Update on Nataliia Kuchma's Cancer "M&Ms"

Hello again.

What are Natalie's "M&Ms?" They are Natalie Kuchma's Breast Cancer Miracles and Misfortunes.

Anyone reading this can guess at the misfortune breast cancer represents, but it unexpectedly has offered some miracles for consideration, as well...

The #1. Misfortune is the type of breast cancer with which Natalie has been diagnosed: triple-negative. It's very aggressive and hard to completely eradicate. So where is the "Miracle?" It is this: Nataliia's cancer was found TOTALLY by accident while a physician was exploring another, minor, health question. Why is this amazing? Because this means that her tumor was caught before it had a chance to spread (and almost surely compromise her chance of survival). Instead, her tumor is small and has not metastasized as of yet - still time to get the treatment she needs to save her life.

Another Misfortune? Yes! Her medical insurance would not authorize a second opinion or a PET scan. She nonetheless went to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion, at the suggestion of several of her trusted colleagues and friends, and there they strongly recommended a PET scan.

Nataliia must pay for these basic care options (who doesn’t have a right to a second opinion?). NOTE: Natalie's insurance pays about 70% after her deductible and she pays about 30% - a lot in Mayo Clinic dollars!).

The Miracle? At Mayo, Nataliia saw Dr Roberto Leon-Ferre, a world-recognized expert on triple-negative breast cancer oncology. Along with much wisdom and related clinical studies expertise, Dr.Leon-Ferre offered alternatives to a typical cocktail of chemo infusions; an approach that promises to be highly effective, but less likely to damage her long-term health. He also strongly recommended a PET scan, before she began chemo, to ensure that the cancer had not spread. Miracle (again!): there was NO sign of this frightening, doomsday scenario. Given her early stage, Dr. Leon-Ferre said he expected that after chemo and surgery she could likely look forward to a normal life span. Compared to what we were all told and expected, this is a miracle, indeed!

And you all have been Miracles. So many of you have been so generous in financially supporting Nataliia through this nightmare. Thank you, thank you. Thus far, we have used your donations toward uncovered medical procedures and other related expenses (cold-capping, etc.). Now, we need to add Mayo Clinic bills to that list (but well worth it!).

Can you find it in your heart and your wallet to give one more time? Our goal, after making sure Nataliia lives to raise her eight-year-old daughter and to be a physician again, is to not leave her in tens of thousands of dollars of debt.

If you have questions or thoughts, I respectfully ask that you contact me or her sister, Yara via GoFundMe. We deeply appreciate your help and please, imagine yourself, your sister, daughter, best friend or mother in this dreadful situation and help if you can.

Many, many thanks.

Kathryn Engelhardt-Cronk and Yara Kalutska