Leanne's Battle
Hi my name is Leanne Harrison and I'm 34 years old. On April 29, 2016 I was diagnosed with a type of cancer called Squamous Carcinoma (uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells arising in the skins upper layers). It started in my lungs and metastasized to my back and right deltoid. On May 11, 2016 two additional tumours were discovered in my brain.
Here is a quick list of what I've been thru most recently:
April 19, 2016 - Chest X Ray (shows nothing) Med Rays Labs Coquitlam
April 28, 2016 - Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist (Tests show nothing but slight acid reflux) Surrey Clinic.
April 29, 2016 - Ultrasound on right deltoid (shows possible cancerous tumor. Med Ray Labs Coquitlam
April 29, 2016 - CT scan on Neck to Pelvis (shows smaller tumor in lungs along with some lesions and nodules) Royal Columbian Hospital.
May 4, 2016 - MRI on right deltoid (to decide biopsy location) Surrey MRI. My family chose to pay the almost $1000.00 to have this done privately as we could not bear to think the cancer was spreading even more while I waited for a MRI appointment at Vancouver General Hospital.
May 9, 2016 - Biopsy on right deltoid (to try and determine type of cancer and where the primary is) BC Cancer Agency Vancouver.
May 11, 2016 - CT scan and MRI at Richmond General Hospital. After mentioning I get headaches when I stand, the Doctor orders a CT scan of brain which shows two brain tumors. This is even more devastating than
finding out about all the other cancer.
May 12, 2016 - Met with temporary oncologist (my other was on holidays) who connected me with first brain surgeon.
May 18, 2016 - Went to Vancouver General Hospital emergency.
May 19, 2016 - CT and MRI at Vancouver General Hospital in prep for first brain surgery.
May 20, 2016 - A Medical Oncologist shows up in my hospital room unexpectedly to discuss a clinical trial. They need my answer by the next day as they want to be able to properly store a sample of the damaged dna from tomorrow's brain surgery.
May 21, 2016 - First brain surgery to remove golf ball sized tumor.
May 22, 2016 - CT scan of brain (to follow up surgery and make sure tumor successfully removed).
May 24, 2016 - Released from Vancouver General Hospital from first brain surgery.
May 30, 2016 - Threw up blood this morning and thankfully with my parents help, I checked myself into emergency at Richmond General Hospital. This is the most pain I have ever felt in my life (Although I have never given birth). CT scan of brain shows second tumor awaiting radiation is swelling and growing and now needs to be surgically removed. Waiting for radiation now could allow this tumor to grow too large and cause severe permanent neurological damage. They transferred me by ambulance the same day to Vancouver General Hospital.
May 31, 2016 - Staples from first surgery removed!
May 31, 2016 - CT Scan of brain (in prep for 2nd brain surgery)
June 1, 2016 - 2nd brain surgery to remove ping pong ball sized tumor in brain.
June 2, 2016 - CT Scan of brain (to follow up 2nd surgery and make sure 2nd tumor successfully removed.
June 3, 2016 – released from Vancouver General Hospital following 2nd brain surgery.
Upcoming: June 13, 2016. Get stitches out from 2nd brain surgery. Have appointment with Medical Oncologist to discuss upcoming treatment including radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
A few people have mentioned that they would like to help by making a donation. I have set up this GoFundMe as a way for people to do that.
Why gofundme? Although some expenses related to my treatment are covered, there are many that are not covered.
These range from smaller expenses such as handicapped parking pass, Doctor's fees for paperwork we require them to fill out, parking meter (for every appointment I go to in Vancouver, usually weekly), just to name a few.
Then there are the much larger expenses. For example, some treatments which have proven to be highly effective and may be required down the road (as recommended by medical oncologist) are Nivolumab Immunotherapy and Proton Therapy. While Nivolumab is currently undergoing free clinical trials, once it passes approval it will cost thousands of dollars per treatment (needed every couple of weeks for 4 treatments?) Proton therapy is currently only available in the US and is also fairly expensive; however, it is a lot less damaging to surrounding healthy tissues.
By raising funds on this page I hope to allow myself access to some of the best treatments available and to put myself into remission or extend my life as long as possible.
You are under no obligation to make a donation. Honestly your kind words and positive thoughts are more than enough. However if you do decide you would like to make a donation then it would greatly help me through the financial end of this battle.
The proceeds of this fundraiser will go towards the things that are not covered by B.C. Medical, E.I, Disability, Parental and family support etc. Any unused amounts at the end of all this will be donated to BC Cancer Foundation. No donation is too small. Every little bit helps and I will try and leave updates as to what the money has and will be used for.
Many of you are already following along on my "Leanne's Battle" personal facebook group. We started this facebook page as a way for me to spread awareness about cancer and to share my personal story. It is also a great place for me to get the support I need to fight this battle and keep many people updated on my ongoing status while avoiding the multiple emotionally draining phone conversations. Please feel free to suggest I add anyone to this site at any time and to help me spread the word! My goal is to help others who may experience this in their life time.
GoFundMe charges 5% for each donation received which comes directly out of (is not added to) your total donation. If you find this unreasonable I have also set up an e transfer option, please contact myself if you would like to contribute by this method instead.
Thank You. I Love you all so very much.
Leanne Harrison