Stand Strong With Melissa
Donation protected
As many of you will already know, our family has struggled with several major health hardships over the past two years or so. I am starting my second journey through duodenal cancer (stage 4 this time) as hubby is just getting back to work after his massive heart surgery in March 2017. He was unable to return to his job and is only just now finding suitable work that he can safely do.
At the beginning of November 2017, my routine follow up CT scan became far from routine when 15 cm masses were found on both of my ovaries and were removed later that month. After over two months of waiting, additional testing, complications after the surgery, etc., we now know that I will be having a extremely major surgery called a HIPEC procedure. While the surgery two years ago at first diagnosis and the surgery in November may have removed all visible malignant tumors (there were a few spots on a recent CT scan that are suspect), the concern is that I have microscopic cancer cells spread throughout my abdomen and that those cells could then progress to tumors that will not respond very well to IV chemotherapy or radiation treatment. This surgery removes any visible tumors and organs or parts of the abdomen that are likely to have significant numbers of cancer cells and then bathes the entire abdomen with hot chemotherapy for about two hours. The chemotherapy is then drained and rinsed. This surgery should be taking place as soon as two weeks from now (February 1, 2018) to about a month. It will take about 6 months to be back to my current condition (hopefully, minus cancer cells in my abdomen). At about 4-6 weeks, I will start either IV chemotherapy for 6 months or a clinical trial of immunotherapy. I just got this information and haven't made a firm decision yet. I know what to expect with the chemo, but there have been a lot of promising results in other clinical trials of immunotherapy for other cancers including closely related colon cancer. Whichever way I go, the hope is that this part of the treatment plan will address any cancer in my blood or lymph system as well as any straggling cells or tumors that may still be hiding out.
We have mostly managed to stay afloat thanks to wonderful family and friends, but we are still behind and getting back on our feet. We have regular bills that we need to catch up on along with some car maintenance and household matters that needed our attention, but we had to focus on more immediate things. These needs are pressing and I really hope we can have all of those matters settled before I have the surgery. It would be a huge load off of my mind and will allow the household to run more efficiently in my absence and while I am not at 100 %. This accounts for about $5000 of the total I am trying to raise.
We already know that our insurance situation will change in a few months and leave us with balances of unknown amounts for which we will be responsible. We don't know exactly what those changes will be or what the full financial impact will be at this time. I will adjust the goal up or down when we get more information. I don't want us to wind up back in the same position we are in now or worse because of mounting medical bills. It will be important to me stay current on all the medical bills as they come in. For now, $40,000 is designated in my goal for this purpose.
Times like this also remind us that time is short and what is important. In the grind of dealing with the day to day with all of our health and financial issues, we have not made good memories and spent time with important people in our lives. We want to be able to change that. We would like to spend a week together as a family doing exactly what we have recently had to neglect. I will update this with more details when we know what will be possible based on my treatment and recovery. We also want to be able to visit and enjoy time with family near to us without hesitation. I also have family in California whom I miss and would like to be able to visit when the time is right. Hubby and the boys either haven't met them or don't remember it because they were so small. I have included a budget of $5000 for this purpose, a significant portion of which would be airfare for our visit to California.
I know that the boys and I will need support throughout the next year. There will be times when help around the house, a meal, a ride, or some companionship will be needed and so very appreciated. Please visit and register at the Caring Bridge website:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/melissafarrar
to see what the current needs are and find a way to help that is the right fit for you. Words of encouragement, cards, and visits throughout this process mean the world to me as I keep moving forward.
We only get one shot at this life and I want to make sure it counts. I want to make sure my family's needs are met and that the people closest to me know that I love them and have good memories for years to come. I appreciate each of you and all that you do to help make this time the best it can possibly be!
At the beginning of November 2017, my routine follow up CT scan became far from routine when 15 cm masses were found on both of my ovaries and were removed later that month. After over two months of waiting, additional testing, complications after the surgery, etc., we now know that I will be having a extremely major surgery called a HIPEC procedure. While the surgery two years ago at first diagnosis and the surgery in November may have removed all visible malignant tumors (there were a few spots on a recent CT scan that are suspect), the concern is that I have microscopic cancer cells spread throughout my abdomen and that those cells could then progress to tumors that will not respond very well to IV chemotherapy or radiation treatment. This surgery removes any visible tumors and organs or parts of the abdomen that are likely to have significant numbers of cancer cells and then bathes the entire abdomen with hot chemotherapy for about two hours. The chemotherapy is then drained and rinsed. This surgery should be taking place as soon as two weeks from now (February 1, 2018) to about a month. It will take about 6 months to be back to my current condition (hopefully, minus cancer cells in my abdomen). At about 4-6 weeks, I will start either IV chemotherapy for 6 months or a clinical trial of immunotherapy. I just got this information and haven't made a firm decision yet. I know what to expect with the chemo, but there have been a lot of promising results in other clinical trials of immunotherapy for other cancers including closely related colon cancer. Whichever way I go, the hope is that this part of the treatment plan will address any cancer in my blood or lymph system as well as any straggling cells or tumors that may still be hiding out.
We have mostly managed to stay afloat thanks to wonderful family and friends, but we are still behind and getting back on our feet. We have regular bills that we need to catch up on along with some car maintenance and household matters that needed our attention, but we had to focus on more immediate things. These needs are pressing and I really hope we can have all of those matters settled before I have the surgery. It would be a huge load off of my mind and will allow the household to run more efficiently in my absence and while I am not at 100 %. This accounts for about $5000 of the total I am trying to raise.
We already know that our insurance situation will change in a few months and leave us with balances of unknown amounts for which we will be responsible. We don't know exactly what those changes will be or what the full financial impact will be at this time. I will adjust the goal up or down when we get more information. I don't want us to wind up back in the same position we are in now or worse because of mounting medical bills. It will be important to me stay current on all the medical bills as they come in. For now, $40,000 is designated in my goal for this purpose.
Times like this also remind us that time is short and what is important. In the grind of dealing with the day to day with all of our health and financial issues, we have not made good memories and spent time with important people in our lives. We want to be able to change that. We would like to spend a week together as a family doing exactly what we have recently had to neglect. I will update this with more details when we know what will be possible based on my treatment and recovery. We also want to be able to visit and enjoy time with family near to us without hesitation. I also have family in California whom I miss and would like to be able to visit when the time is right. Hubby and the boys either haven't met them or don't remember it because they were so small. I have included a budget of $5000 for this purpose, a significant portion of which would be airfare for our visit to California.
I know that the boys and I will need support throughout the next year. There will be times when help around the house, a meal, a ride, or some companionship will be needed and so very appreciated. Please visit and register at the Caring Bridge website:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/melissafarrar
to see what the current needs are and find a way to help that is the right fit for you. Words of encouragement, cards, and visits throughout this process mean the world to me as I keep moving forward.
We only get one shot at this life and I want to make sure it counts. I want to make sure my family's needs are met and that the people closest to me know that I love them and have good memories for years to come. I appreciate each of you and all that you do to help make this time the best it can possibly be!
Organizer
Melissa Farrar
Organizer
Glen Allen, VA
