Katie and Joe's Medical Fundraiser
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Katie has just been diagnosed with Nuerofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) and I am helping her to raise money to assist in the cost of radiation, future MRIs, possible surgeries, and future planning due to the genetic component and progressiveness of this condition.
A little about NF2: It’s a hereditary condition whereas tumors grow on the nerves for balance and hearing of the inner ear. These tumors are generally not cancerous, but they may still lead to significant medical problems, especially if there are multiple tumors in or next to the brain. Treatment is radiation and/or surgery depending if the tumors are causing neurological problems and is geared to preserving her hearing for as long as possible, but, hearing loss is inevitable. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/neurofibromatosis-type-2
Unfortunately, in Katie’s case, the tumors are numerous and are causing her significant problems. One tumor is wrapped around her optic nerve and destroyed her vision in her right eye. This tumor is inoperable and she will not regain her sight back. She needs radiation to slow the growth of the tumor to preserve the sight in her other eye to prevent her from going totally blind. She, also, has tumors growing in her inner ears which are causing her dizziness and balance issues. She is contemplating surgery to remove the growths, helping her dizziness and prolonging her hearing. Since NF2 is a dominant genetic trait, passing this trait to her own children is high and Katie may need to consider other options to family planning. This would require her to have genetic testing which insurance does not cover and costs could be go as high as $20k+.
Katie is 26 years old and started nursing school two years ago and is set to graduate in March of 2019. Her dream is to become a SICU (surgical ICU) nurse and move onto becoming a nurse practitioner. Although her future is unknown, she is still pressing forward with her dream in hopes treatment will be successful in slowing the growths, so she can enjoy a long nursing career.
Who is Katie? Well, she is Caleb and Chloe’s older sister and I helped raise her for 17 years—I consider her my daughter. We love her dearly and feel helpless over her situation. I cannot imagine dealing with the possibility of going blind and deaf in her very near future. It took only 3 years for one eye to go blind! I have offered to help her by raising money to cover the cost of radiation, any surgeries, and any future accommodations she may need, such as a seeing-eye dog or classes in sign language. If you are unable to assist financially, please say a prayer and if you know of any resources to help, please let us know—you cannot put a price-tag on those!!
In a plot twist which only Hollywood can think, Joe, Katie's boyfriend, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. In Hodgkin's lymphoma, cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally and may spread beyond it. Advances in diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma have helped give people with this disease the chance for a full recovery.
Stage IV is the most advanced stage of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cancer cells are in several portions of one or more organs and tissues. Stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma affects not only the lymph nodes but also other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs or bones. Joe has it in his bones.
Treatment could be chemo, radiation, bone marrow transplant, or drug therapy.
The funds are going directly to Katie to distribute how she sees fit. Please consider helping. Thank you
A little about NF2: It’s a hereditary condition whereas tumors grow on the nerves for balance and hearing of the inner ear. These tumors are generally not cancerous, but they may still lead to significant medical problems, especially if there are multiple tumors in or next to the brain. Treatment is radiation and/or surgery depending if the tumors are causing neurological problems and is geared to preserving her hearing for as long as possible, but, hearing loss is inevitable. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/neurofibromatosis-type-2
Unfortunately, in Katie’s case, the tumors are numerous and are causing her significant problems. One tumor is wrapped around her optic nerve and destroyed her vision in her right eye. This tumor is inoperable and she will not regain her sight back. She needs radiation to slow the growth of the tumor to preserve the sight in her other eye to prevent her from going totally blind. She, also, has tumors growing in her inner ears which are causing her dizziness and balance issues. She is contemplating surgery to remove the growths, helping her dizziness and prolonging her hearing. Since NF2 is a dominant genetic trait, passing this trait to her own children is high and Katie may need to consider other options to family planning. This would require her to have genetic testing which insurance does not cover and costs could be go as high as $20k+.
Katie is 26 years old and started nursing school two years ago and is set to graduate in March of 2019. Her dream is to become a SICU (surgical ICU) nurse and move onto becoming a nurse practitioner. Although her future is unknown, she is still pressing forward with her dream in hopes treatment will be successful in slowing the growths, so she can enjoy a long nursing career.
Who is Katie? Well, she is Caleb and Chloe’s older sister and I helped raise her for 17 years—I consider her my daughter. We love her dearly and feel helpless over her situation. I cannot imagine dealing with the possibility of going blind and deaf in her very near future. It took only 3 years for one eye to go blind! I have offered to help her by raising money to cover the cost of radiation, any surgeries, and any future accommodations she may need, such as a seeing-eye dog or classes in sign language. If you are unable to assist financially, please say a prayer and if you know of any resources to help, please let us know—you cannot put a price-tag on those!!
In a plot twist which only Hollywood can think, Joe, Katie's boyfriend, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. In Hodgkin's lymphoma, cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally and may spread beyond it. Advances in diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma have helped give people with this disease the chance for a full recovery.
Stage IV is the most advanced stage of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cancer cells are in several portions of one or more organs and tissues. Stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma affects not only the lymph nodes but also other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs or bones. Joe has it in his bones.
Treatment could be chemo, radiation, bone marrow transplant, or drug therapy.
The funds are going directly to Katie to distribute how she sees fit. Please consider helping. Thank you
Organizer and beneficiary
Tina Belmonte
Organizer
South Saint Paul, MN
CarolJean Kissner
Beneficiary
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