Kelly's Corner
Donation protected
“Only .008% of research funds go for hereditary diffuse gastric cancer and I dyed my hair periwinkle to help bring awareness so that generations to come will not have to go thru what I have and worse what my mother is going thru.
I try to keep a positive and humorous attitude towards my situation. It’s always better to laugh rather than cry however, it all is overwhelming and the financial obstacles can be debilitating. “
This is what Kelly had to say about her current struggle with cancer! Through all her hardships, she is worried about bringing awareness for others that struggle with this disease. It’s amazing to me what a positive attitude she has had since finding out she was about to go thru one of the biggest challenges of her life. Let me share Kelly’s story with you.
Kelly decided to return to college full time for a bachelor's degree to better provide for her and her son while she also was working full time. In the spring of 2015, her mother was diagnosed with a rare stomach cancer, linitis plastica. It was soon diagnosed that she was in stage 4 and the cancer had spread. Soon after her mother tested positive for CDH1 gene mutation. The mutation causes an extremely high risk for stomach cancer (linitis plastica/signet ring cell carcinoma/hereditary diffuse gastric cancer), lobular breast cancer and signet ring cell colon carcinoma. The gene mutation does not skip generations but direct descendants have a 50/50 chance of inheriting it. A few days before Christmas, Kelly found out she was positive for the mutation. Although her son has not been tested yet (and may not can until age 18), he now has a 50/50 chance of having the gene also.
Kelly’s stomach cancer is only 1% of all stomach cancers and one of the most aggressive cancers known. Kelly's stomach was removed on February 16th, 2016 and pathology reports revealed she was in state 1 with 16 cancerous foci. This type of breast and stomach cancer the gene carries are nearly impossible to detect in testing and/or imaging, it also carries little to no symptoms, nicknaming it the "silent killer". Imaging and/or test detect in the late stages that are then too severe and diffused for treatment options. The only option is to have the organs susceptible to the cancer removed. Random biopsies will occasionally (not often) reveal the cancer. Kelly was already scheduled for a total gastrectomy (stomach removal) when a colonoscopy and EGD were performed. One of the 50 biopsies did indicate cancer. The colonoscopy revealed 6 non-cancerous polyps that were mostly removed. Kelly's colon will be monitored throughout her lifetime but there are currently no preventative options available for colon cancer.
She is determined to have her surgeries as quickly as possible to avoid anymore long term effects. Kelly is scheduled for a double mastectomy at UAMS in August of 2016 pending release from her gastric surgeon at MD Anderson cancer institute in Houston, TX. It is unknown at this time if she currently has breast cancer and will more than likely not to be determined until a post mastectomy pathology report.
Kelly has had to put school on hold and hopes to return to school and work as soon as she is able but her minimum time line is one year. Since she is unable to work, living expenses....rent, utilities, etc. are nearly unobtainable with the added cost of medical, travel and everything surrounding her current situation.
Kelly is not just another person with a GoFundMe, Kelly is a very independent individual who hates having to ask for help. Kelly is someone who hit a bump in the road of trying to better her life for her son. Kelly is a daughter, a mother, an aunt, a college student, and my best friend who at this NEEDS OUR HELP.
I try to keep a positive and humorous attitude towards my situation. It’s always better to laugh rather than cry however, it all is overwhelming and the financial obstacles can be debilitating. “
This is what Kelly had to say about her current struggle with cancer! Through all her hardships, she is worried about bringing awareness for others that struggle with this disease. It’s amazing to me what a positive attitude she has had since finding out she was about to go thru one of the biggest challenges of her life. Let me share Kelly’s story with you.
Kelly decided to return to college full time for a bachelor's degree to better provide for her and her son while she also was working full time. In the spring of 2015, her mother was diagnosed with a rare stomach cancer, linitis plastica. It was soon diagnosed that she was in stage 4 and the cancer had spread. Soon after her mother tested positive for CDH1 gene mutation. The mutation causes an extremely high risk for stomach cancer (linitis plastica/signet ring cell carcinoma/hereditary diffuse gastric cancer), lobular breast cancer and signet ring cell colon carcinoma. The gene mutation does not skip generations but direct descendants have a 50/50 chance of inheriting it. A few days before Christmas, Kelly found out she was positive for the mutation. Although her son has not been tested yet (and may not can until age 18), he now has a 50/50 chance of having the gene also.
Kelly’s stomach cancer is only 1% of all stomach cancers and one of the most aggressive cancers known. Kelly's stomach was removed on February 16th, 2016 and pathology reports revealed she was in state 1 with 16 cancerous foci. This type of breast and stomach cancer the gene carries are nearly impossible to detect in testing and/or imaging, it also carries little to no symptoms, nicknaming it the "silent killer". Imaging and/or test detect in the late stages that are then too severe and diffused for treatment options. The only option is to have the organs susceptible to the cancer removed. Random biopsies will occasionally (not often) reveal the cancer. Kelly was already scheduled for a total gastrectomy (stomach removal) when a colonoscopy and EGD were performed. One of the 50 biopsies did indicate cancer. The colonoscopy revealed 6 non-cancerous polyps that were mostly removed. Kelly's colon will be monitored throughout her lifetime but there are currently no preventative options available for colon cancer.
She is determined to have her surgeries as quickly as possible to avoid anymore long term effects. Kelly is scheduled for a double mastectomy at UAMS in August of 2016 pending release from her gastric surgeon at MD Anderson cancer institute in Houston, TX. It is unknown at this time if she currently has breast cancer and will more than likely not to be determined until a post mastectomy pathology report.
Kelly has had to put school on hold and hopes to return to school and work as soon as she is able but her minimum time line is one year. Since she is unable to work, living expenses....rent, utilities, etc. are nearly unobtainable with the added cost of medical, travel and everything surrounding her current situation.
Kelly is not just another person with a GoFundMe, Kelly is a very independent individual who hates having to ask for help. Kelly is someone who hit a bump in the road of trying to better her life for her son. Kelly is a daughter, a mother, an aunt, a college student, and my best friend who at this NEEDS OUR HELP.
Organizer and beneficiary
Mallory Garrison
Organizer
Hot Springs National Park, AR
Kelly Cameron
Beneficiary