Joanna Shen's Cancer Treatment Fund
Donation protected
This October we would have celebrated our mom's fifth year in remission from breast cancer, but a few weeks ago we were told the cancer had returned and that it had metastasized in her bone, liver, lymph nodes, and lungs. She had been in the U.S. for almost 4 months helping to care for Ryland, the newest member of our family and her first grandchild, when she developed an incessant cough. Returning to Taiwan for a routine cancer check-up, she learned that doctors had found fluid in her lungs along with several tumors. The weeks that followed were a whirlwind, each phone call bearing more tough news.
Our mom has now started chemotherapy which, thankfully, is covered under insurance in Taiwan; however, her doctors have advised that she simultaneously begin more targeted treatments as several of the metastases found can often be unresponsive to chemotherapy. The medications for the more targeted treatments are: Denosumab, Palbociclib, and Fulvestrant. Denosumab, is covered by Taiwanese insurance, but Palbociclib will cost the equivalent of $7,590 USD per month and Fulvestrant will cost the equivalent of $1,980 USD per month. Doctors are suggesting she start with a treatment plan of 18 months. Because each of these medications is double the cost in the States as it is in Taiwan, and Denosumab would not be covered by insurance here, our mom made the difficult decision to remain in Taiwan for her treatment. Though my sister and I will visit when we can, we will primarily be supporting from afar, so we can continue to work and contribute financially to her treatment.
Our mom has always been, and continues to be, a truly selfless mother - unwaveringly putting her family and loved ones before herself. During this challenging time, as her daughters, we are doing our best to mirror what she has spent her entire life doing for us. We hope that along with the support and kindness of our friends and family, we can lift some of the overwhelming financial burden of treatment.
We are and will forever be thankful for your help - each donation means the world to us.
With love,
Beverly and Connie
Our mom has now started chemotherapy which, thankfully, is covered under insurance in Taiwan; however, her doctors have advised that she simultaneously begin more targeted treatments as several of the metastases found can often be unresponsive to chemotherapy. The medications for the more targeted treatments are: Denosumab, Palbociclib, and Fulvestrant. Denosumab, is covered by Taiwanese insurance, but Palbociclib will cost the equivalent of $7,590 USD per month and Fulvestrant will cost the equivalent of $1,980 USD per month. Doctors are suggesting she start with a treatment plan of 18 months. Because each of these medications is double the cost in the States as it is in Taiwan, and Denosumab would not be covered by insurance here, our mom made the difficult decision to remain in Taiwan for her treatment. Though my sister and I will visit when we can, we will primarily be supporting from afar, so we can continue to work and contribute financially to her treatment.
Our mom has always been, and continues to be, a truly selfless mother - unwaveringly putting her family and loved ones before herself. During this challenging time, as her daughters, we are doing our best to mirror what she has spent her entire life doing for us. We hope that along with the support and kindness of our friends and family, we can lift some of the overwhelming financial burden of treatment.
We are and will forever be thankful for your help - each donation means the world to us.
With love,
Beverly and Connie
Organiser and beneficiary
Connie Shen
Organiser
Los Angeles, CA
Joanna Shen
Beneficiary
