Help Linda and Lee survive

My name is Dave,

I am Linda’s father, I need to draw attention to the plight of this wonderful family and the medical problems they are currently facing.

They are a caring loving family and need all the help they can get after Linda was diagnosed some weeks ago with breast cancer, and Lee has to undergo two cornea transplants, this family has more than its fair share of problems and bad luck and with two young children to support any help would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Dave Williams

 

 

This time last year (2021) the Howell family had just found out they were expecting their second little miracle, Lee and Linda were both working full time, they have a beautiful 2 year old son , Ezra, Linda was completing her PhD and working full time, at about 30 weeks into the pregnancy Linda noticed a lump in her breast, she mentioned it to every midwife and doctor she saw but they all said it was likely a blocked milk duct.

 

 

 

After baby Elijah was born the lump was still there. Linda was also made redundant on the day Elijah was born as the company closed. Linda again raised the issue about the lump and was told again it was a stubborn milk duct. At Elijah’s 6 weekly check up she raised the issue with her local G.P who referred her to a specialist straight away. Linda had a biopsy and while waiting for results were placed in quarantine for covid, on the second day of quarantine Linda received a call from the specialist advising that the lump had was suspicious.

 

 

 

After several core biopsies, an MRI, bone scan, CT scan and mammogram, Linda was diagnosed with grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, breast cancer at 36 years of age with a newborn and a two year old! This was not something that the family had expected! Breast cancer in young woman is more common than most people know and when diagnosed in woman of this age is usually highly aggressive. Linda’s husband Lee has been out of work with health issues of his own, and will need lots of time off over the next few months as he needs his corneas replaced, being a self employed tiler his eyes are extremely important! At this stage Linda will have to undergo many months of intensive chemotherapy treatment followed by a mascectomy, then a year of targeted treatment.

 

 

 

This family had it all together and has never before asked for anything! They were always first to help anyone in need, however in a short space of time it all fell apart for them! They are now extremely concerned as to how they will manage to pay their bills as they both undergo the procedures they need. Their friends have contributed and helped with food and generous donations , but to add to their already dire situation and existing stress they now hold great concerns for their financial future and ability to pull through this. Linda intends to develop a professional development program for midwives and doctors to raise better awareness around breast cancer in young pregnant and lactating women to help ensure that no women are dismissed as having blocked milk ducts again. Currently there is limited education on the matter despite occurring in one in every 3000 pregnancies. You are never too young to be diagnosed and all lumps should be investigated if they persist for more than two weeks. The Howell family have had an extremely rough few months! This is only a snapshot of the major troubles they are currently enduring, they need help desperately , please open your hearts to them, they are a beautiful family and deserve all the help they can get . Thank you.