Save Amber's LIfe

Hello, my name is Amber Larsen and I was diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcinoma or Breast Cancer on May 23, 2017. I have undergone a double mastectomy with reconstruction, chemotherapy - specifically the drug Taxol, and I am still currently under the umbrella of chemotherapy in that now I am getting herceptin infusions. The reason for this GoFund me is that what I suffered during my weekly chemotherapy sessions with taxol and the aftermath that I am currently dealing with. Towards the middle of my chemotherapy treatment I developed late stage peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet. I was told by my medical oncologist at the time (we have since switched physicians) that this would dissipate after my last taxol treatment, which was November 28, 2017. This did not come to pass, however. Instead, my neuropathy became worse and eventually became completely out of control. In December of 2017, I suffered my first seizure. My neuropathy started in my left underarm where my nerves were moved in order to remove my lymph nodes from surgery. I went into the Emergency department when the neuropathy began to spread to my arms, hands, legs, torso, and feet. While I began to wait, my muscles began to spasm uncontrollably. The sensation was that of electric shock in my side, and my body feeling like it had been lit on fire. I then began to seize horribly, and even though I was treated, I would soon find out this would not be an isolated incident. Fast forward to January 8th, 2018. I was at UNC visiting a medical oncologist, and I began to experience similar symptoms. The physician waited too late to treat me, and I ended up at UNC’s trauma center because I had gone into respiratory distress due to me having a full blown tonic clonic seizure. That waiting all most cost me my own life. It was a scary moment for me, and I was treated again, but it left its mark. I have had a total of 4 seizures, and I have found out that I suffered permanent nerve damage and Complex regional pain syndrome from chemotherapy. I am not an isolated case, this is actually something that can happen with taxol, and is a risk factor – especially for those who do the weekly doses. My medical oncologist failed to stop chemotherapy when the symptoms were at their worst, and I suffered permanently for that decision. I lost my ability to work for the time being. Now, we are asking for your help because we found an experimental treatment that isn’t covered by insurance. So far, we have paid $3,000 for this treatment, which is about half the cost of the total treatment. This treatment is working, as I have not had a life-threatening seizure since we started, but we need help to pay for the rest of the treatment process. While I will live with the nerve damage for the rest of my life, this treatment will give me the ability to live a normal life, without the seizures. My fear is that I will die from the damage I suffered, but this treatment has given me hope for a better future. Please help me finish out my treatment. Many of you have already helped me during my initial diagnosis – I had no idea that I would suffer greatly from the treatment itself. Anything you donate would be greatly appreciated and I promise to update you so you know that your money is going directly towards my treatment. Many of you know I don't have much in regard to my flesh and blood family (only my mom) so my friends have become my family. I've always been prepared to fight, but I had no idea that I would have to fight a war on two fronts - the cancer that invaded my body and the nerve damage that causes tonic clonic seizures brought on by Taxol. This has been incredibly difficult and there are days that I find it hard to fight. Many of you may be asking about other drugs like Neurotin, but unfortunately, no nerve medication actually works for the seizures. Plus, the side effects are awful and it isn’t a permanent solution to my problem. The treatment I undergo, which is in the form of an infusion, can permanently stop my seizures and eventually, my neuropathy. Thank you and much love to all of you. If you want to learn more, please check out my blog at: www.amberkimhealthandwellness.com