Wasserman Family

Hi, my name is Edee and I'm raising funds for my best friend, Katie Wasserman, and her family, as they navigate a new diagnosis of breast cancer.

Katie found a lump in her left breast and proceeded with getting an ultrasound, mammogram, and biopsy done. On July 24th, she was diagnosed with Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (breast cancer). The tumor is fast growing (doubled in size in 10 days) and aggressive (already spreading outside the area it started in). Fun fact: the tumor is star-shaped and has lovingly been named, Stella, which means star. We are working on getting Stella out of her body. Not so fun fact: The triple-negative breast cancer means it’s harder to treat. It takes longer to find the right “recipe” of medication that will eliminate it. Throughout all of this, I have only heard Katie request one thing and that is for the right recipe to be working sooner than later. Any prayers offered for this would be really appreciated.

She got a port surgically placed and has had two rounds of chemotherapy. Her first week of chemo resulted in some not-so-lovely side effects which caused her to feel like junk. In the second round of chemo, she had a reaction, which was responded to very efficiently by the nurses giving her care, but did require extra meds and attention. The future is not clear how this will all go. What we do know is she will get chemo for 6 months (4 different chemo drugs) - every week for 3 months, then she will get it every 3 weeks for 3 more months. In addition to chemo, she will also get immunotherapy and bone marrow stimulating meds before the next steps (breast surgery) can be considered. She has been told one of the chemo medications will make her lose her hair and this will likely happen soon. She’s already been to the wig shop to try out some new hairdos. It's been an unexpected whirlwind and the path we are learning, can be long.

Katie is the sunshine of a lot of people’s lives! She is there for EVERYONE. She is an innate helper. She lightens loads and brightens spirits of all she is around. She has the most optimistic view on life and has such a can-do, let’s do it together attitude. She is so understanding and appreciative of differences in others. She is the most devoted mother and wife (It has taken me years to get her to have a night away to herself, because that's how committed of a Mom she is). She is trying to continue to be this same person and give in these same ways while going through her treatments, but it’s a lot.

I don’t believe the cancer will ever take away that optimism and fun spirit of hers, but there are going to be (and already have been) bumps along the road. This is going to be a humbling and challenging year for their family as they juggle this new diagnosis along with trying to keep life “rolling” for their 4 children – ages 12, 11, 9 & 7.

People have asked me how they can help. Financial contributions are really the most impactful way to ease their burden at this time. In addition to GoFundMe, donations can also be made directly to Ben or Katie Wasserman at Huntington Bank, or to Katie’s Venmo: @Katie-Wasserman-2

Thank you very much for any prayers and/or contributions towards the Wasserman Family. I know you’re support means a lot to them.

If you would like updates on Katie’s progress, she welcomes anyone to follow her Instagram account: bottled_lightning-41 or her blog: mysilverlining41.wordpress.com.