Theresa Murphy's Treatment Travel Expenses

Hi, my name is Anne and my beloved sister, Theresa, was diagnosed with a rare cancer - ocular melanoma in 2020. She underwent plaque brachytherapy treatment in April/May of 2020. Since then, Theresa has had follow-up chest CT's and MRI's every 6 months, and her scans were clear for 3 years! Unfortunately, in April 2023, her routine scans showed a lesion on her liver. The lesion was confirmed as metastatic considered stage IV. Those of us that know and love her know that she is feisty and will fight! She underwent a liver ablation in July 2023 where they zapped the tumor on her liver. In August, Theresa decided to explore other treatment options and initiated contact with the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. The MD’s there are known experts in working with liver metastasis in ocular melanoma and Theresa thought it might be helpful to get a second opinion. There is an ongoing clinical trial that might be an option. Theresa and our other sister, Patty (who is a family practice physician), traveled to Philly after Thanksgiving. Theresa was presented with two options, participating in a clinical trial or immunoembolization (liver directed therapy).

Theresa decided to pursue the trial. She needed another abdominal MRI to officially see if she would qualify for the trial. Due to the rare nature of this disease, there just isn't a lot of research to help guide. Theresa wants to give this her best shot, and being the kind of person she is, hopes that her participation in the trial can help others going forward as well. The experimental drugs in this trial have been showing promise. This study still has a few more years before any FDA approval - assuming all goes well. If Theresa were to go with liver directed therapy first, she would not be able to join the trial later. Theresa had another MRI this month (Feb. 2024) which showed growth, enough to qualify for the trial. Theresa, her husband Dennis, and Patty will be traveling to Philly March 6, 2024 to meet with the Med Oncologist, have more scans, and sign the consent for the clinical trial. The info will be sent off to the trial sponsor for acceptance. If accepted, she would be looking at traveling possibly every 3-4 weeks depending on which arm of the trial she is placed on.

So, Theresa and her family are looking at fairly significant travel expenses. Some of her individual travel expenses may be covered by the clinical trial if she is accepted, but those expenses won't be covered if she goes with the immunoembolization treatment (this specific treatment is not available in Wisconsin). With either treatment, Theresa is required to have someone travel with her. Her travel partner's expenses will need to be covered. Theresa plans to continue to work her 3 days/week and has obtained intermittent FMLA if needed. But there is uncertainty going forward.

I know I am probably biased, but Theresa is one of the most self-less, compassionate, loving people I know. She has a way of making you feel at ease with her quick wit and listening ear. She is often on the giving end, both in her work and with family and friends. She has spent her career working as an oncology and hospice nurse and has seen firsthand what her personal journey with this cancer down the road may look like. We would like to ease her burden of worrying about expenses so that she can focus on fighting this cancer! Thank you for considering a donation to Theresa's travel expense fund!