Metastatic Cancer Fund for Nichole

For years I have been working with my gynecolgical team on screenings, biopsies and preventative treatments. After an exhaustion of using prescription meds, organic medications, radiation and experimental treatment I was referred to a specialist who offered a new successful injectable treatment. She stated she wanted to do biopsies first in office on Friday. I was told I would know the results within 1 week.  By Tuesday I received a call directly from the doctor on her personal cell on her off day. She gave me the devastating news that I had cancer.  She said my gynecologic oncologist would be calling. After hanging up I was in tears and called my parents just wondering why did I have to keep suffering. From Systemic Lupus, Kidney failure, dialysis to Cancer. Just devastating.  In August 2018, I was informed by my oncologist my cancer was stage I. By September with further testing my cancer was aggressive and now Stage IIIB and in my lymphnodes. I was told more drastic news by MD Anderson in Houston.  According to the oncologist there, I was going to need a pelvic exoneration (getting rid of colon, bladder and all of my internal and external female organs) to get rid of the cancer. I felt anger, frustration and hopelessness...no future of having a child and no future of being a woman or person. Furthermore who would want to deal with that or be with me. My father encouraged me, pushed me to fight and let me know that he would always love me no matter what. My brother who gave me life, my previous kidney transplant, coached me on. I spoke to a high school classmate and friend who told me she did not see me living like that. She said the person she cared about is bright and outgoing and enjoyed traveling should not choose that path. At that moment it was the first time I actually woke up...I have a choice.  Eventually I ended up back in Austin for alternate treatment options. I was told  there was only one  treatment option of chemotherapy treatment not specified for my cancer due to its rarity.  I looked at my treatment plan and there it listed, alternatives: NONE. Again emotions flooded me.  My mother and father kept praying for me and pushing me to keep going.  By the end of September treatment started. By November half of the cancer was gone and only a few treatments left. After completion of my chemotherapy regimen, I had testing to see if there was any cancer. From my scans they could not see any cancer which was great news! However, they needed to do biopsies to confirm. I had my surgical biopsies on Valentines day 2019. The following Friday I went into the office and discovered I had cancer.  There was concern of further spread due to a sample biopsy in another area that confirmed cancer. I was informed of the plan that my local doctor and MD Anderson had been in discussion about.  I would have 3 more chemotherapy treatments followed by radiation. Also the doctors wanted me to undergo treatment with a recently approved drug that would put me back on dialysis and end the life of my transplanted kidney. I agreed to everything but the new drug.  Within a month I was scheduled to begin my additional chemotherapy treatments however the facility was demanding $1600 dollars upfront to begin treatment. Unfortunately I am not working due to debilitating pain in my left leg and bottom, severe neuropathy in my feet as well as my fingers. I have only qualified for Medicare assistance and cannot afford the copays for treatment. I'm now requesting any assistance anyone can provide to help me meet my growing medical costs and expenses for treatment. Thank you in advance and God bless you!!!!!