Bailey's Battle with Liver Cancer

We would like to introduce you to our daughter Bailey. Bailey graduated from Northview Academy in Sevierville Tn. in May of 2017. Like many high school graduates, she wanted to continue her education in college and enrolled at Walter State University for her first semester as a freshman in the fall of 2017.
On November 2, she enjoyed her 18th birthday. She had settled in to her new life at college and was enjoying learning new skills to take her through life.
Late in November, Bailey started to fall ill. Initially, everyone thought it was the flu bug or virus, but it did not get better, only worse. It was decided to rush her to the hospital when she started turning yellow and was losing sight in one of her eyes. After a few initial tests, we received the worst news anyone could hear. She was diagnosed with Fibrolamellar Carcinoma, an ultra-rare form of liver cancer, stage 4. The tumor is in her liver and the cancer has spread to her lymph nodes. Chemo drugs were ordered in order to shrink the tumor as the doctors discussed ways to fight this extremely rare form of cancer.

Bailey spent the Christmas holidays in the hospital fighting acute pancreatitis brought on by a stent placed in her liver. She muscled through the pain and nausea as family and friends were with her celebrating Christmas in her room, instead of at home where she wanted to be, bickering with her brother & sister, stealing chocolates from the candy dish, and opening presents from under the tree on Christmas morning.

A few days after that we heard even worse news in regard to her condition. New tests revealed that she has necrosis of the liver. She also has fluid building up around her major organs and we've been told she may only have one to four months to live. This is not the news any of us want to hear, but even with this news, we still have hope that there is help out there, and we are determined to find it.

We have learned through the Fibrolamellar Foundation that there are options that we need to explore to give Bailey the chance to fight this extremely rare form of cancer.

First we need to move her to TX to be treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center under the care of Dr. Kaseb. The best treatment involves removing the tumor from the liver and then fighting the rest with chemo. There are only a handful of surgeons in the entire United States that are qualified, or that will perform this type of surgery. We were given hope when we spoke with a mother who has a son that endured a similar type procedure and against very long odds, now enjoys a total remission.

We will never stop fighting for Bailey as we push to beat this cancer and we are driven to do EVERYTHING within our means to make this happen. With that, however, are medical expenses that quickly spiral to astronomical heights. We have heard of “Go Fund Me” pages where you can ask others for help during trying and difficult times in one’s life. Never did we envision we would be one of those families. Insurance is a great thing and we are thankful that she has it to help. Many of the procedures necessary to save Bailey's life, however, will not be covered by insurance, nor will the costs to move her and fly her to the surgeon. The deductibles and expenses are mounting and quickly becoming out of reach without help. We are asking for your consideration in helping us with a small financial gift of any amount as we work arm in arm with our beautiful daughter Bailey to fight this awful cancer and save her life.

Every penny acquired will be accounted for and used for Bailey’s care, treatment, travel and medical expenses.