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Cancer Strikes Alaskans a 3rd Time

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We are hoping that the third time is indeed a charm.  Rick and Tanya live in Homer, Alaska.  They have had their share of challenges over the years with cancer.

In 1999 Rick was diagnosed with Stage 4B Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  He went to the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle for Chemo treatments which put him in a short remission. 

Then, in the early spring of 2000 the cancer came back and he again went to the UWMC in Seattle.  This time he underwent a very successful Peripheral Stem Cell Transplant for Stage 4B Recurrent Hodgkin's Lymphoma  and remains cancer free to this day!  18 glorious years and counting!

Then nearly 5 years to the day Rick was diagnosed Tanya was diagnosed with Hurthle Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid.  She had her thyroid completely removed, went trough 2 rounds on Iodine 131 treatments and has been free of thyroid cancer since.

In March while on vacation in Seattle she went in to have a CT scan for another issue that turned out to be a hernia on her Xyphoid process.  That was the good news.

The bad news is that the CT scan identified an abnormal thickening area in her right side abdominal wall and 2 areas of concern in her right breast.

Further investigation by the Doctors at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance shows she now has invasive ductile carcinoma.  It has escaped the confines of the milk ducts and has invaded her breast tissue.

She and Rick will be returning to Seattle on May 2 (just a few days from now) for an MRI to see if the swollen lymph nodes are connected to the cancer and to get proper staging.

They had to give up their health insurance because the premiums in Alaska for the lowest coverage available was over $36,000 a year.

They are now a facing paying for their home in Alaska as well as trying to set up a small efficiency apartment for her near their son and daughter-in-law's place in Seattle.  I looks like they will be paying around $1600 a month for an fully furnished studio apartment.  These apartments are set up specifically for folks who come from outside Seattle for medical treatment and Tanya and Rick are VERY grateful that they were able to get on the waiting list and get a place right away!

There will be considerable expense, $1500 ($1000 if can afford the additional time away from work and can drive to Anchorage) each time Rick flies to Seattle and back to Homer.

We are running this campaign to help raise money to assist in these expenses.

Tanya has started a Caring Bridge page where everyone can go and see how things are going for them.  You can check it out at https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tanyanorvell


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  • Ronald Keffer
    • $100 
    • 5 yrs
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Tanya Norvell
Organisator
Homer, AK

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