Susans journey -Endometrial stromal sarcoma cancer
Donation protected
In March of 2019, my mom, Susan Bayless, was diagnosed with Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma, a very rare form of cancer that is incurable and terminal. This cancer affects 1-2 women per million.
Susan had been seeing a chiropractor to treat back pain when a CT scan was ordered to eliminate a possible broken rib. The CT scan showed several tumors which had attached to the soft bones of her spine and a large tumor in her abdomen. The tumors attached to the soft bones of her spine were causing weakness in her legs and without an emergency surgery to remove the tumors – and the vertebrae they were attached to – she would’ve been paralyzed.
Chemotherapy was delayed nearly 7 weeks while she recovered from surgery and she was able to begin radiation therapy to the spine, but the tumor in her abdomen went untreated during this period.
After my mom completed 9 grueling weeks of chemotherapy, a second CT scan showed the abdominal tumor had nearly doubled in size – from 13cm to 20cm (5 inches to 8 inches) – and the chemotherapy had not been effective. In fact, it had the opposite effect on the tumor! Additional surgery is no longer an option as the tumor has attached to her abdominal wall, internal organs, and become entangled with her intestines.
Chemotherapy has been hellish. The side effects have been extensive and exhaustive. From hair loss to changes in appetite and energy, she has struggled to maintain her strength and keep her spirits up. She is no longer able to drive and walking, even short distances, leaves her out of breath and without energy. Swallowing is difficult due to the size and location of the tumor within her abdomen.
On July 31st she started a new chemotherapy which is administered every 28 days. After 2 rounds she will do another CT scan to determine if the new chemo has been effective at reducing the tumors. The doctors told us if this chemo doesn’t work, she won’t make it past Thanksgiving or Christmas of this year.
As if the diagnosis and treatment of this rare cancer isn’t enough, Susan’s short term disability ended on July 22nd along with her employer-provided insurance. If she is to maintain her current health insurance, she must do so through COBRA, totaling nearly $1,000.00/mo. The partial income from short term disability ended on July 22nd and while she has been able to protect her position within the company through FMLA, she no longer has income to cover continued health insurance, medications or daily expenses such as rent, utilities and transportation.
Your donation is impactful as it will provide immediate relief. Funds will be used to pay for prescriptions which are being held at the pharmacy until COBRA becomes active. This, along with housing costs such as rent and utilities, are the most pressing needs to ensure my mom is able to continue her fight.
Please donate today – no amount is too small. Every dollar helps my mom keep fighting and will ease the heavy burden of this difficult journey and dim prognosis.
We are also going to be having a benefit for Susan on Saturday, September 7th 2019 at the Prior Lake VFW. Tickets are $10.00 and additional information can be found on my Facebook page.
Susan had been seeing a chiropractor to treat back pain when a CT scan was ordered to eliminate a possible broken rib. The CT scan showed several tumors which had attached to the soft bones of her spine and a large tumor in her abdomen. The tumors attached to the soft bones of her spine were causing weakness in her legs and without an emergency surgery to remove the tumors – and the vertebrae they were attached to – she would’ve been paralyzed.
Chemotherapy was delayed nearly 7 weeks while she recovered from surgery and she was able to begin radiation therapy to the spine, but the tumor in her abdomen went untreated during this period.
After my mom completed 9 grueling weeks of chemotherapy, a second CT scan showed the abdominal tumor had nearly doubled in size – from 13cm to 20cm (5 inches to 8 inches) – and the chemotherapy had not been effective. In fact, it had the opposite effect on the tumor! Additional surgery is no longer an option as the tumor has attached to her abdominal wall, internal organs, and become entangled with her intestines.
Chemotherapy has been hellish. The side effects have been extensive and exhaustive. From hair loss to changes in appetite and energy, she has struggled to maintain her strength and keep her spirits up. She is no longer able to drive and walking, even short distances, leaves her out of breath and without energy. Swallowing is difficult due to the size and location of the tumor within her abdomen.
On July 31st she started a new chemotherapy which is administered every 28 days. After 2 rounds she will do another CT scan to determine if the new chemo has been effective at reducing the tumors. The doctors told us if this chemo doesn’t work, she won’t make it past Thanksgiving or Christmas of this year.
As if the diagnosis and treatment of this rare cancer isn’t enough, Susan’s short term disability ended on July 22nd along with her employer-provided insurance. If she is to maintain her current health insurance, she must do so through COBRA, totaling nearly $1,000.00/mo. The partial income from short term disability ended on July 22nd and while she has been able to protect her position within the company through FMLA, she no longer has income to cover continued health insurance, medications or daily expenses such as rent, utilities and transportation.
Your donation is impactful as it will provide immediate relief. Funds will be used to pay for prescriptions which are being held at the pharmacy until COBRA becomes active. This, along with housing costs such as rent and utilities, are the most pressing needs to ensure my mom is able to continue her fight.
Please donate today – no amount is too small. Every dollar helps my mom keep fighting and will ease the heavy burden of this difficult journey and dim prognosis.
We are also going to be having a benefit for Susan on Saturday, September 7th 2019 at the Prior Lake VFW. Tickets are $10.00 and additional information can be found on my Facebook page.
Organizer
Kristy Kaiser
Organizer
Shakopee, MN