Carrie Durham's #CarriesFight4Life
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Hey ya'll. My name is Tiffany and I'm sitting here right now, getting ready to tell you a story about an incredible woman I've had the blessing to have in my life now for the last 12 years.
My sister-in-law, Carrie.
She has always been quick with a hug and smile and is full of life and positive energy. She takes things as they come with a positive twist and is always there for her family and friends. But 2020 has hit her in ways most of us can't even begin to imagine. And it all started with her losing her partner to a heart attack in March.
Joe loved Carrie with passion and he made her the happiest I had seen her in a long time. She had finally found her person, her love, her future. And then it was all taken away in a moment, while he laid in her arms as she watched him leave. And let me tell you, she came through that trial much better than I would have, had I lost someone I loved like that. She was strong and tried to keep a level head while she was going through the stages of grief and healing. I can't say I understand the pain and heartache, but I can say that I felt the loss she felt when I was with her after his passing.
During her healing period after that loss, she got another punch to the gut --- A couple months ago, the unthinkable happened. She went to see the doctor about what was thought to be possible sinus infection only to be admitted to UNC due to a dangerously low sodium count. After many unnerving days in the ER and on IVs and multiple tests later (including MRIs, CTs, etc), she was sent to UNC Oncology after being diagnosed with Stage 4 small cell Lung Cancer - a cancer with no cure, only treatment.
Can you imagine the thoughts running through her head - through ours when we heard ??? *Can't breathe, can't blink, can't comprehend the news. No cure? Stage 4? Lung Cancer? What does that mean?*
Stage 4, small cell, Lung Cancer. A cancer with no cure, only treatment. A cancer that starts in the center of the body and likes to spread quickly to the brain and other organs. After Oncology did a deeper dive round of testing it was determined that while it hasn't spread to her brain yet, it is currently in both her adrenal glands, liver, colon, both pelvic bones as well as her right femur bone. Metastasized throughout her body. A punch in the gut that would have most people down on their knees. Their whole life changed in an instant.
However, this girl?
This girl was positive right from the start and has been nothing but a fighter since. Her good attitude, courage, and determination while facing this has been nothing but inspirational!
Her oncologist started her on a treatment plan immediately. She is on a rotation of every 3rd week having 3 days of chemotherapy back to back - her first day being the longest with 4-5 hours and the next 2 consecutive days being 2+ hours each. She will be doing 4 rounds (12 weeks) of chemo and then continue an immunotherapy infusion which will help her immune system fight the cancer by flagging the actual cancer cells and targeting those.
Through constant prayers of family and friends AND by the grace of God, she is responding well so far! We all continue to pray that will be the case as her treatment progresses, and that when her doctors runs tests in February to see how the treatment plan is working, the outcome will be the best we can hope and pray for.
Along with this life changing journey she is now on, a pile of medical bills and every day life bills have started to grow. While her insurance has been great and covers much, between the physician and hospital charges, treatment charges and the time off from work required while in this stage of her journey, the pile is getting larger - and she is a single household salary and responsible for everything on her own. This is one of the LAST things she should be worried about during this period. And this is the last thing she would ever ask for - help of this nature. I want her focusing solely on her treatment and keeping a positive energy while she fights this cancer. And along those lines, living life to the fullest while she can is something I'd love to be able to provide as well. A chance to travel and see things she never has before and create memories that will last long after the experiences. A vision board of travel ideas started the moment she got out of the hospital!
Please help Carrie continue to fight with a positive spirit by prayers and contributing to help take some of the stress off from these unexpected bills and allow her some freedom to create memories after she is done with treatment next year.
Much love,
Tiffany
My sister-in-law, Carrie.
She has always been quick with a hug and smile and is full of life and positive energy. She takes things as they come with a positive twist and is always there for her family and friends. But 2020 has hit her in ways most of us can't even begin to imagine. And it all started with her losing her partner to a heart attack in March.
Joe loved Carrie with passion and he made her the happiest I had seen her in a long time. She had finally found her person, her love, her future. And then it was all taken away in a moment, while he laid in her arms as she watched him leave. And let me tell you, she came through that trial much better than I would have, had I lost someone I loved like that. She was strong and tried to keep a level head while she was going through the stages of grief and healing. I can't say I understand the pain and heartache, but I can say that I felt the loss she felt when I was with her after his passing.
During her healing period after that loss, she got another punch to the gut --- A couple months ago, the unthinkable happened. She went to see the doctor about what was thought to be possible sinus infection only to be admitted to UNC due to a dangerously low sodium count. After many unnerving days in the ER and on IVs and multiple tests later (including MRIs, CTs, etc), she was sent to UNC Oncology after being diagnosed with Stage 4 small cell Lung Cancer - a cancer with no cure, only treatment.
Can you imagine the thoughts running through her head - through ours when we heard ??? *Can't breathe, can't blink, can't comprehend the news. No cure? Stage 4? Lung Cancer? What does that mean?*
Stage 4, small cell, Lung Cancer. A cancer with no cure, only treatment. A cancer that starts in the center of the body and likes to spread quickly to the brain and other organs. After Oncology did a deeper dive round of testing it was determined that while it hasn't spread to her brain yet, it is currently in both her adrenal glands, liver, colon, both pelvic bones as well as her right femur bone. Metastasized throughout her body. A punch in the gut that would have most people down on their knees. Their whole life changed in an instant.
However, this girl?
This girl was positive right from the start and has been nothing but a fighter since. Her good attitude, courage, and determination while facing this has been nothing but inspirational!
Her oncologist started her on a treatment plan immediately. She is on a rotation of every 3rd week having 3 days of chemotherapy back to back - her first day being the longest with 4-5 hours and the next 2 consecutive days being 2+ hours each. She will be doing 4 rounds (12 weeks) of chemo and then continue an immunotherapy infusion which will help her immune system fight the cancer by flagging the actual cancer cells and targeting those.
Through constant prayers of family and friends AND by the grace of God, she is responding well so far! We all continue to pray that will be the case as her treatment progresses, and that when her doctors runs tests in February to see how the treatment plan is working, the outcome will be the best we can hope and pray for.
Along with this life changing journey she is now on, a pile of medical bills and every day life bills have started to grow. While her insurance has been great and covers much, between the physician and hospital charges, treatment charges and the time off from work required while in this stage of her journey, the pile is getting larger - and she is a single household salary and responsible for everything on her own. This is one of the LAST things she should be worried about during this period. And this is the last thing she would ever ask for - help of this nature. I want her focusing solely on her treatment and keeping a positive energy while she fights this cancer. And along those lines, living life to the fullest while she can is something I'd love to be able to provide as well. A chance to travel and see things she never has before and create memories that will last long after the experiences. A vision board of travel ideas started the moment she got out of the hospital!
Please help Carrie continue to fight with a positive spirit by prayers and contributing to help take some of the stress off from these unexpected bills and allow her some freedom to create memories after she is done with treatment next year.
Much love,
Tiffany
Organizer
Tiffany Durham
Organizer
Durham, NC