Help Joanna win her fight with pancreatic cancer!

Dear Friends (both known and unknown)--

Well, I've written a lot of papers and blog posts and articles, but this is probably the most important thing I've ever written.

I don't know how to start this except to say that 2019 began on probably the worst note you could imagine:

a biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of Stage II Pancreatic Cancer for me on New Year's Day.

I know, right?

I had been experiencing back pain for the past few months, and it became unbearable after Christmas. I finally went to the ER on the afternoon of December 29th, was admitted to the hospital that night, and didn't leave until Friday the 4th with the unbelievable diagnosis of a pancreatic adenocarcinoma and lots of meds in hand.

This body has cancer and I can't wrap my head around that.

A small group of people have gotten me through these past days: my four children; my best friend, Natacha; my buddy Blake, and my truly magnificent boyfriend, Charlie. They are keeping me sane, focused, encouraged, and well-hugged.

I bet you're saying "I just can't believe this!" to yourself. I still can't believe it either.

So, believe it or not, there is some "good" in my current diagnosis:
1) my tumor is on the top of the body of the pancreas, meaning that it is not near the vasculature nor the ducts;
2) it does not appear to have spread to any other organs yet;
3) after chemo and radiation, there is a 99.99% chance that it will be able to be completely removed surgically; and
4) we caught it VERY early, which skyrockets the survivability rate...only about 15% of pancreatic cancer cases are operable because tumors have usually metastasized by the time they are found.

The suggested treatment plan at this juncture is aggressive, 4-6 cycles of the FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy protocol. It's brutal. I'll leave you to Google it if you want the icky details. Not only do I have to go through this protocol, I will have to have radiation once chemo is done...plus a complicated resection surgery after radiation...plus more chemo after the surgery.

I need your help for several reasons. At this point, I don't know how much I will be able to work; because I have been at my job for less than 1 year, I am not eligible for FMLA or salary continuation; and if I lose my job, I lose my insurance. I am currently on short-term disability but we are not certain if I will be able to reapply after the beginning of February. Even WITH insurance, the expenses are going to be staggering and nothing that I could even dream about covering on my own.

The need is going to be overwhelming.

This GoFundMe will be mainly administrated by Charlie. You can reach him (or me) on this site if you'd like more information about how the funds will be used.

Please sign up at my Caring Bridge site for day-to-day updates on treatment, continuing needs, schedules, etc. here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/xojo

So, after years of teaching children and working at non-profits to help people with dementia and students with special needs, I am having to call in all of my good karma chits! I need them and I need you. Thank you so very much for reading and for caring!

We are literally fighting for my life, y'all.

We've set a large goal due to the many uncertainties about how much this will cost or whether or not I'll even be able to keep my job.  Please read Charlie's 16 January update for more information on that.  We've set a large goal due to these uncertainties.  Please know that any unused funds will be paid forward to people in a similar situation. 

In deepest humility, gratitude, and love  --
Joanna