Help Patty On Her Journey To Be Cancer Free

Hello, this is Myah, Patty's daughter, helper/advocate and organizer of this fundraiser. Unfortunately, our beloved Matriarch, Mother of 8, and Grandmother of 17, has been diagnosed with stage 3c Cervical Cancer. Stage 3c means that it has spread beyond the reproductive system and has taken hold in the surrounding lymph nodes, ready to metastasize. Thankfully, it does not yet appear to have spread to more distant organs, and it is still very treatable, so treat it, we shall! 

We are still learning more about her immediate and longer-term options, but we know we need to act fast and hope to get the best treatment possible. We were initially told that "proton therapy was not for her" or not available for GYN cancers. Upon further research, we discovered that it was indeed available for her. As of now, she is scheduled to begin Proton Therapy at Maryland Proton Therapy Center Monday, Sept. 12th. 

A bit about Proton therapy from John's Hopkins: Proton therapy, also known as proton beam therapy, is a radiation treatment that precisely delivers a beam of protons to disrupt and destroy tumor cells. The proton beam kills the tumor cells and spares more of the surrounding healthy tissue. Compared with traditional radiation, protons have unique properties that allow doctors to target radiation better to the size and shape of the tumor.

From what we gather, proton therapy will more than likely replace traditional radiation as machines become more ubiquitous. Currently, there are 38 proton beam therapy centers in the US, with 4 being built, set to open. One will be in Charlotte, NC, but presently there are none in NC, which is why she will have to relocate for treatment.

We also hope to implement lifestyle and nutrition adjustments to minimize stress and maximize her body's innate ability to heal. She will stay with Chris and I in our peaceful home in Fredericksburg, VA from which we will be commuting 4 hours daily to and from MPTC in Baltimore. The commute may become challenging, especially as treatment progresses, so we will likely need lodging for at least a week or two during treatment.

We are hoping to raise funds for:

Loss of income: $8,400

Co-pays: $5,000

Travel expenses: $1,600

Lodging: $2,000

Supportive therapies/supplements: $1,000

We are fortunate to have many who love her and want to support her as she begins her journey back to health. We are already seeing her people rally around her. The time has come to give back to someone who has given so much. This battle that no one wants or deserves to face is certainly made easier with the help of friends and family. Thank you so much for your caring and support during this critical time.

In hope and gratitude,

Myah