My Cancer Conference

My name is Michelle Pratt.  I am a Nurse Practitioner, wife, mother, friend, and liver cancer survivor. In 2011 I was diagnosed with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma  or  more commonly known as bile duct cancer. At that time I was so fortunate to have an amazing team of doctors and surgeons. I had most of my liver removed and followed up with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy treatments. I had remained cancer free until this past August 2015.  I had gone for a massage with my husband and following the massage I had noticed that my " tired muscles" in my back had not recovered from that deep tissue treatment. Within a week following the massage I could barely walk.  After multiple visits to the Emergency Department I finally had a MRI of my back.  That MRI showed a tumor in my lower spine.  From there it was confirmed with more testing and biopsy...... my cancer had returned. A tumor was found in my lower back, two small tumors in my lungs, and one in my lymph nodes.  Ironically none in my liver.  Bile duct cancer is not supposed to return to these areas but here it was.... 

Since August 24, 2015 I have been receiving aggressive treatment from a great team of doctors. I have been on medical leave to concentrate on my recovery.  My employer, friends and colleagues have been wonderful with unending support for my family and I however the financial burden has finally caught up and we have begun to feel the pressure of my illness. 

So today I am asking for a little more support from those that may or may not know me.  I have the opportunity to go to Salt Lake City in two weeks to attend a 3 day conference during the first week of February all about my cancer.  This conference is sponsored by THE CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA FOUNDATION. This conference will have specialists from Mayo Clinic, Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and several other major cancer research facilities. Topics will cover clinical trials, updated information on treatments, and the role of gene therapies.   Registration is free to me as a patient however the flight and hotel are not.  

This disease is rare and often difficult to treat. I have been blessed to feel well and to be responding to to treatment however it would be foolish to not arm myself with all of the latest information available. This cancer does not play nice or by any rules so my toolbox needs to be filled with an arsanal for the fight. This is where I am asking for your help. I cannot afford to go without any financial assistance.  Our savings are depleted and I have no other place to seek funding. So I am calling on your generosity.  All donations will be used to send me and a caretaker to the conference.  

It goes without saying the impact that this could have on my treatment and chance to find permanant remission. Please help me beat this horrific cancer once and for all by sending me to this conference.