My Last Hope - Stage 4 Colon Cancer
Donation protected
Since fall of 1997 I have been dealing with cancer, one type or another. My first diagnosis was Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, which is a rare incurable type of skin cancer. When told of my diagnosis I cried. The doctor told me that I shouldn't cry, because this was not the bad kind of cancer. Naturally, any cancer is a bad cancer as far as I was concerned.
My second bout came in December 2000 when I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the ripe old age of forty-five. I had two surgeries, six months of chemotherapy and twenty five treatments of radiation. I was the second youngest person in the chemo infusion room. There were three of us with the same diagnoses who were patients of the same surgeon. What I later realized as I would do my follow up appointments is that I was the only survivor in my infusion group.
Ten years later in November 2010 I was again faced with colon cancer. This was not a recurrence. This was a totally new colon cancer. This time around, I had to have a complete colectomy and complete hysterectom;. hoping to avoid places where this cancer could spread. The difference this time around is that I had four lymphoids involved, which means there is a greater chance for recurrence of the cancer.
As I try to walk by faith and not by sight, my fear was realized.
I am one who goes to the doctors for regular checkups and follow up on pain. Since 2012 I have been having CT/PET and MRI’s. I was trying to stay ahead of the disease. Since the first sign of the new pain I visited three doctors trying to figure out why I am having these pains. In December 31, 2013 I had a biopsy and was told that everything was clear of cancer. In July 2014 I had another CT which showed a worrisome area where my pain was. On August 2, 2014 I had another biopsy. This time my doctor cut me down the center of my abdomen to performed the biopsy. Again this time the results were negative of cancer. This still did not stop the pain. I was told to go to pain management specialist to treat my pain. I went to a local doctor for a treatment to no resolve. I went to Atlanta, GA to Emory Pain Management Center. There I had several treatments and just like all of the rest more severe pain. With each treatment my pain progressively worsened. At Emory I had an MRI which showed that the small area which had shown on previous test has grown and is now encased in my nerve root at my spine.
I went back to my surgeon who had performed the previous biopsies for answers and help with the pain. I was hospitalized for five days when I got the bad news that there was nothing he or a spine specialist consult could do for me. I needed to go to a specialist.
I came back home to Macon with the love and support of my family and my two youngest daughters. They came into my room and got into my bed with their computers and began researching spinal tumors. They inquired into MD Anderson and the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. The next morning I received calls from those two facilities. I chose to go to Mayo in Jacksonville because of the strong recommendation of Bishop Preston Williams, presiding prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of AME Church.
While at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. I consulted with a spinal surgeon. He wrote orders for me to have all new CT/PET and MRI tests. The tests came back supporting that of Emory’s test results. This doctor tells me that my tumor is inoperable. He would only make me worse. I would be immobile if he did the surgery. He told me that the cancer has already spread to my lungs as well as to my sacrum and pelvis areas. He said that only 40% of patients with recurrent metastatic adenocarcinoma would live 5 years. The oncologist gave me twenty four to thirty six months from the time of recurrence. I calculate that to be from fall of 2013. I was devastated because I had done all I knew to do: go to the doctors, have the tests, and have two biopsies. Many times when people find that they are in stage 4 cancer it is because they didn't go to the doctors for fear or a lack of insurance. This was not my case.
With the love and support of my identical twin sister, Gwen and my older sister, Louise they have been researching other alternatives than the same generic cancer treatment of chemotherapy.
With their research we have found the Burzynski Research Institute in Houston, TX. This facility does specific genetic testing and treatment for the individual. I believe this facility is for me. I need to do something different or I will have the same results as so many others before me who accepts the generic cancer treatment of chemotherapy.
My mother's fraternal side of the family has many many cases of cancer. My mother has lost three of her siblings to cancer: colon cancer, lung cancers and stomach cancer. She has loss first cousins and second cousins because of this deadly disease.
After my surgery in 2001, I retired because of disability. Which means my primary insurance is Medicare. BRI Clinic does not have a contract with Medicare. I am considered a "Self Pay" patient. My consultation and genetic testing plus the cost of medicine could possibly cost me $30,000. on my first visit which is Tuesday, February 9, 1015. Of course I do not have that kind of money. Even if I borrow that money, I will have to pay it back plus a monthly consultation fee of $4,500.. Timing of these fees is determined by my individual case. I have a serious condition. I believe that God will make a way for my financial blessing through people like you who make your selfless donations. God answers our prayers through others. I have always lived by the Golden Rules. Treat people the way you want to be treated. My husband, Bert and I are givers. There has never been an offering we have not given and there has never been a worthy cause that we didn't support. For those reasons I believe in God and I believe in you.
Please support my cause. I want to be around for my youngest grandchild, Bertram Daniel Smith aka Itty Bitty Smitty, 14 weeks old, and for my only granddaughter, Tre’sor who is now 14 soon to be 15 and of course Jase, my first grandson who is 10 years old and the sweetest child on earth. I still have some grandchildren who I want to meet who have not yet been born. I want to spend more good years with Bert, my husband of 40 years.
the ultimate dream before I die.
Please support and help me live past 2017.
First, I would like to request the support of my family:
The Lett, Richardson, Stephens, Knighton, Smith ,Lucas and Coffee Inglewood National Association and friends.
I am also requesting the support of my many affiliations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., National PanHellenic Council, HBCU, United States Armed Forces, COGIC, African Methodist Episcopal Church, CONN-MSWWO plus PK's, WMS, YPD, National Alumni Association of Savannah State University, Fort Valley State University, Troy University, Virginia State University, Interdenominational Theological Center, Turner Seminary, Georgia Association of Retired Educators, PAGE, GAE, NEA , Palms of Pasadena Hospital - St. Petersburg, FL, Quality of Life (QOL), and anyone who is willing to contribute.
If you are not able to contribute, we understand. Please help by sharing this link.
My second bout came in December 2000 when I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the ripe old age of forty-five. I had two surgeries, six months of chemotherapy and twenty five treatments of radiation. I was the second youngest person in the chemo infusion room. There were three of us with the same diagnoses who were patients of the same surgeon. What I later realized as I would do my follow up appointments is that I was the only survivor in my infusion group.
Ten years later in November 2010 I was again faced with colon cancer. This was not a recurrence. This was a totally new colon cancer. This time around, I had to have a complete colectomy and complete hysterectom;. hoping to avoid places where this cancer could spread. The difference this time around is that I had four lymphoids involved, which means there is a greater chance for recurrence of the cancer.
As I try to walk by faith and not by sight, my fear was realized.
I am one who goes to the doctors for regular checkups and follow up on pain. Since 2012 I have been having CT/PET and MRI’s. I was trying to stay ahead of the disease. Since the first sign of the new pain I visited three doctors trying to figure out why I am having these pains. In December 31, 2013 I had a biopsy and was told that everything was clear of cancer. In July 2014 I had another CT which showed a worrisome area where my pain was. On August 2, 2014 I had another biopsy. This time my doctor cut me down the center of my abdomen to performed the biopsy. Again this time the results were negative of cancer. This still did not stop the pain. I was told to go to pain management specialist to treat my pain. I went to a local doctor for a treatment to no resolve. I went to Atlanta, GA to Emory Pain Management Center. There I had several treatments and just like all of the rest more severe pain. With each treatment my pain progressively worsened. At Emory I had an MRI which showed that the small area which had shown on previous test has grown and is now encased in my nerve root at my spine.
I went back to my surgeon who had performed the previous biopsies for answers and help with the pain. I was hospitalized for five days when I got the bad news that there was nothing he or a spine specialist consult could do for me. I needed to go to a specialist.
I came back home to Macon with the love and support of my family and my two youngest daughters. They came into my room and got into my bed with their computers and began researching spinal tumors. They inquired into MD Anderson and the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. The next morning I received calls from those two facilities. I chose to go to Mayo in Jacksonville because of the strong recommendation of Bishop Preston Williams, presiding prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of AME Church.
While at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. I consulted with a spinal surgeon. He wrote orders for me to have all new CT/PET and MRI tests. The tests came back supporting that of Emory’s test results. This doctor tells me that my tumor is inoperable. He would only make me worse. I would be immobile if he did the surgery. He told me that the cancer has already spread to my lungs as well as to my sacrum and pelvis areas. He said that only 40% of patients with recurrent metastatic adenocarcinoma would live 5 years. The oncologist gave me twenty four to thirty six months from the time of recurrence. I calculate that to be from fall of 2013. I was devastated because I had done all I knew to do: go to the doctors, have the tests, and have two biopsies. Many times when people find that they are in stage 4 cancer it is because they didn't go to the doctors for fear or a lack of insurance. This was not my case.
With the love and support of my identical twin sister, Gwen and my older sister, Louise they have been researching other alternatives than the same generic cancer treatment of chemotherapy.
With their research we have found the Burzynski Research Institute in Houston, TX. This facility does specific genetic testing and treatment for the individual. I believe this facility is for me. I need to do something different or I will have the same results as so many others before me who accepts the generic cancer treatment of chemotherapy.
My mother's fraternal side of the family has many many cases of cancer. My mother has lost three of her siblings to cancer: colon cancer, lung cancers and stomach cancer. She has loss first cousins and second cousins because of this deadly disease.
After my surgery in 2001, I retired because of disability. Which means my primary insurance is Medicare. BRI Clinic does not have a contract with Medicare. I am considered a "Self Pay" patient. My consultation and genetic testing plus the cost of medicine could possibly cost me $30,000. on my first visit which is Tuesday, February 9, 1015. Of course I do not have that kind of money. Even if I borrow that money, I will have to pay it back plus a monthly consultation fee of $4,500.. Timing of these fees is determined by my individual case. I have a serious condition. I believe that God will make a way for my financial blessing through people like you who make your selfless donations. God answers our prayers through others. I have always lived by the Golden Rules. Treat people the way you want to be treated. My husband, Bert and I are givers. There has never been an offering we have not given and there has never been a worthy cause that we didn't support. For those reasons I believe in God and I believe in you.
Please support my cause. I want to be around for my youngest grandchild, Bertram Daniel Smith aka Itty Bitty Smitty, 14 weeks old, and for my only granddaughter, Tre’sor who is now 14 soon to be 15 and of course Jase, my first grandson who is 10 years old and the sweetest child on earth. I still have some grandchildren who I want to meet who have not yet been born. I want to spend more good years with Bert, my husband of 40 years.
the ultimate dream before I die.
Please support and help me live past 2017.
First, I would like to request the support of my family:
The Lett, Richardson, Stephens, Knighton, Smith ,Lucas and Coffee Inglewood National Association and friends.
I am also requesting the support of my many affiliations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., National PanHellenic Council, HBCU, United States Armed Forces, COGIC, African Methodist Episcopal Church, CONN-MSWWO plus PK's, WMS, YPD, National Alumni Association of Savannah State University, Fort Valley State University, Troy University, Virginia State University, Interdenominational Theological Center, Turner Seminary, Georgia Association of Retired Educators, PAGE, GAE, NEA , Palms of Pasadena Hospital - St. Petersburg, FL, Quality of Life (QOL), and anyone who is willing to contribute.
If you are not able to contribute, we understand. Please help by sharing this link.
Organizer
Wendolyn Mitchell Smith
Organizer
Macon, GA