the outpouring of love and support that has already come their way. Please consider donating to help them as they navigate these challenging times.
Thank You,
Friends of Trish and Ken