Twin mom Alicia fights breast cancer

 

This go fund me is to support the Reams family. 

 

My sister Alicia and Glen Reams are the best kind of people. They are a hard working, compassionate couple full of love and laughter who give generously of their time and energy to lift up their community. Whether you have known them for a decade or a day you most likely have a story to share of their incredible kindness and humor.

 

At the end of 2020 after a 3 year battle with infertility, Alicia and Glen were over the moon to find their first round of IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) was a success and they would be blessed with twin girls! 

 

Soon after her pregnancy began, Alicia found a lump in her right breast. A January 2021 ultrasound came back normal but the relief was short lived as the lump grew and Alicia knew something was not right. After a referral from her obstetrician Alicia had to wait 6 weeks for an appointment to undergo a biopsy. 

At 31 weeks pregnant Alicia and Glen learned she had Stage 2, triple positive breast cancer.

 

Because the tumor had grown so quickly Alicia’s medical team wanted to begin treatment immediately. Alicia and Glen were terrified for their babies and had to make the difficult decision of delivering early, undergoing chemo during pregnancy, or giving the cancer a chance to take deeper hold on Alicia’s body to give the girls the opportunity to get bigger and stronger.

 

In the end the babies knew what was best for their mama. Alicia’s water broke at 32 weeks 3 days and on May 8th Alicia and Glen welcomed their beautiful daughters Claire and Maya. The babies were born healthy but needed time to grow, learn to eat and spent 29 days in the NICU.

 

Just 20 days after her C-Section Alicia started her first round of chemotherapy. Today Alicia has completed 4 of her 6 chemotherapy treatments. Thankfully she is having an excellent response to treatment! Following the 6th round Alicia will undergo a double mastectomy. After recovering from surgery she will receive an additional 6 months of targeted therapy. 

 

The Reams family is now 3 months into their new life as twin parents and cancer warriors. It has been so hard on Alicia to take the time to heal herself and pass off some of the care of her beloved daughters. 

But as her oncologist told her 

“Put the time in now, so you can be here for your daughters later”

 

We hope those reading the Ream’s story will feel moved to donate to this gofundme. The funds will be used for past medical bills and mobile IV treatment to help with recovery for my sisters 5th round of Chemo. This will help ease the Ream's family financial burden as they raise their beautiful girls and Alicia continues to fight cancer.