Carrie Is Tougher Than Cancer

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Our very dear friends Tom and Carrie Schmidt are in desperate need of our help. Carrie was diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer on December 12th. At that time a 1 inch mass was found. This is a very aggressive form of cancer, doctors were concerned that it may have already spread, the plan was to begin chemotherapy as soon as possible. Carrie had another MRI on December 21st with a plan to meet with the surgeon at Mayo Clinic on January 3rd to develop a treatment plan and possibly get chemotherapy started. On December 22nd Tom and Carrie received a call from the surgeon with the results from the recent MRI. It was not good news. Tom and Carrie learned that the original tumor has doubled in size and a new tumor has developed. With this devastating news, the timeline for treatment has become immediate and urgent. Carrie was able to get in for an emergency oncology appointment on the 22nd. At that appointment a PET scan was scheduled for Saturday December 24th at 8 am to determine if the cancer has spread and an echocardiogram was scheduled for Tuesday December 27th at 8 am to ensure her heart is strong enough for chemotherapy. The best treatment at this time will be 5-6 months of chemotherapy, a port will be placed for chemotherapy on January 3rd with the first round of chemo set to start on January 4th.

Tom and Carrie will both be approved for Family Medical Leave which thankfully will protect their jobs for them but they will not be paid for the time that they will need to take off. Carrie’s short term disability unfortunately does not provide full pay and Tom will not receive pay for any hours that he will be unable to work. Some of the existing medical expenses are already not covered in full by insurance and this is just the first of many appointments Medical costs are expensive and will add up quickly. In addition to out of pocket medical expenses, Tom and Carrie will have the outrageous cost of traveling to and from all of the medical appointments. All funds raised will be used to pay for the out of pockets costs, travel costs and any other costs incurred.

For those of you who know Carrie, you know that she is an extraordinary human being.  She is cheerful, loving, unbelievably strong and always puts her friends and family before herself.  Carrie is a loving mother to her son, Joey and her daughter Kylie. She is a woman of faith and the dedicated wife of Tom. Carrie is one of the strongest, most selfless people I have ever known and is always there to give her love and support to anyone. Tom, Carrie, Joey and Kylie are like family to us and I am sure to many of you as well. They have always supported their family and friends, including our family and maybe yours. Maybe you don’t even know The Schmidt Family but you have lost someone to breast cancer and or you have the ability to and desire to help ease the hardships that The Schmidt Family is facing, if that is you, please consider donating. Please anyone and everyone consider supporting this amazing family in any way you can.

It is time that we send our prayers, love and support to Carrie, Tom, Joey and Kylie. Anything you can donate will be truly appreciated.  Everything we can do to help and surround them with love is what is most important so she can focus on beating this thing.  Please spread the word, please share this fundraiser. The Schmidt Family are strong Christian believers and are asking for your prayers for healing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.