After-Care Fundraiser for Adele

Last October I was diagnosed with a reoccurrence of #breastcancer. I have been on treatment since February, and unfortunately was told last week that the cancer is still progressing.

On top of this devastating news, Monday I was shocked to find out my healthcare network UCSD is no longer accepting my insurance effective at the end of June. Out-of-pocket cost for my current treatments will exceed thousands of dollars. Needless to say, this is not something I can afford on my own.

With new growth in my liver and lungs, it is now considered Stage IV. While my current doctors do not have many options left for me, I am determined to not give up and find alternative help. I am raising the money I need to seek alternative cancer treatment at the Immunotherapy Institute. These funds will give me a chance at defeating cancer a second time and give me the quality of life I want in the coming months.

We are all experiencing turbulent challenges right now. I completely understand many are facing financial hardship. Even if you just share the fundraiser it will be appreciated. I express my deepest gratitude for any contribution you can make.

I love words of encouragement. However, please do not send excessive information on how to treat/cure cancer. This is overwhelming. Also please try to not say you are sorry to hear this news. Rather take a moment to close your eyes, take a deep breathe and envision me receiving the life saving treatments I need. When you have thoughts of worry about me, envision me with gray hair, standing with my grown son and my beloved husband. Taking the time to do so every time you think of me would mean so much to me.  Thank you and please keep me in your prayers.

Here is a little bit of history about me and my treatment practices to hopefully help you understand how these funds will be spent.

In addition to having the honor of being a mother and wife, I have dedicated part of my life to becoming an international Yoga Therapist and Be Well graduate. For over a decade I have loved being a dedicated Yoga Therapist, assisting many diverse and special populations.

I was first diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in 2017. I opted to have a mastectomy; but due to complications five subsequent surgeries followed.

I found Be Well donation-based classes provided me the inspiration I needed to get back on the yoga mat. I was given a scholarship to attend the Be Well teacher training in 2018. This training gave me the skills to work with others living with cancer. I desired to incorporate my new understanding of yoga for cancer recovery with yoga therapy. Be Well has given me the motivation to return to my purpose, even with more challenges to overcome.

In August 2019, an annual scan revealed questionable lymph nodes in my chest wall. A biopsy confirmed it was cancerous. An abdominal CT scan revealed a lesion on the liver, and a bone lesion on the sternum. I was told chemo would not be curative. I declined chemo and began targeted immunotherapy, as well as 15 rounds of radiation.

A scan last week revealed the spot on my liver had more than doubled. While the spots on the chest wall had shrunk, the doctors feel the treatment isn’t effective enough to stop the disease from progressing. At this time I want nothing more than to seek advanced treatments at the Immunotherapy Institute with the hopes of being cured, and to live to see my 11-year-old son become a grown man. I want to enjoy my new marriage for years to come, and most importantly I would love to give back to this world through gifts of yoga therapy. You have my deepest gratitude for any contribution you can make in assisting me with a chance at a longer and fulfilling life. Thank you.