- B
Triple-Negative, grade 3, extremely aggressive Breast Cancer. That was not the gift that our Mom, Arlette thought she would be receiving for her 70th Birthday. 2019 had already been an unbelievably challenging year that included a lot of trauma.
She had spent time with son, Timothy, in Switzerland after he was critically injured in an ice climbing accident in January and then spent another 6-weeks in March and April with her daughter Janell and her granddaughters in Australia after Janell’s own Stage 3 Cancer diagnosis. All of this has been going on and now she needs your help…
Things had finally calmed down in June and Mom was spending her first full month of 2019 in Arizona, when her doctor suggested that she have a “routine” Mammogram. Well, that routine mammogram quickly turned into additional scans, biopsies and a super scary diagnosis. Doctors recommended she quickly have surgery and begin treatment since this type of breast cancer is the most challenging to treat and has the highest percentage of recurrence and metastasis.
But even after her diagnosis and before she had surgery, she planned and hosted an amazing “Cousin’s Camp” for her Grandson’s in Northern California. This is how giving and supportive she is of her kids and grand kids.
What is happening?
As a Mother of 7 and Grandmother of 6, Mom has spent most of her life taking care of others and giving so much of herself.
After having surgery in August, Mom spent several weeks in the Pacific Northwest recovering and preparing both physically and mentally to begin additional treatments. Before surgery she met with an amazing medical oncologist, Dr. Nagourney, in Long Beach, CA who was able to conduct testing on her tumor tissue and recommended a specific chemotherapy protocol based on her individual tumor response.
Prior to beginning traditional treatment, Mom was really struggling with the approach that her doctors were recommending. They weren’t planning on utilizing the recommended chemotherapy and didn’t really have a comprehensive mind, body and spirit support plan in mind. So, Mom continued searching, praying for direction and finally found the doctor and clinic that she was supposed to have!
She had an appointment with this new Doctor, Dr. Maggie Gama, that was not only an M.D. but also a believer. That doctor provided her a new and very comprehensive treatment plan. This treatment plan includes chemotherapy, diet and exercise changes, supplements and other supportive measures. Mom feels as if she has found the right doctor and advocate with Dr. Gama and trusts her to help guide her through this difficult journey.
Mom started her preliminary treatments on September 19th and started chemotherapy this last week. It’s great that she has finally found the right place for her treatment and to support her journey, but it has also brought about a huge challenge.
That challenge? Mom’s treatments will have an out of pocket expense of around $50,000. Recently a counselor at the clinic shared with her that giving and receiving in life come from the same hand, and she is learning it is much easier to give to others and so much harder to ask for any of that same help for herself. But during these challenging times, she will need financial help like we would all need in a situation like this.
How can you help?
A large percentage of these treatments are not covered by Medicare or Mom’s supplemental Insurance. There are so many expenses coming up that are way outside of anyone’s budget including:
· Infusions, therapies, testing and treatments
· Prescribed special foods and diets
· Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy
· Supportive care (mind, body and spiritual support)
· Gas for trips back and forth to the clinic 4 days a week
All these expenses are already adding up quickly so any help that you can provide would be so appreciated! Give if you can, send your thoughts and prayers and share this campaign. What a year this has been for our family and we are so grateful for each of you.
She had spent time with son, Timothy, in Switzerland after he was critically injured in an ice climbing accident in January and then spent another 6-weeks in March and April with her daughter Janell and her granddaughters in Australia after Janell’s own Stage 3 Cancer diagnosis. All of this has been going on and now she needs your help…
Things had finally calmed down in June and Mom was spending her first full month of 2019 in Arizona, when her doctor suggested that she have a “routine” Mammogram. Well, that routine mammogram quickly turned into additional scans, biopsies and a super scary diagnosis. Doctors recommended she quickly have surgery and begin treatment since this type of breast cancer is the most challenging to treat and has the highest percentage of recurrence and metastasis.
But even after her diagnosis and before she had surgery, she planned and hosted an amazing “Cousin’s Camp” for her Grandson’s in Northern California. This is how giving and supportive she is of her kids and grand kids.
What is happening?
As a Mother of 7 and Grandmother of 6, Mom has spent most of her life taking care of others and giving so much of herself.
After having surgery in August, Mom spent several weeks in the Pacific Northwest recovering and preparing both physically and mentally to begin additional treatments. Before surgery she met with an amazing medical oncologist, Dr. Nagourney, in Long Beach, CA who was able to conduct testing on her tumor tissue and recommended a specific chemotherapy protocol based on her individual tumor response.
Prior to beginning traditional treatment, Mom was really struggling with the approach that her doctors were recommending. They weren’t planning on utilizing the recommended chemotherapy and didn’t really have a comprehensive mind, body and spirit support plan in mind. So, Mom continued searching, praying for direction and finally found the doctor and clinic that she was supposed to have!
She had an appointment with this new Doctor, Dr. Maggie Gama, that was not only an M.D. but also a believer. That doctor provided her a new and very comprehensive treatment plan. This treatment plan includes chemotherapy, diet and exercise changes, supplements and other supportive measures. Mom feels as if she has found the right doctor and advocate with Dr. Gama and trusts her to help guide her through this difficult journey.
Mom started her preliminary treatments on September 19th and started chemotherapy this last week. It’s great that she has finally found the right place for her treatment and to support her journey, but it has also brought about a huge challenge.
That challenge? Mom’s treatments will have an out of pocket expense of around $50,000. Recently a counselor at the clinic shared with her that giving and receiving in life come from the same hand, and she is learning it is much easier to give to others and so much harder to ask for any of that same help for herself. But during these challenging times, she will need financial help like we would all need in a situation like this.
How can you help?
A large percentage of these treatments are not covered by Medicare or Mom’s supplemental Insurance. There are so many expenses coming up that are way outside of anyone’s budget including:
· Infusions, therapies, testing and treatments
· Prescribed special foods and diets
· Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy
· Supportive care (mind, body and spiritual support)
· Gas for trips back and forth to the clinic 4 days a week
All these expenses are already adding up quickly so any help that you can provide would be so appreciated! Give if you can, send your thoughts and prayers and share this campaign. What a year this has been for our family and we are so grateful for each of you.
