Support Lauren and Vera
Donation protected
LAUREN’S STORY
Lauren has been diagnosed with a rare cancer called Malignant Ossifying Fibromyoxide Sarcoma.
All of this began after a lump about the size of a golf ball was removed from her hand. At the time, doctors believed this mass to be a benign lump of fatty tissue. As a precaution, it was sent to a lab for testing and after months of weekly visits to the hospital for updates, the sample being sent not only around the country but around the world, we received the diagnosis of cancer.
If I could just rewind a bit - Lauren and I (Laurence) have just had our first child. Our Daughter, Vera, is just 11 months old. All those reading this who are parents would understand that birth and those first six months are very challenging and can be a stressful, anxious time. To add cancer to that journey is just devastating.
After the diagnosis, initial reactions from doctors were to completely remove Lauren’s right hand. Her dominant hand. After some discussion and research into what few cases of this cancer have been recorded, it was agreed we would treat it with targeted radiation and ultimately chemotherapy.
Lauren’s treatment plan consists of 6 weeks of radiation, 18 weeks of chemotherapy and a fertility treatment to ensure that if Lauren’s reproductive system is damaged during chemotherapy we can still give Vera a little brother or sister in the future.
ABOUT LAUREN
Lauren is about the most friendly and caring person you could ever meet. She will always make time to talk with you, care for you or just hang out with you. She has aspirations to be a social worker and was in fact studying before this ordeal. I believe she will return to it when fit and ready.
In her past she has studied and worked in architectural drafting, working with some of the most excellent architectural firms in WA and maybe even Australia.
She enjoys spending time in the garden potting plants and watching things grow. She has a passion for jewellery, having studied jewellery design for a period and even made some of her own pieces including some beautiful rings.
Lauren is an incredible mother, raising our daughter Vera to be strong, bright and happy. She takes care of Vera for most of the day while I work.
GOFUNDME
How would we use your donations?
I’m glad you asked. There’s so much involved in this treatment.
We have already completed fertility treatment.
This was a mostly out of pocket process similar to IVF where after daily self-injections, follicles were harvested in a procedure under general anaesthetic. Those follicles containing eggs were then fertilised and transferred to cryopreservation.
We’re happy to report that this has given us 7 successful embryos.
We have already started radiation therapy.
While this is covered under the public health system, there are some medications and ointments to care for Lauren’s hand and related pain which are out of pocket.
We also have the costs of traveling to, from and parking at the hospital every day.
Next month, we start chemotherapy.
This will be the longest and most difficult process.
Transport and parking will again be a cost, as we visit the hospital every day for 6 of the 18 weeks.
There will be days where we need to put Vera in care, as Lauren will be in treatment or unwell and I will need to work.
There will be medications and general care.
We will also provide Lauren with the most nutritious food and beneficial supplements that we can to care for her over this period.
THANK YOU
We are so grateful to all the people and organisations that have already helped us. Family, Friends, Cancer Council, Sock it to Sarcoma, the team at Charles Gairdner Hospital and various counsellors and social workers.
Lauren has been diagnosed with a rare cancer called Malignant Ossifying Fibromyoxide Sarcoma.
All of this began after a lump about the size of a golf ball was removed from her hand. At the time, doctors believed this mass to be a benign lump of fatty tissue. As a precaution, it was sent to a lab for testing and after months of weekly visits to the hospital for updates, the sample being sent not only around the country but around the world, we received the diagnosis of cancer.
If I could just rewind a bit - Lauren and I (Laurence) have just had our first child. Our Daughter, Vera, is just 11 months old. All those reading this who are parents would understand that birth and those first six months are very challenging and can be a stressful, anxious time. To add cancer to that journey is just devastating.
After the diagnosis, initial reactions from doctors were to completely remove Lauren’s right hand. Her dominant hand. After some discussion and research into what few cases of this cancer have been recorded, it was agreed we would treat it with targeted radiation and ultimately chemotherapy.
Lauren’s treatment plan consists of 6 weeks of radiation, 18 weeks of chemotherapy and a fertility treatment to ensure that if Lauren’s reproductive system is damaged during chemotherapy we can still give Vera a little brother or sister in the future.
ABOUT LAUREN
Lauren is about the most friendly and caring person you could ever meet. She will always make time to talk with you, care for you or just hang out with you. She has aspirations to be a social worker and was in fact studying before this ordeal. I believe she will return to it when fit and ready.
In her past she has studied and worked in architectural drafting, working with some of the most excellent architectural firms in WA and maybe even Australia.
She enjoys spending time in the garden potting plants and watching things grow. She has a passion for jewellery, having studied jewellery design for a period and even made some of her own pieces including some beautiful rings.
Lauren is an incredible mother, raising our daughter Vera to be strong, bright and happy. She takes care of Vera for most of the day while I work.
GOFUNDME
How would we use your donations?
I’m glad you asked. There’s so much involved in this treatment.
We have already completed fertility treatment.
This was a mostly out of pocket process similar to IVF where after daily self-injections, follicles were harvested in a procedure under general anaesthetic. Those follicles containing eggs were then fertilised and transferred to cryopreservation.
We’re happy to report that this has given us 7 successful embryos.
We have already started radiation therapy.
While this is covered under the public health system, there are some medications and ointments to care for Lauren’s hand and related pain which are out of pocket.
We also have the costs of traveling to, from and parking at the hospital every day.
Next month, we start chemotherapy.
This will be the longest and most difficult process.
Transport and parking will again be a cost, as we visit the hospital every day for 6 of the 18 weeks.
There will be days where we need to put Vera in care, as Lauren will be in treatment or unwell and I will need to work.
There will be medications and general care.
We will also provide Lauren with the most nutritious food and beneficial supplements that we can to care for her over this period.
THANK YOU
We are so grateful to all the people and organisations that have already helped us. Family, Friends, Cancer Council, Sock it to Sarcoma, the team at Charles Gairdner Hospital and various counsellors and social workers.
Organizer
Laurence Davis
Organizer
Perth WA
