Help Kim Beat Stage 3 Triple Neg Breast Cancer

KIM’S STORY . . .

Kim has always been the one to make sure that if someone is in deep water and needs a little help, she’s there to grab their hand. It’s her turn, she’s in deep water and needs a hand.

In June 2022, Kim was diagnosed with Stage1 Triple Negative Breast Cancer, and underwent a lumpectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy, ending in November 2022. In June 2023, she got the news it was back – recurrent, Stage3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. She’s been going through very aggressive chemotherapy since July. Her latest mammogram has determined that it is in fact radiation and chemotherapy resistant. A double mastectomy has been scheduled for late November 2023.

Kim and her husband, Glenn, live in a very rural area, two hour-round trips for oncology appointments and five hour-round trips for all other doctors’ visits. They usually make one to two trips per week, and she can’t work on those days, or on days when she’s too sick from the effects of chemo. Kim works in the service industry at a home health agency that has been super supportive (and says all the time how grateful she is for their support). She has exhausted all other avenues to pay for the staggering costs of needed treatment. On days she can physically hold her head up, she pushes herself to get to work to try to get enough hours to qualify for health insurance, without it, treatment would be impossible.

The copays, deductibles, and travel expenses have become overwhelming to their modest household income. Now, for two years of meeting deductibles and paying out-of-pocket expenses, Kim and Glenn’s savings are wiped out and credit cards maxed. In 2024 (which is coming fast), it will be the same…as in January they start all over again. She will need 6-month CT scans to monitor the cancers recurrence, at the cost of $3000 each. Insurance will not cover immunotherapy until it returns after mastectomy and she has been assured that it will indeed return, therefore she will start applying for clinical trials. Although the trials are at no cost, the travel expenses, lodging and food are not covered, and the closest center is 7 hours from her home. The estimated cost would be around $1000 per month.

Glenn, 67, is Kim’s sole caregiver. Glenn has his own health issues with stage three emphysema, lung cancer and congestive heart failure, which leaves them depending on his Social Security for his primary income.

Kim said, “…I love my life and will fight as hard as I can for as long as I can. We have worked too hard for too long to build a modest life that we can maintain once we’re too old to work. Going into debt that we couldn’t possibly repay is not an option…”

Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in Kim’s fight against this formidable foe. Kim has never asked for a handout and leads a very modest lifestyle, but she needs a hand right now. We set up this request to allow her to financially tread water, get the treatment she needs to be able to lead a simple, happy, and healthy life.

If you have a social media following who may contribute at your urging and you are willing to post this, that will help immensely and will be greatly appreciated.

With heartfelt gratitude,

A loving, devoted husband, Glenn Bertelson,

A hopeful and loving little sister and brother-in-law, Holly Webb Lafontaine and Lee Lafontaine,

A dedicated and loving son and daughter-in-law, SMSgt (retired) Nathan Wages and Syliva Wages,

A caring and loving daughter, Katherine Preffer Holmes; and

Many other family members and friends who love and support Kim during this battle