Victoria Thomas
Donation protected
Many of you may not know who Victoria Thomas is, but I (Gabby Sileo) am here to tell you about her and her story. I have known Victoria since my freshman year of college. Originally from NC, Victoria came to PA to further her education and play soccer at Kutztown University. Her and I met through soccer and went through a lot during that time. Even though we had just met, Victoria was so kind and sweet to me. She was always there for me when going through mental battles. Victoria would drop everything that she was doing just to make sure I was okay. She is not only an amazing friend but an amazing person inside and out. Victoria had to go back to NC Freshman year for personal reasons but we still talked every day. When she was back in NC, she was working in the ER and going back to school to get her CNA II certification and become a nurse.
Below (October 11th, 2019): Gabby and Victoria during Gabby's fiancés graduation from the marine boot camp.
Below (January 30th, 2019): Victoria
Unfortunately, on December 30, 2018 Victoria found a mass on her neck hiding behind her collarbone while working. Because she was working in the ER, she was able to go immediately to the doctor on call. They admitted her that night and that same night she was told that she was now a cancer patient until otherwise told. The symptoms and scans were almost a mirror image of lymphoma. A week went by and they tested the mass through a needle biopsy, which came back negative for cancer. They didn't think it was concerning but they removed it to do further testing and at the chance they didn’t get enough cells during the needle biopsy. On January 22, 2019 she got a call that no 20 year old would have wanted to get... she found out that she has stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Prior to beginning chemotherapy, she decided to first do fertility treatment and freeze her eggs for the future she wanted down the road after completing cancer treatment. On March 9, 2019 Victoria had her port placed and chemo was underway. After 2 rounds of chemo a follow up PET scan was done to see the progress of the treatments. Originally, she had 3 rounds scheduled, but they added another round due to the mass in her chest that was not shrinking as well as the masses in her neck. At the end of the rounds, they did another PET scan and found that the mass had yet to dissipate. If the mass still did not go away, she would have to undergo a dangerous surgery. Mind you during this battle Victoria was having mental battles within herself. She was struggling to be positive because all of her hair was falling out and was feeling ill due to side effects of chemo. The mass still did not go away after the 2 added treatments, so on August 1, 2019 she went into surgery to remove the mass from her heart cavity.
Below (August 2nd-3rd, 2019): Victoria after surgery and picture with friend Weston Butcher.
Once removed it was confirmed that it had live cancer cells, and that Victoria had to do 2 more treatments and needed to take antibody drugs. October 8, 2019 she had her first PET scan that was clear.... no more cancer! Her hair was growing back fast, she started working again and life started to work its course.
Below (November 20th, 2019): Victoria ready for work.
Soon after going back to work, Victoria found another mass in her neck in December 2019 and it was confirmed that her cancer had returned....... She had her first treatment after finding out the news, which consisted of chemo for 3 straight days December 6-8. She had 4 different chemo drugs that were infused during that weekend. She had 3 weeks off to allow her body to recooperate, then repeated that chemo regimen December 27-29. Victoria just had a PET scan January 10 and is now waiting to meet with her doctor and the transplant team January 16 to start the process of preparing for a stem cell transplant.
Below (December 6th, 2019): Victoria with mom Heather and sister Rachel before starting her third chemo regimen.
These are words straight from Victoria-
"The hardest part has to be not feeling good. Honestly I have never thrown up to this day, but the way water and food tastes after chemo is a feeling I could never describe. The way my body will ache after a growth hormone factor shot (helps boost my white blood cells) was terrible. Being careful about germs and not being able to do certain things because you’re immunocompromised..... it sucks. Not being able to work sucks the most because I am a very independent person, so depending on others to help with bills sucks to watch. If anyone knows me, they know that I am a hard worker. Not working in the ER makes me emotional because something about helping others brightens my mood and makes my days. Even when going back to work for that month I hit the ground running and went on full time shifts because I was so happy to be back.
I'm not always positive and strong, and I can admit that. One day you wake up and you realize you’re grateful for the life God gave you. It's not perfect but the lessons that come with it are worth it, and the people I love make the world spin. So I push on and know that life will get better because rain doesn't last forever and a day spent in sadness is a day wasted".
Below (December 17th, 2019): Victoria with friends Makayla and Damian.
Below (January 6th, 2020): Victoria after chemo took her hair again.
This amount may seem a lot and we are not expecting to hit the goal (it would be really helpful if we did though) but a little goes a long way due to medical bills and other necessities. If she could work and make money she would do it in a heartbeat. Due to her illness and her fight against cancer she is not capable or allowed to do so. Anything donated would help so much. Thank you to anyone who took the time to read Victoria’s story and we thank you for any donations!
Below (October 11th, 2019): Gabby and Victoria during Gabby's fiancés graduation from the marine boot camp.
Below (January 30th, 2019): Victoria
Unfortunately, on December 30, 2018 Victoria found a mass on her neck hiding behind her collarbone while working. Because she was working in the ER, she was able to go immediately to the doctor on call. They admitted her that night and that same night she was told that she was now a cancer patient until otherwise told. The symptoms and scans were almost a mirror image of lymphoma. A week went by and they tested the mass through a needle biopsy, which came back negative for cancer. They didn't think it was concerning but they removed it to do further testing and at the chance they didn’t get enough cells during the needle biopsy. On January 22, 2019 she got a call that no 20 year old would have wanted to get... she found out that she has stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Prior to beginning chemotherapy, she decided to first do fertility treatment and freeze her eggs for the future she wanted down the road after completing cancer treatment. On March 9, 2019 Victoria had her port placed and chemo was underway. After 2 rounds of chemo a follow up PET scan was done to see the progress of the treatments. Originally, she had 3 rounds scheduled, but they added another round due to the mass in her chest that was not shrinking as well as the masses in her neck. At the end of the rounds, they did another PET scan and found that the mass had yet to dissipate. If the mass still did not go away, she would have to undergo a dangerous surgery. Mind you during this battle Victoria was having mental battles within herself. She was struggling to be positive because all of her hair was falling out and was feeling ill due to side effects of chemo. The mass still did not go away after the 2 added treatments, so on August 1, 2019 she went into surgery to remove the mass from her heart cavity.
Below (August 2nd-3rd, 2019): Victoria after surgery and picture with friend Weston Butcher.
Once removed it was confirmed that it had live cancer cells, and that Victoria had to do 2 more treatments and needed to take antibody drugs. October 8, 2019 she had her first PET scan that was clear.... no more cancer! Her hair was growing back fast, she started working again and life started to work its course.
Below (November 20th, 2019): Victoria ready for work.
Soon after going back to work, Victoria found another mass in her neck in December 2019 and it was confirmed that her cancer had returned....... She had her first treatment after finding out the news, which consisted of chemo for 3 straight days December 6-8. She had 4 different chemo drugs that were infused during that weekend. She had 3 weeks off to allow her body to recooperate, then repeated that chemo regimen December 27-29. Victoria just had a PET scan January 10 and is now waiting to meet with her doctor and the transplant team January 16 to start the process of preparing for a stem cell transplant.
Below (December 6th, 2019): Victoria with mom Heather and sister Rachel before starting her third chemo regimen.
These are words straight from Victoria-
"The hardest part has to be not feeling good. Honestly I have never thrown up to this day, but the way water and food tastes after chemo is a feeling I could never describe. The way my body will ache after a growth hormone factor shot (helps boost my white blood cells) was terrible. Being careful about germs and not being able to do certain things because you’re immunocompromised..... it sucks. Not being able to work sucks the most because I am a very independent person, so depending on others to help with bills sucks to watch. If anyone knows me, they know that I am a hard worker. Not working in the ER makes me emotional because something about helping others brightens my mood and makes my days. Even when going back to work for that month I hit the ground running and went on full time shifts because I was so happy to be back.
I'm not always positive and strong, and I can admit that. One day you wake up and you realize you’re grateful for the life God gave you. It's not perfect but the lessons that come with it are worth it, and the people I love make the world spin. So I push on and know that life will get better because rain doesn't last forever and a day spent in sadness is a day wasted".
Below (December 17th, 2019): Victoria with friends Makayla and Damian.
Below (January 6th, 2020): Victoria after chemo took her hair again.
This amount may seem a lot and we are not expecting to hit the goal (it would be really helpful if we did though) but a little goes a long way due to medical bills and other necessities. If she could work and make money she would do it in a heartbeat. Due to her illness and her fight against cancer she is not capable or allowed to do so. Anything donated would help so much. Thank you to anyone who took the time to read Victoria’s story and we thank you for any donations!
Organizer
Julie A Johannes
Organizer
Clayton, NC
