Friends and Family, the Ott's need our help!!

Crystal and Jarod have recently received the news from her doctors that her cancer treatment is no longer working. The chemotherapy she was receiving has to stop as it is now having a negative effect on her kidneys. This was devastating news for their family as she was also told there are no other options available for treatment for her in Canada.

Crystal’s first cancer diagnosis was October, 2013 when she very unexpectedly found out she had cervical cancer. She had a hysterectomy 2 months later and the surgery was a success. There was no further treatment needed as the cancer was gone! That was a huge relief and she continued with all of her follow up after that.

In July 2022, Crystal noticed a lump on her neck. This swollen lymph node would unknowingly be a return of cancer. The following days and weeks were filled with appts, ultrasound, and a biopsy. The results came back suspicious of squamous cell carcinoma. It was believed to be head/throat cancer so she underwent 7 biopsies in her mouth, tongue, and throat along with the removal of her tonsils. The results came back negative so still no answers. A CT scan and more tests would bring the results that her cervical cancer had returned …. Stage 4 Metastatic Cervical Cancer. This was a very very difficult reality to accept.

With a positive and hopeful mindset, this began the treatment plan of Chemotherapy along with Immunotherapy. And it was working! Her body responded well to the initial treatments. June of 2023 her CT scan showed the cancer was gone. This was great news! Finally! She remained on Immunotherapy, but no more chemo.

In October 2023 her bloodwork showed failure in her kidney function. Another scan was done and the results showed the cancer was back. This was unexpected so soon. More hard news. There were tumors on her kidney that resulted in another procedure and a nephrostomy bag was now required. She started a much stronger chemo treatment plan Nov 2023. It was a lot harder on her body this time. Many of her treatments had to be postponed as it was taking longer for her body to recover between treatments. After 3 rounds of treatment another scan was done and this time it showed no progress. The treatment was not working. She had the choice to stop treatment or continue. She chose to continue with chemo in hopes to slow down the cancer. The chemo is now causing failure in her kidneys and she no longer has the option to continue.

This was the devastating news they did not want or expect. And certainly not this soon. She has run out of options for treatment in Canada and now her only chance is out of country alternative treatment centers. They began researching clinics, sending her medical records, and talking with doctors. After calls with 4 doctors at 2 locations in the US and 2 in Mexico, they have made a decision. They are off to a treatment facility in Mexico and they need to get there quickly while she is still strong. The financial cost of this is outside of their ability as we all know how expensive these options are. We are looking to rally on their behalf in hopes that we can get them on their way! It is a 3 week in-patient program followed by out-patient care and then back for follow up. The funds raised will be used for travel for her and Jarod, the treatment costs, follow up appts, and time away from work. Her plan is to get there as soon as possible so she can be back for Jayden’s grade 8 graduation. The call with the Doctor today has her ideally starting treatment May 27th.

This may be the end of the road for options in Canada, but the fight within Crystal is far from over! She has had the strongest and most positive approach since the beginning!! She is self-employed and has continued to work through all of her treatments. She schedules all of her clients around her treatment schedule and just keeps pushing through. I don’t even know how she does it. She is the first to admit she is stubborn and determined and she is not backing down now!

If you are able to make a donation - Crystal, Jarod, Haley, and Jayden would be so so grateful!! Believe me when I say anything helps!