Support Sarah's Treatment and Recovery

In March of 2022, Sarah was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After scans showed the tumor to be near the head of the pancreas and nearer to the hepatic artery on her liver but not metastasized to any other organs, her oncologist immediately started Sarah on a program of chemotherapy. If the chemo could successfully shrink the tumor away from the artery, the plan was to then perform a Whipple procedure - a major surgery to remove the tumor and any nearby organ tissue that may contain cancerous cells.

After *5* rounds of chemotherapy, Sarah contacted the Mayo clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for a second opinion in regards to her treatment plan - that particular clinic is known for performing a well-above-average number of Whipple procedures each year, which is a factor that contributes to higher rates of survival and lower rates of post-surgery complications. Mayo Rochester also attracts some of the best gastrointestinal oncologists in the world, lending to its high ranking for patient care. The doctor's at Mayo suggested altering Sarah's treatment to include finishing the chemotherapy at home (Charlotte Levine Cancer Institute), but receiving radiation therapy and having the Whipple procedure done at the Rochester clinic. Sarah agreed with the altered plan and we returned home so she could finish receiving chemotherapy.

Sarah has now completed all 12 rounds of chemo and is gearing up to travel to Rochester and start in on radiation therapy. We will be there for about 4 weeks, likely through Thanksgiving and Christmas, before returning home to rest and recover. Sarah will also be home to attend her brother's wedding in January. After that, we will be traveling to Rochester again for the Whipple surgery. The surgeon will oversee her recovery in the hospital there for 2 weeks before releasing her (barring any post-surgical complications) to come home and receive care.

Even with health insurance covering some of the major medical expenses, the bills that do come through are staggering. It's no secret that medical care costs a fortune, even when that care is immediately necessary and life saving. We’ve been relying on Sarah’s savings and my salary to keep us afloat, but the extra medical bills - not to mention the cost of travel and lodging while we stay in Rochester for two months collectively - have become a large financial burden.

If you know Sarah, you know she is the most generous person possibly to ever have existed. There is no limit to her kindness, her unselfishness, her hospitality, or her compassion. She gives freely and often. She thinks of others before herself in almost every situation. She is the most supportive, attentive, charitable, and considerate person I've ever met, and I'd be willing to bet a lot of you feel the same way about her. And right now, she needs your help.

Anything you can contribute will go directly to offsetting the cost of her extensive treatments. Thank you all for your support and we hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.