Christine's Hope

Christine Richardson developed a severe headache for over two weeks in May 2019. She went to the local hospital and it was found that she had a malignant brain tumor. She had surgery to remove the tumor but was told that a brain tumor was secondary to an unknown primary source of cancer. After going through radiation treatments, evaluations with other specialists and numerous scans and MRI’s no primary source of cancer was found, and she went back to work in October 2019. She would continue to have scans and tests. A week after returning to work, she had a seizure and went unconscious. When paramedics arrived she had another one while in the ambulance and then a third in the ER at the hospital. Once at the hospital it was determined that she had an infection in her skull where the tumor was removed. Another brain surgery was performed and then several weeks of IV antibiotics. She returned back to work in November 2019 and seemed to be doing well. Then in January 2020 her scan showed a tumor in the left lining of the lung. After a second opinion at Mayo Clinic she was told the primary source of cancer is still unknown. She started infusion treatment and then was told in March 2020 that she had stage 4 lung cancer. Christine has never smoked a day in her life. She has squamous cell cancer and has been told it will never be cured but will be “managed” throughout the rest of her life. This type of cancer should not have gone to the brain or lungs per the specialists, but it did. This makes her case very unusual. She started chemotherapy along with immune therapy as well as having her lung drained twice a week. After two months, she was given some good news….the tumor was shrinking and the fluid in her lung was decreasing. Just as she was taking in the good news, she has had another set back. She started having shortness of breath and could not make it up her stairs or walk any distance. Another hospitalization where they have found something in both lungs. She is on oxygen and currently going through a battery of tests to determine what it is. She is awaiting biopsies of both lungs but is not able to undergo the procedure due to blood issues. She is having blood and platelet transfusions to get her blood counts up so the bronchoscopy can be performed. Talking and any exertion exacerbates the shortness of breath.

Christine is a wife of over 34 years, has three children and two grandchildren. She is a Christian and was very active in her church. Her husband had to retire from his job to be able to take care of her and take her to weekly appointments. She is no longer able to drive due to being on anti-seizure medications. She has now been told she will no longer be able to manage the stairs in her home where she shares the master bedroom and bathroom as well as her office. Modifications will need to be done to the home to accommodate her and her husband. They have mounting hospital and doctor bills and her husband has depleted his retirement trying to stay afloat with all the bills. Their lives have been completely turned upside down. They could use any monetary donation that people can afford to give.

Through all of this, Christine has never lost her positive attitude and outlook. She is an inspiration to us all. THANK YOU!!