Fundraiser for Terrie Reckard

Those who are fortunate enough to know Terrie Reckard know that she is quite easily one of the most positive, strong, and selfless people in the world. Terrie has been fighting an aggressive brain tumor, resulting in multiple surgeries and treatments that have made her even sicker in hopes that they could heal her, all the while remaining a positive and shiny ray of hope. Through it all, Terrie has refused to quit--she continued living life to the fullest all while constantly putting others first. Terrie was and is the first person to volunteer her help, whether at work or on the outside. Through the cold winter months, Terrie quietly gathers supplies and delivers them to homeless families on the weekends. Terrie has always led many initiatives to help families in need and organized Adopting Families during the holidays.  Terrie has also has hosted amazing parties where every attendee received generous gifts. Terrie is a consummate giver and never asks for anything in return. 
 
Even in the darkest times, Terrie refused to let her illness keep her down. If the latest treatment she was undergoing failed, she'd look forward to the next one. When they made her even sicker, she refused to complain and simply pushed forward. Terrie has worked through a global pandemic, risking her health due to a weakened immune system, all without complaint.
 
Now after years of fighting, Terrie has reached a point where her tumor continues to grow and has become unresponsive to treatment. She is at risk of losing her sight, and even her life. 
 
Terrie is facing the choice between a much-needed medical retirement that she cannot afford or continuing to work in order to support herself and her family. So now, we're asking for your help. No matter how small, every cent can help Terrie be able to fight for her life without having to further risk her health and safety. 

 #TEAMTERRIE
 
Terrie's Full Story:
 
In 1996, at the age of 25, Terrie underwent her first surgery for a pituitary tumor.  To try and catch any hidden remaining tumor cells, she had  In case there were any hidden cells, she was required to undergo daily radiation treatments for a complete month. Before starting the radiation, she had to sign a waiver saying that there was a 3% chance that another tumor could form.

Unfortunately, Terrie was part of that 3%. 21 years later, after experiencing head and eye issues, doctors confirmed that another tumor was present. In 2017, Terrie had to undergo another skull surgery. Unfortunately, there was limited extraction as the tumor had grown around and through her optic nerves and sadly attached itself to her carotid artery. The goal of the surgery was to try to kill the blood supply of the tumor, however, 3 months after surgery, the tumor started to grow again.  As if this was not enough Terrie was about to get more devastating news. 

In fall 2016 Terrie was also diagnosed with liver disease NASH non-alcoholic cirrhosis.  She has never touched a drug, never smoked, and only occasionally had a drink.  Her curse was she loved eating which led to a fatty enlarged liver. She was scared to death because she lost her brother to liver disease and she only found out it was too late to reverse the damage.  She went to a liver specialist to and was told she was in stage 4 cirrhosis only to find out days later she was stage 4 fibrosis going into cirrhosis.  Those days were EXTREMELY tough at the Reckard household thinking her days were numbered but unfortunately, what was not wrong, she will eventually need a liver transplant.  Either they have tried to get her into test studies for the liver fibrosis but the brain tumor was a no or having the cirrhosis was a no.  At that point, they gave her 4 years at which time a transplant will be a discussion BUT in the end, the liver specialist says we have to get the head resolved before we can address the liver.  Having these issues and even the thought of catching the average cold worries her.

In 2017/2018 Terrie completed the now-famous Laser Proton Therapy treatments twice a day for an entire month.  After completion, Terrie made it 9 months only to see new growth appear on the MRI.

Both the University of MD and Johns Hopkins hospitals took Terrie to their tumor board and both concluded that she should take part in a special NYU test study. Terrie drove back and forth from NYC every 8 weeks for months in order to be given a form of a nuclear drug cocktail followed by a 6-hour amino acid treatment to protect her organs from the drug. For each treatment, she drove to NYC back home the same day. After each treatment, Terrie could not be around other people for 7 days due to her residual radioactivity--she even had to sleep on a cot to ensure she did not contaminate her mattress. Terrie spent her 50th birthday confined to her bedroom, as it coincided with one of her treatments. 

Sadly, after completing the grueling NYU treatments, Terrie was met yet again with a negative outcome.  The drug caused Terrie to lose 100% eyesight in her left eye, and yet the tumor continued to grow.

Terrie now has a 50/50 chance of going completely blind as the tumor has reached her right eye is causing swelling on the brain in addition to a new pituitary cyst that has formed.  The Hopkins board has refused any additional surgery.  Within the next month, Terrie will begin treatment with two test drugs in hope that they can shrink the tumor to prevent total blindness.

Terrie has always tried to work when she is able but when she has had to exhaust her leave even that has not been easy.  Because her issues are reoccurring conditions they are not covered under any leave program. Unfortunately, Terrie cannot afford to go on disability retirement. She has begun selling her belongings to try to make extra money in order to pay off bills before she's forced into retirement due to her health issues. 

Let's all do what we can to be there for Terrie and help her as she has helped so many of us!