Christina's Pancreatic Cancer Journey
Donation protected
My sister is Christina Parrish. She is an 11 year Survivor/Warrior of Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer. She was given 6 months to live when she was diagnosed in June of 2008. In 2012, in Maine, she founded, the grassroots non-profit organization - the Purple Iris Foundation for pancreatic cancer awareness. https://www.purpleirisfoundation.com
helps raise awareness, provide support and give hope to individuals and families affected by cancer....
Her journey has been a long one...that has decimated the inside of her body. 3 1/2 years of active chemotherapy...FUDR with Leakovorin
She had 4 treatments of Intra-arterial Therapy. (Cisplatin, Mytomyacin..and the 3rd chemo drug, which she can never remember) It's like a heart catheter...only it went to her pancreas and liver. Even now, her volunteering for the Purple Iris Foundation is very minimal because of her health.
Her daily routine is very minimal activity most days. If she does stuff...that means she has to eat more.
She eats a pouch or 2 of baby food a day.
She tries to eat "real food" once a day. It's not a big meal...chicken, scrambled eggs, oatmeal are her normal go to's.
If she does something more than a couple hours...then the next day her fatigue and digestion are a mess...more than usual.
She was, as she still is, dealing with PTSD and anxiety.
All while this is going on her digestion is not good. Nausea (5-6) is her norm, and running to the bathroom to let her bowels drain or dry heave. Nausea is a constant companion, as is the discomfort, sometimes painful (to the extreme) under my left ribs...my pancreas area. Her nausea and gut pain fluctuates moment to moment ..or for hours to days on end It's pretty unpredictable. The pain level goes over 10 a lot. This is her day...everyday. Sprinkle on top PTSD and anxiety. If she is in public...and her gut or bowels start acting up; she has to hide in the bathroom...for 20 minutes at a time. If she have to do something in public...2 hours is all she has in her to put on a happy face. After this...she get cranky, short, and just feels like she is dying...literally. Feels like all her systems are failing her.
For the past 1 year and 8 months she has been battling Social Security to keep her Disability pay. She had to hire a lawyer because to deal with The Social Security Administration was a nightmare on her own. She has now spent every dime she has. Her Lawyer said it could take another year to have her case heard...at least.
She have been getting help from some great people.
She now needs help. ..to pay her lawyer...$3000 and for traveling expenses, supplements, meals and bills.
She lives in a very small apartment..with her cat Nebbie.
Christina still travels to Chicago for 6 month check ups with Dr. Bruce Gershenhorn, as well as Dr. Vashi . She LOVES both these Doctors! She had to postpone her last visit because of lack of funds. She has been seen at NYU Langone by Dr. Simeone and her team.
Christina has to pay for hotel rooms, meals and it all adds up. She is not eligible for assistance because she is not in active treatment....but she is actively seeking why she is not feeling well. no answers as of yet.
It's so very hard to see my sister struggle with her health daily...she is a survivor, but this journey for her is far from over. I pray every day that she can get the help she needs that can change her every day life for the better. She is very grateful for her second chance and is a blessing to many...more than she even realizes. Thank you for any help you can provide. It would be a huge blessing and so appreciated.
helps raise awareness, provide support and give hope to individuals and families affected by cancer....
Her journey has been a long one...that has decimated the inside of her body. 3 1/2 years of active chemotherapy...FUDR with Leakovorin
She had 4 treatments of Intra-arterial Therapy. (Cisplatin, Mytomyacin..and the 3rd chemo drug, which she can never remember) It's like a heart catheter...only it went to her pancreas and liver. Even now, her volunteering for the Purple Iris Foundation is very minimal because of her health.
Her daily routine is very minimal activity most days. If she does stuff...that means she has to eat more.
She eats a pouch or 2 of baby food a day.
She tries to eat "real food" once a day. It's not a big meal...chicken, scrambled eggs, oatmeal are her normal go to's.
If she does something more than a couple hours...then the next day her fatigue and digestion are a mess...more than usual.
She was, as she still is, dealing with PTSD and anxiety.
All while this is going on her digestion is not good. Nausea (5-6) is her norm, and running to the bathroom to let her bowels drain or dry heave. Nausea is a constant companion, as is the discomfort, sometimes painful (to the extreme) under my left ribs...my pancreas area. Her nausea and gut pain fluctuates moment to moment ..or for hours to days on end It's pretty unpredictable. The pain level goes over 10 a lot. This is her day...everyday. Sprinkle on top PTSD and anxiety. If she is in public...and her gut or bowels start acting up; she has to hide in the bathroom...for 20 minutes at a time. If she have to do something in public...2 hours is all she has in her to put on a happy face. After this...she get cranky, short, and just feels like she is dying...literally. Feels like all her systems are failing her.
For the past 1 year and 8 months she has been battling Social Security to keep her Disability pay. She had to hire a lawyer because to deal with The Social Security Administration was a nightmare on her own. She has now spent every dime she has. Her Lawyer said it could take another year to have her case heard...at least.
She have been getting help from some great people.
She now needs help. ..to pay her lawyer...$3000 and for traveling expenses, supplements, meals and bills.
She lives in a very small apartment..with her cat Nebbie.
Christina still travels to Chicago for 6 month check ups with Dr. Bruce Gershenhorn, as well as Dr. Vashi . She LOVES both these Doctors! She had to postpone her last visit because of lack of funds. She has been seen at NYU Langone by Dr. Simeone and her team.
Christina has to pay for hotel rooms, meals and it all adds up. She is not eligible for assistance because she is not in active treatment....but she is actively seeking why she is not feeling well. no answers as of yet.
It's so very hard to see my sister struggle with her health daily...she is a survivor, but this journey for her is far from over. I pray every day that she can get the help she needs that can change her every day life for the better. She is very grateful for her second chance and is a blessing to many...more than she even realizes. Thank you for any help you can provide. It would be a huge blessing and so appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Natalee Kohls
Organizer
Brewer, ME
Christina Parrish
Beneficiary