Kim's fight against breast cancer

With permission from Kim and Chris, I have started this fundraiser on behalf of my brother and sister-in-law as they face their biggest battle yet. On February 14th, 2023, Kim received the devastating diagnosis that she has breast cancer - just two short months after welcoming their newest addition to their family. She has been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, ER+ PR+ HER2+. While her cancer is aggressive, we are so grateful for the recent advances in medicine that allow doctors to know the right treatment that will target this specific cancer. Due to her cancer being triple positive, Kim has already undergone extensive testing and procedures immediately after her diagnosis. She has begun chemotherapy with multiple treatments and surgeries in the future. Any donations for their family will be used to cover costs incurred from Kim's treatment and to keep life as normal as possible for their young children, Brooklyn (8 years old) and Jace (2 months old). Kim has been so brave as she faces this battle - below is her story in her own words:

Two and a half weeks before Jace was born Chris and I were relaxing on the couch late one Saturday night and to this day I have no idea what made me feel my left breast. I wasn’t having pain or anything, I just put my arm up and did my own little self-check. I felt a tiny lump… I was a little concerned but also knew that pregnancy causes many changes in the body. I had a regular pregnancy checkup scheduled a few days later and mentioned it to my gynecologist. They did a breast exam and then had me schedule an ultrasound. The ultrasound came back with suspicious findings and I was referred for a biopsy. In the midst of all of this, I gave birth and just tried my best to enjoy being a mom to a newborn again and enjoying our new family of 4. It was honestly the happiest I had ever been. Fast forward to weeks later after having another ultrasound, a mammogram and a biopsy (my 1 lump was now 3). I had a follow-up with a surgical oncologist on Valentine’s Day to go over my results, and that’s when I received my diagnosis. In the following weeks up until now I’ve had many different appointments and tests (and still have more upcoming tests scheduled). I got set up with my oncologist who has been great. Due to my cancer being triple positive and aggressive, she wanted me to start chemo treatment right away. So this past Monday (2 months to the day I went in for my induction to have Jace) I started chemo. Then on Wednesday, I went in for surgery to have a port placed for future treatments. So much has been happening and this is all honestly my worst nightmare come true.

Some things I know so far: I will lose all of my hair soon, I will have a double mastectomy and a possible hysterectomy (waiting on my genetic test results). I’m still processing it all but I am choosing to stay as positive as I possibly can.

I am 38 and mammograms aren’t recommended until 40. My advice is to be proactive and please do self-checks no matter your age and get those mammograms!

I would appreciate any prayers and good vibes that can be sent my way. I’m so grateful for the amazing support of my husband and our families. My fight has just begun and I have a long hard one ahead of me. I am now part of a club I never wanted to have anything to do with and I will do whatever it takes to beat this. It’s time to show my kids just how strong their Mama can be.