Jennifers Medical Fund
Donation protected
Hello and thank you for taking the time to read about my story. I hope I can shed some light on breast cancer, the treatment and give updates to those following my treatment.
I am Jennifer Heath, and I am a breast cancer survivor, (Thriver!). I have no family history and was first diagnosed with Stage 3b Breast Cancer in 2008 at the age of 32. I am a patient at the University of Kansas Cancer Center-North, and I see Dr. Pluenneke.
In July of 2008 , I found a lump and had 3 surgeries initially to remove the disease, I started chemotherapy in August, this included 2 Chemo drugs taxotere, carboplatin and an antibody: Herceptin. Chemotherapy are IV drugs given through infusiuons using a port-a-catheter. The port is connected to a vein and is used when there are multiple treatments to spare the veins in the arms.
I also had 7 weeks of radiation, which can cause burning of the skin and fatigue. ( I was severely burned and tired).This is like gettng an x-ray, where you lay on a table, and this machine goes around you administering the radiation. You only hear a buzzing noise, you don't see or feel anything. It only takes about 5 minutes, but is done everyday for 7 weeks. It continues to build in your system for about 2 weeks after treatment stops, before it peaks and tapers off. My skin slowly turned red, and was severly burned over the 7 weeks, which required burn cream for relief.
I had to take Herceptin (through IV infusions) every 3 weeks for 1 year. This antibody does not have any side effects like other Chemo drugs. It does not affect the hair, or cause fatigue, and is used for advanced staged breast cancers that are "Her 2+" (Human Epideral Growth Factor Receptor 2 positive).
My disease was now in remission.
I had check ups every 3 months for a couple years, then "graduated" to every 6 months until June 2015, seven years after my initial diagnosis.
In the end of May 2015, I started having back pain that was pretty severe. I wasn't able to walk my dog, or do normal activities. I was very active doing yoga and cycling prior. I went to my primary doctor, who referred me to pain management to check on my bulging disc (which had been treated in 2011), thinking it was flared up again.
In the mean time I had my 6 month check up at the cancer center in June. My oncologist ordered an MRI, and made 3 attempts to get it, but my insurance denied all 3 attempts. My lab work came back normal, so I was really thinking I had irritated my bulging disc. I really felt I had nothing to worry about.
In the middle of this, I changed jobs in July, for many reasons. My back was still hurting and I finally got back to the pain clinic, who ordered the Thoracic MRI, (the pain was more in my ribs). It was approved by my new insurance (thank goodness!) and my spine lit up like a Christmas tree, positive for disease. The monster is back and in my thoracic vertebrae.
I was immediately sent to see my Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist for more tests and a treatment plan.
They ordered 2 weeks of radiation immediately to attack the disease and also to provide back pain relief. I did not have the burns this time like last time, thank goodness. But I did get severe fatigue. However, it helped relieve the back pain.
They needed to run a few more tests before startng chemotherapy. I had a CT scan, PET scan and an MRI of the brain. This showed that there was a small malignant spot on the back left side of my skullbone, but no other organs or bones are affected outside of my thoracic spine.
The new diagnosis is Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. (with 'Bone Mets' - meaning spread to the bone).
My treatment plan is 12 weekly chemotherapy infusions of Taxol. This started 10-02-15 and goes to December. I will once again receive the antibody Herceptin every 3 weeks along with a newer antibody Perjeta, indefinitely.
Every treatment plan is different, and depends on the type and stage of cancer. I hope this helps you understand my journey.
I am setting up this account to help with my prescription co-pays, insurance deductibles and co-insurance payments. Yes I do have insurance, but we all know there are significat out of pocket expenses that have to be paid first. This is not easy for me ask, as I am so independent, but this is not something I can do alone either. My out of pocket expenses for insurance is $6350 (annually) before I'm covered at %100. This does not include my prescription copays which will run around $1650, so that is where I came up with the $8000. This is all based on annual expenses.
The funds will be going directly to the MRI bills (St Lukes Hospital), the Cancer Center bills and my pharmacy.
No amount is too small, and every little bit helps. I greatly appreciate your time, your thoughts and prayers during my journey. I will be forever grateful.
I am Jennifer Heath, and I am a breast cancer survivor, (Thriver!). I have no family history and was first diagnosed with Stage 3b Breast Cancer in 2008 at the age of 32. I am a patient at the University of Kansas Cancer Center-North, and I see Dr. Pluenneke.
In July of 2008 , I found a lump and had 3 surgeries initially to remove the disease, I started chemotherapy in August, this included 2 Chemo drugs taxotere, carboplatin and an antibody: Herceptin. Chemotherapy are IV drugs given through infusiuons using a port-a-catheter. The port is connected to a vein and is used when there are multiple treatments to spare the veins in the arms.
I also had 7 weeks of radiation, which can cause burning of the skin and fatigue. ( I was severely burned and tired).This is like gettng an x-ray, where you lay on a table, and this machine goes around you administering the radiation. You only hear a buzzing noise, you don't see or feel anything. It only takes about 5 minutes, but is done everyday for 7 weeks. It continues to build in your system for about 2 weeks after treatment stops, before it peaks and tapers off. My skin slowly turned red, and was severly burned over the 7 weeks, which required burn cream for relief.
I had to take Herceptin (through IV infusions) every 3 weeks for 1 year. This antibody does not have any side effects like other Chemo drugs. It does not affect the hair, or cause fatigue, and is used for advanced staged breast cancers that are "Her 2+" (Human Epideral Growth Factor Receptor 2 positive).
My disease was now in remission.
I had check ups every 3 months for a couple years, then "graduated" to every 6 months until June 2015, seven years after my initial diagnosis.
In the end of May 2015, I started having back pain that was pretty severe. I wasn't able to walk my dog, or do normal activities. I was very active doing yoga and cycling prior. I went to my primary doctor, who referred me to pain management to check on my bulging disc (which had been treated in 2011), thinking it was flared up again.
In the mean time I had my 6 month check up at the cancer center in June. My oncologist ordered an MRI, and made 3 attempts to get it, but my insurance denied all 3 attempts. My lab work came back normal, so I was really thinking I had irritated my bulging disc. I really felt I had nothing to worry about.
In the middle of this, I changed jobs in July, for many reasons. My back was still hurting and I finally got back to the pain clinic, who ordered the Thoracic MRI, (the pain was more in my ribs). It was approved by my new insurance (thank goodness!) and my spine lit up like a Christmas tree, positive for disease. The monster is back and in my thoracic vertebrae.
I was immediately sent to see my Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist for more tests and a treatment plan.
They ordered 2 weeks of radiation immediately to attack the disease and also to provide back pain relief. I did not have the burns this time like last time, thank goodness. But I did get severe fatigue. However, it helped relieve the back pain.
They needed to run a few more tests before startng chemotherapy. I had a CT scan, PET scan and an MRI of the brain. This showed that there was a small malignant spot on the back left side of my skullbone, but no other organs or bones are affected outside of my thoracic spine.
The new diagnosis is Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. (with 'Bone Mets' - meaning spread to the bone).
My treatment plan is 12 weekly chemotherapy infusions of Taxol. This started 10-02-15 and goes to December. I will once again receive the antibody Herceptin every 3 weeks along with a newer antibody Perjeta, indefinitely.
Every treatment plan is different, and depends on the type and stage of cancer. I hope this helps you understand my journey.
I am setting up this account to help with my prescription co-pays, insurance deductibles and co-insurance payments. Yes I do have insurance, but we all know there are significat out of pocket expenses that have to be paid first. This is not easy for me ask, as I am so independent, but this is not something I can do alone either. My out of pocket expenses for insurance is $6350 (annually) before I'm covered at %100. This does not include my prescription copays which will run around $1650, so that is where I came up with the $8000. This is all based on annual expenses.
The funds will be going directly to the MRI bills (St Lukes Hospital), the Cancer Center bills and my pharmacy.
No amount is too small, and every little bit helps. I greatly appreciate your time, your thoughts and prayers during my journey. I will be forever grateful.
Organizer
Jennifer Heath
Organizer
Kansas City, MO