Stage IV Cancer - Hope needed.
Donation protected
This story begins in March 2016, my wife, Nina was diagnosed with Stage 3 locally advanced breast cancer. Both breasts plus lymphnode involvement under both arms. We are still unsure if the originally diagnosis was Inflammatory Breast Cancer or IDC with skin involvement. For people that understand the jargon, it was ER/PR - and HER2 +. Our sons at the time were 3 and 1 years old. The diagnosis came as an incredible shock, as with most couples our fun and laughter, problems and arguments (which at that time our biggest concern was whether or not we should try for a little girl) became so minimal and obsolete. Our only and biggest problem or worry was to beat cancer and getting my wife healthy again so that she could be there for us and see the boys grow up.
We were told that she needed Chemotherapy, Double Mastectomy, 4 Field Radiation on both sides plus Herceptin. The treatment to “cure” Nina would end up costing in the range of R 1 000 000.00 which was split between our medical aid and ourselves. Our shortfall for the above mentioned treatment was +- R 200 000.00, we were extremely blessed and lucky enough to have had the most amazing support from our friends and family who lovingly arranged a fundraiser for us which has helped us stay afloat this past year. These funds unfortunately have been depleted.
Only a few people know but during radiation, Nina fell pregnant (we were told that she would never be able to conceive again hence no protection was used) and through all odds the baby didn’t miscarry. We were told that the baby would be severely deformed and would jeopardize Nina’s chance of survival if all the treatment were stopped to carry the baby to full term so a decision was made by us and her team of doctors to terminate. We made the decision that she needed to fight for her two healthy beautiful boys that she already had. A failed termination resulted in an emergency D&C which shattered her heart for a second time that year.
After a long gruelling year of being sick, tired, in and out of hospitals, from losing her hair, breasts and losing nearly all of herself in the process to stay alive, she did it. Doctors confirmed that she was in remission in December 2016.
Unfortunately her remission was short lived when another lump was mysteriously found in her armpit (an area that was supposed to be cleared of all lymphnodes) in February 2017. A biopsy confirmed that the new gland was cancerous.
Further testing via PET scan established that the breast cancer had now spread to lymphnodes in her chest and liver as well as uptake in her ovaries. An urgent biopsy of the ovaries was needed to determine if this was a new primary or spread, due to unforeseen circumstances her ovaries were completely removed. She still battles with having had this happen to her and often mentions that she feels like a shell of a woman she used to be.
However, we are determined to get going and beat cancer once again. Her new treatment consists of a targeted therapy called Tykerb and a Chemotherapy called Xeloda, these 2 drugs on their own cost about R 18 500.00 every 3 weeks and at the moment we don’t have an end date, a PET scan costs R 30 000.00 which is needed in the next 6 weeks and possibly every 3 months after that, the above amounts don't include doctors visits, blood tests, pharmacy medicine such as antibiotics or anti-depressants and physio. There are many more costs involved that continuously add up. So after umming and arring over whether or not to have another fund raiser I have decided that any amount of money we can raise would be beneficial to us.
We have just learnt about a Lake Smit bill of R9000 from a scan last year that medical aid has decided they won't pay for (still going to fight that one though) but where do they expect us to find that sum of money for one test?
Nina is very strong and does not often show the effects Cancer has had on her but deep down it's been tough on everyone as well as her boys.
We will be forever grateful for any help, anyone is willing to give.
Our friend Sandra who will accept the withdrawal on our behalf and manage the funds.
Thank you.
Lloyd
Only a few people know but during radiation, Nina fell pregnant (we were told that she would never be able to conceive again hence no protection was used) and through all odds the baby didn’t miscarry. We were told that the baby would be severely deformed and would jeopardize Nina’s chance of survival if all the treatment were stopped to carry the baby to full term so a decision was made by us and her team of doctors to terminate. We made the decision that she needed to fight for her two healthy beautiful boys that she already had. A failed termination resulted in an emergency D&C which shattered her heart for a second time that year.
After a long gruelling year of being sick, tired, in and out of hospitals, from losing her hair, breasts and losing nearly all of herself in the process to stay alive, she did it. Doctors confirmed that she was in remission in December 2016.
Unfortunately her remission was short lived when another lump was mysteriously found in her armpit (an area that was supposed to be cleared of all lymphnodes) in February 2017. A biopsy confirmed that the new gland was cancerous.
Further testing via PET scan established that the breast cancer had now spread to lymphnodes in her chest and liver as well as uptake in her ovaries. An urgent biopsy of the ovaries was needed to determine if this was a new primary or spread, due to unforeseen circumstances her ovaries were completely removed. She still battles with having had this happen to her and often mentions that she feels like a shell of a woman she used to be.
However, we are determined to get going and beat cancer once again. Her new treatment consists of a targeted therapy called Tykerb and a Chemotherapy called Xeloda, these 2 drugs on their own cost about R 18 500.00 every 3 weeks and at the moment we don’t have an end date, a PET scan costs R 30 000.00 which is needed in the next 6 weeks and possibly every 3 months after that, the above amounts don't include doctors visits, blood tests, pharmacy medicine such as antibiotics or anti-depressants and physio. There are many more costs involved that continuously add up. So after umming and arring over whether or not to have another fund raiser I have decided that any amount of money we can raise would be beneficial to us.
We have just learnt about a Lake Smit bill of R9000 from a scan last year that medical aid has decided they won't pay for (still going to fight that one though) but where do they expect us to find that sum of money for one test?
Nina is very strong and does not often show the effects Cancer has had on her but deep down it's been tough on everyone as well as her boys.
We will be forever grateful for any help, anyone is willing to give.
Our friend Sandra who will accept the withdrawal on our behalf and manage the funds.
Thank you.
Lloyd
Organizer and beneficiary
Lloyd Lunn
Organizer
Arlington Heights, IL
Sandra Taylor
Beneficiary