Kari's Fight: Stage 4 Metastatic Disease (Cancer)

Hello, my name is Brian Reilly and here is the story of my sister Kari Gantz.

Kari resides in Pennsylvania with her husband Brad and two boys Parker (13) and Ethan (9). Times have been tough lately for them as my sister's cancer has returned and Brad's father recently passed April 7th of this year, due to cancer.

This is a fundraiser to help her family as they embark on a second, more aggressive and longer chemo treatment that Kari will be tasked with.

This all started in March 2020. Kari got the devastating news that she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. The following month she had her surgery and went through 4 rounds of chemo completing her journey with tests coming back negative.

Now 3 years after the first diagnostic and a routine check-up the Breast Cancer has returned and moved up to Stage 4 Metastatic Disease.

Updated Daily:

August 24th, 2024: Kari is home, home is set up with hospice and Kari is on Oxygen.

August 21st, 2024: PET scan, cancer spread, chemo is not working. Decision to not move forward with treatment. Kari will be receiving comfort care with help of hospice.

August 5th, 2024: Changes in diet, short of breath, stent put in, radiation treatment

July 30th, 2024: Lump in throat, larger lymph nodes in chest (Positive)

June 15th, 2024: Back in the hospital, change in chemo.

May 21st, 2024: Started new treatment in February. Received results that stated the chemo on medication is not working. (Bones + Liver)

January 26th, 2024: Getting new opinion at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Spots on Liver, Shoulder, Spine and other areas have grown. Medication has not worked.

JANUARY 2024: Reached $5,000 goal! Thank you for all your support!

October 29th, 2023: More pain, blasting procedure

October 13th, 2023: More pain, 1.2cm Kidney Stone

October 3rd, 2023: Admitted to hospital for pain. Determined Metastatic disease in bone fracture.

July 7th, 2023: Started a new medication to target estrogen and cancer cells.

June 16th, 2023: Spots in/on head are not METASTATIC, concern is liver.

May 11th, 2023: New doctor in Philly agreed to continue chemo treatment.

April 21st, 2023: Results State Stage 4 Metastatic Disease, "Red Devil" Chemo down to 4 Rounds and change of medication. Cancer in Esophagus, Armbit. Spots for Concern Head and Liver.

April 21st, 2023: Funeral for Brad's Dad (Cancer)

April 19th, 2023: Chemo, 8 Rounds "Red Devil"

March 2023: Cancer Returned- Stage 3

April 2021: 1 year Cancer Free

July 2020: Chemo Done

June 2020: Kari and Support Team shave their heads!

May 2020: Started 4 Rounds of Chemo

April 2020: Surgery

March 2020: Diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer.

"Please please please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers, especially our boys. They are both having a hard time with this but that’s to be expected. Please pray that we can help ease their minds as this process starts and continues. I can’t thank you all enough for all the love and support through the last three years and the months to come. I am truly blessed to have a family like all of you to help us through this and we love you all."

Any donations will be used to help support any medical bills and monthly living expenses. We greatly appreciate you!!

We will continue to post updates and share news as we receive them. Thank you for your help and support!

You can also follow Kari on her Facebook Group, Just a Litle Detour! https://www.facebook.com/groups/527001874920818

#GANTZSTRONG