Help Lauren Heal

Hi, my name is Lash Himes and I’m fundraising for Lauren Volkes. Lauren is a fabulous mom to three adorable children, a photographer, a Phish Chick and a cancer warrior and survivor. Her original diagnosis in January 2022 of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue resulted in one surgery. Then she was dealt a second blow when she was diagnosed with a recurrence in March. This time, major surgery was required to remove a large portion of her tongue (partial glossectomy) with lymph node removal and major reconstruction. After a couple of weeks to recover, Lauren started an extremely intense course of chemotherapy and radiation to make sure that any remaining cancer cells were killed, hopefully for good this time.

On a positive note, this is Lauren’s last week of both chemo and radiation! Many months of treatment (33 radiations; 6 chemos; 3 surgeries) has, unfortunately, left her physically, emotionally and financially depleted. She could use help from our community to make her transition into wellness one that is smooth and eases the pain that she feels each minute of the day. It’s unfortunate that our society has to rely on the generosity of it’s community members in our moments of need, but that is the system that we are dealing with.

Lauren wrote “After all of the help my community has already given it’s hard to ask for more help, but I desperately need to make it through August and September with groceries, bills, back to school clothes and kids activities paid for. I unfortunately still am not strong enough to take on jobs but am hoping that in October I can come back strong and at least entertain a few fall photo session spots. Radiation and chemo together is the hardest treatment regimen that doctors can put you on to treat this type of cancer. While I’m in my last active week of treatment it is expected that because radiation is cumulative my worst point will be around the middle to end of August. Radiation has destroyed my salivary glands, and created intense mucusitis that makes me vomit, given incredibly painful mouth sores all over my mouth that are almost completely preventing me from eating at this point, zero taste buds and severe fatigue, and pain to my mouth and neck. Chemo has left me with neuropathy in my hands and feet, severe nausea, hearing loss to my left ear, resistance where I feel I’m waking through 20lb of water every time I move and vision issues :(. I hate that my needs have come to this point, but I promise every single ounce of kindness will be passed on as soon as I am well. The goal is to keep life as normal as possible for the kids until I can get back on my feet. I can not wait to get back in the saddle doing what I love, taking photos of all of my beautiful clients.”

Thank you to each and every one of you. Every penny, every share and every ounce of love counts. Thank you again, and I hope you have a lovely day.