Help Caitlyn Fight Against Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer

In November 2023, our world was turned upside down when my wife, Caitlyn, was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. After months of grueling chemotherapy, which she finished in May of this year, Caitlyn underwent a double mastectomy and axillary lymph node removal in June. In late August, a scan revealed a small resurgence of cancer in a lymph node. While the scan was otherwise clear, Caitlyn had to begin radiation therapy in mid-September.

A week into radiation, she began having trouble breathing. An X-ray showed cloudiness in her left lung, which her doctors originally thought could be pneumonia. After a round of antibiotics with no improvement, she went to the ER for an emergency CT scan, which revealed that the cloudiness in the original scan was not infection, but cancer. In just one week, it had spread to both lungs. Just when we thought we could breathe again, it turns out that Caitlyn’s fight was going into round 2.

Caitlyn is now battling invasive lymphangitic carcinoma, and after completing her third week of radiation, has started another round of chemotherapy.

In October 2022, we welcomed our beautiful daughter, Ruth, into the world—just one year before Caitlyn’s diagnosis. We are now navigating a future where we want Ruth to have as many moments with her mother as possible, creating memories that will last her a lifetime.

We have reached out to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix and have an appointment with an oncologist who specializes in TNBC with metastasis, in the hopes of prolonging Caitlyn’s life.

While Caitlyn demonstrated unbelievable determination during her initial phases of chemotherapy, working nearly full-time throughout her treatment, her health is now our top priority. Thankfully, she will still be able to retain her insurance through her job at NKW CPA, which has been a tremendous help in covering many of her medical bills.

Caitlyn has shown incredible strength through all of this. While close friends and family have been aware of her journey until this point, we have kept most of the details private.

But now, we need YOUR help.

With our new plan of attack and renewed hope, bills that won’t be covered by health insurance will begin to pile up, including the added costs of travel, lodging, caring for Ruth, and some specialized treatments.

Other everyday expenses are beginning to become a burden as well, such as costs associated with the care of our 3 dogs and general monthly expenses.

Your support would mean the world to us, and every contribution, no matter the size, helps us focus on what’s most important: Caitlyn’s health and our time together as a family.

Our initial trip to Phoenix will cost around $2300. Hopefully any subsequent trips will be less expensive as our timeline will be less rushed and we can book cheaper flights.

Other current recurring costs include a payment plan set up with the Intermountain Health Cancer Center and Billings Radiology Associates.

Outside of medical costs, Catilyn's income is dropping by about 70% during this phase of treatment.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, generosity, and most importantly, your support.

With love and gratitude,

Michael, Caitlyn, and Ruth Montoya