Help Annette's Fight Against Cancer!

Annette was diagnosed with Metaplastic Breast Cancer (Triple Negative) after a grueling six months of visits to the doctors and local hospitals, and convoluted information after every visit. Eventually, she was informed that the lump in her breast was cancer. However, there was opposing views on what type of cancer Annette was facing. In order for the doctors to get a proper diagnosis, Annette had to undergo a double mastectomy ( the removal of both breasts and surrounding tissue). After pathology confirmed the diagnosis, Annette was informed of the type of cancer she was facing- An extremely rare, invasive and difficult to treat cancer. Metaplastic Breast Cancer accounts for less than one percent of aggressive cancers, which makes studies and research on this cancer very limited. Therefore, Annette knew she was in for a very long and complicated treatment.

A little history and insight on Annette's life-

Annette is a 45 year old mother of four children and three grandchildren. Her boys are adults in their twenties, and her two girls are 16 and 13 years old. Annette is a wife to an Army soldier, who has spent many years overseas, and serving multiple times in Iraq and Afghanistan. Therefore, making the past 18 years filled with trials and tribulations, but one's that Annette would never replace. Thankfully, her husband has been home for the past year and is able to make it to Annette's treatments and help with the kids. However, this does not come without a struggle. Although the two are thankful to be able to have one another during their most trying times, they face a battle that nobody should have to face, during a time that should be filled with stress free peace, the struggle of financial burdens. Annette has always been their to help the one's in need from local kids to her uncle on his final days. No matter what an individuals back story was Annette would help without hesitation. Annette is a dedicated mother that has surrounded her life around ensuring her children had everything they needed. Her girls are avid dancers, spending 25 hours a week at dance almost an hour from their home. Annette does not want to strip her girls of their normalcy during a time that is already so life altering. She has been trying everyway to navigate this with keeping her children in their normal routines as much as possible- a pure accentuation of her selflessness.

Treatment-

Currently, Annette drives from Connecticut to Boston (Dana Faber) every week for her chemotherapy treatments- for the past several months. However, she is approaching her final dose, yay! It has been a long haul with extremely low blood counts and the need for a transfusion, to high liver levels where she needed to skip her treatment. However, one of her worst encounters was when she was told their was a shortage of chemotherapy, and her treatment plan needed to change. This was frightening! The new treatment is not as easy on her recovery after every treatment, as it makes her very ill. In the next couple months, Annette will have a short break before she returns for her start of radiation treatment. Afterwards, she will return for another surgery to remove surrounding lymph nodes, and reconstruction.

What Annette's Family wants for her during these difficult times-

Everyone in Annette's life- husband, children, sisters, brothers, mother and father- want's Annette to focus on her treatment and spend quality time with her family without the stress of what tomorrow may bring. Just like anyone else in Annette's shoes, they deserve to live in the moment with laughter and love. Annette does not deserve to worry about how a bill will get paid, how they will pay for school clothes, how they will put the next meal on the table. She should not lose sleep over the bills from her heavily priced treatment to survive, and fear they will drown her. Most of all, Annette should not worry if she will have gas to get to treatment or drive herself because her husband can't miss work. Although Annette returned to work during chemotherapy, it was very difficult for her physically. Now, she does a few hours remotely a week to try and make ends meet, but she will soon be required to take a leave of absence due to treatment. She wants nothing more than to get back to her routine, but we want her healthy before she pushes herself too far. We know how hard it is for everyone to live today, so we aren't asking for much, but every dollar can make a difference in Annette's life right now.

" You are worth the quiet moment. You are worth the deeper breath. You are worth the time it takes to slow down, be still, and rest"

Morgan Harper Nichols.

A "small" donation may seem insignificant, but those "small" donations can make a life filled with such a heavy burden feel a little lighter.

We thank you for the time you have taken to read Annette's story. We thank you all who have had it in their hearts to help Annette. Your help will not go unforgotten. You have taken the time to become a part of Annette's journey, and you are a true treasure.

~ Annette's Family