Help Linda Traylor Conquer Cancer
Donation protected
Linda Traylor is currently battling Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the bile duct. She is an amazing woman, and I (her daughter, Alicia) am setting up this page to assist with upcoming medical costs, as well as to keep friends and family informed of her fearless fight.
Please read below for the story of how we got here.
March 18th - Now:
On March 18th, Linda went to her general physician complaining of abdominal pain.
It wasn't constant, and when it was there it wasn't always painful; if you know Linda, you know she insisted she was fine and continued being the selfless friend and mother that she is, with little thought to her own minor discomfort.
Then came the night when the pain was so intense that she could barely move for 5 hours.
After the visit to the GP, we were under the impression that she was experiencing a gallbladder issue.
The GP visit led to an ultrasound on Thursday morning, March 21st, which led to a CT scan later that same day, which led to an emergency room visit that same night.
I happened to be in town, arriving from Denver on Wednesday the 20th, and am so grateful I was with my mom as all of this unraveled.
The ultrasound uncovered masses along my mom's bile duct (the duct that conveys bile from the liver and the gallbladder to the small intestines).
The CT scan confirmed the size and location, and my mom's doctor recommended we immediately check into the ER for a stint in the bile duct. He was worried that, with no action, the masses would create blockage and lead to an infection.
After some time in the ER, we learned that the stint was not immediately necessary (but needed to be done within a few days), and that we would have to stay the night in order to meet with the on-call oncologist and gastroenterologist the following morning. We armed ourselves with referrals and advice (thanks Bob Mazur!) and checked ourselves out.
The following morning (Friday, the 22nd), the oncologist called my mom and said to come in right away, that he would squeeze her in that morning. We were grateful to Dr. Bob Mazur and our ER doctor – Dr. Kenny – for their part in that quick turnaround – and we were so glad we didn't stay all night at the ER for the same result!
We had heard "masses" for over 24 hours now, but this appointment was when we actually heard the word we had been regarding with building dread: cancer. Cholangiocarcinoma: Bile Duct Cancer. "At least stage 3."
The oncologist recommended a gastroenterologist, who was also able to see my mom quickly – the following Monday.
She drove out later that same day for a pre-op visit (which turned out to be unnecessary - just excuse to drive from Richmond Hill into the hospitals in Savannah for the 5th time in 2 days).
We enjoyed our weekend together as much as we could, and arrived Monday morning, March 25th, for an endoscopy, stint, and a "dusting" of the tumors. The stint was to prevent blockage, and the dusting confirmed the cancer. Of multiple masses, fortunately only 1 was malignant.
The tumor was too large to remove at this time, so the plan was set into action: 4 rounds of chemo, shrink that SOB, and remove it.
My mom was ready to start immediately; we were all battle-ready, antsy to get the process started. Insurance had other plans, and took over two weeks to approve the treatment plan.
On April 2nd, my mom had her port put in.
On April 5th, she had a PET scan to record pre-treatment tumor information.
On April 12th, she had her first round of chemo.
When I asked how it went, her response was (paraphrased): "I get to relax in a chair and watch Netflix all day. I even had Chick Fil A delivered to me for lunch! (thanks Nana!)"
The plan was chemo on Fridays back-to-back weeks, then a week off; that's 1 cycle. 4 cycles total. Then another PET scan and hopefully surgery to remove the tumor.
Meanwhile, my mom has been talking to MD Anderson in Houston, a top-rated cancer hospital. This is where she plans to actually have the surgery done.
She made an appointment with them for after the 4th cycle (June 25th), where she will meet her team and get started on surgery/further treatment plans.
Now:
After 3 rounds – 9 weeks – of chemo, my mom was experiencing major abdominal discomfort, regardless of the pain medication she was prescribed.
She was leaving Friday, May 31st to visit me in Denver and wanted to check in with the Oncologist to make sure she was still okay to travel.
On Wednesday, May 29th, she went in for another CT scan and heard back on Thursday:
Not only had the tumor not shrunk, it had grown by 10%.
We are NOT moving forward with round 4 of chemo, as it is clearly a waste of time in this situation.
We are currently waiting to hear back from the Mayo clinic, where hopefully she can get in late next week or early the following week.
At the Mayo Clinic, they will perform DNA testing on the tumor itself; the goal is, rather than following a general chemo plan, to be able to target a plan particular to the makeup of her exact tumor.
We (especially Marci Goodloe <3) are also investigating alternative options.
Here is where this GoFundMe comes in:
We've tried the traditional route; it didn't work.
We are now entering the more experimental treatment options, which are not covered by insurance.
My mom is the most selfless, loving, joyful woman, who has positively-impacted the lives of so many. She is young, she is so strong, and she is (otherwise) healthy.
She will beat this, but these next steps are expensive. I know many of you love her as much as I do; we're grateful for anything you can do to help - even if that just means sharing her story and sending her your thoughts, love, and prayers.
Love to all, and thank you in advance!
Alicia Traylor Palmer


Please read below for the story of how we got here.
March 18th - Now:
On March 18th, Linda went to her general physician complaining of abdominal pain.
It wasn't constant, and when it was there it wasn't always painful; if you know Linda, you know she insisted she was fine and continued being the selfless friend and mother that she is, with little thought to her own minor discomfort.
Then came the night when the pain was so intense that she could barely move for 5 hours.
After the visit to the GP, we were under the impression that she was experiencing a gallbladder issue.
The GP visit led to an ultrasound on Thursday morning, March 21st, which led to a CT scan later that same day, which led to an emergency room visit that same night.
I happened to be in town, arriving from Denver on Wednesday the 20th, and am so grateful I was with my mom as all of this unraveled.
The ultrasound uncovered masses along my mom's bile duct (the duct that conveys bile from the liver and the gallbladder to the small intestines).
The CT scan confirmed the size and location, and my mom's doctor recommended we immediately check into the ER for a stint in the bile duct. He was worried that, with no action, the masses would create blockage and lead to an infection.
After some time in the ER, we learned that the stint was not immediately necessary (but needed to be done within a few days), and that we would have to stay the night in order to meet with the on-call oncologist and gastroenterologist the following morning. We armed ourselves with referrals and advice (thanks Bob Mazur!) and checked ourselves out.
The following morning (Friday, the 22nd), the oncologist called my mom and said to come in right away, that he would squeeze her in that morning. We were grateful to Dr. Bob Mazur and our ER doctor – Dr. Kenny – for their part in that quick turnaround – and we were so glad we didn't stay all night at the ER for the same result!
We had heard "masses" for over 24 hours now, but this appointment was when we actually heard the word we had been regarding with building dread: cancer. Cholangiocarcinoma: Bile Duct Cancer. "At least stage 3."
The oncologist recommended a gastroenterologist, who was also able to see my mom quickly – the following Monday.
She drove out later that same day for a pre-op visit (which turned out to be unnecessary - just excuse to drive from Richmond Hill into the hospitals in Savannah for the 5th time in 2 days).
We enjoyed our weekend together as much as we could, and arrived Monday morning, March 25th, for an endoscopy, stint, and a "dusting" of the tumors. The stint was to prevent blockage, and the dusting confirmed the cancer. Of multiple masses, fortunately only 1 was malignant.
The tumor was too large to remove at this time, so the plan was set into action: 4 rounds of chemo, shrink that SOB, and remove it.
My mom was ready to start immediately; we were all battle-ready, antsy to get the process started. Insurance had other plans, and took over two weeks to approve the treatment plan.
On April 2nd, my mom had her port put in.
On April 5th, she had a PET scan to record pre-treatment tumor information.
On April 12th, she had her first round of chemo.
When I asked how it went, her response was (paraphrased): "I get to relax in a chair and watch Netflix all day. I even had Chick Fil A delivered to me for lunch! (thanks Nana!)"
The plan was chemo on Fridays back-to-back weeks, then a week off; that's 1 cycle. 4 cycles total. Then another PET scan and hopefully surgery to remove the tumor.
Meanwhile, my mom has been talking to MD Anderson in Houston, a top-rated cancer hospital. This is where she plans to actually have the surgery done.
She made an appointment with them for after the 4th cycle (June 25th), where she will meet her team and get started on surgery/further treatment plans.
Now:
After 3 rounds – 9 weeks – of chemo, my mom was experiencing major abdominal discomfort, regardless of the pain medication she was prescribed.
She was leaving Friday, May 31st to visit me in Denver and wanted to check in with the Oncologist to make sure she was still okay to travel.
On Wednesday, May 29th, she went in for another CT scan and heard back on Thursday:
Not only had the tumor not shrunk, it had grown by 10%.
We are NOT moving forward with round 4 of chemo, as it is clearly a waste of time in this situation.
We are currently waiting to hear back from the Mayo clinic, where hopefully she can get in late next week or early the following week.
At the Mayo Clinic, they will perform DNA testing on the tumor itself; the goal is, rather than following a general chemo plan, to be able to target a plan particular to the makeup of her exact tumor.
We (especially Marci Goodloe <3) are also investigating alternative options.
Here is where this GoFundMe comes in:
We've tried the traditional route; it didn't work.
We are now entering the more experimental treatment options, which are not covered by insurance.
My mom is the most selfless, loving, joyful woman, who has positively-impacted the lives of so many. She is young, she is so strong, and she is (otherwise) healthy.
She will beat this, but these next steps are expensive. I know many of you love her as much as I do; we're grateful for anything you can do to help - even if that just means sharing her story and sending her your thoughts, love, and prayers.
Love to all, and thank you in advance!
Alicia Traylor Palmer
Fundraising team: Team Linda (4)
Alicia Palmer
Organizer
Richmond Hill, GA
Linda Traylor
Beneficiary
Marci Goodloe
Team member
Craig Goodloe
Team member