Do It For Dottie
My mother Dorothy (Dottie) Drummond is married with three daughters. I am Jamie and my sisters are Gidget and Sarah. Our mother has one granddaughter and three grandsons.
Although my mother's story of cancer is the main focus of her life now, she has had several medical issues for years. Having three strokes in the past she has suffered many complications before the age of 40. In 2010, she was diagnosed with Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. In 2011, she was diagnosed with Esophagitis Stage 4. This has been extremely painful and makes it difficult swallowing, causing chest pain and making eating challenging. This later caused complications developing into Barrett's esophagus and Diverticulosis of the colon in 2013.
In the early part of 2014, she was first diagnosed with Stage 2 Squamous Cell Carcinoma. After many failed infusions and other treatments, she had a successful Lobectomy in December of 2014. They had removed part of the left upper lobe of the lung and lymph nodes and removed the cancer.
February of 2018, our lives once again turned for the worse. She found a knot in her chest. It was Stage 4 Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Within weeks this had spread into lymph nodes and chest. Having an immune system too weak for radiation and chemotherapy her only option was an immunotherapy called Keytruda. The week of Thanksgiving, we found out that this alone is not working.
The plan now is to add chemotherapy medications Carbaplatin and Paclitaxel along with the Keytruda. Even though her immune system is extremely weak she must fight this battle. It is making her tremendously sick. The cost of medical bills are going up with barely any income coming into the household. We are asking for help for medical bills, co-pays, home care, prescriptions, food, and every day needs.
We greatly appreciate any donation in any amount. This not only affects our lives financially but emotionally as well. Please take the time to consider our mothers story around the holidays as we know everyone is dealing with some struggle in their lives. We can not thank you enough.
