We Fight With Kristen

My family & I have set up this gofundme page for Kristen Polizzotto, her husband Bryan Polizzotto and her 5 month old son Cayden Polizzotto. Kristen is fighting an aggressive Stage IV cancer and it is our goal to raise funds for the cost of this fight which includes medical bills & extra help with childcare while Kristen is in the hospital.

For those of you who do not know my cousin, Kristen ... she is THE strongest woman I know. Her courage and positive attitude have carried her through one of the most difficult years of her life. I could not be more proud of her fight and her willingness to share her story with the world.

Last November, Kristen & Bryan were blessed with the news that they were pregnant with their first child. As Kristen proceeded through her pregnancy she realized that her symptoms of feeling weak and tired were more than just normal symptoms of an expectant mother.

On May 14th, 2015 (when Kristen was 28 weeks pregnant) she learned that she had B-Cell Lymphoma. This extremely aggressive form of lymphoma was identified as a Stage IV cancer, traveling to her ovaries, kidneys, spleen and liver. Before delivering the baby, Kristen's doctors decided to begin rounds of chemo  immediately in order to treat her lymphoma as quickly and as safely as possible. 

For the next few months Kristen fought HARD. She amazed us! She held her head high and took her endless treatments in stride. Very slowly but surely, Kristen showed small signs of improvement as her delivery date approached. 

Kristen delivered her son Cayden James Polizzotto on July 15th, 2015. This beautiful little fighter took our breath away (Cayden means fighter in Welsh). Our family's prayers for a healthy arrival had finally been answered!

Following the celebration of Cayden, Kristen's fight continued. PET scans & additional rounds of chemo immediately followed. This was a trying time for Kristen trying to balance her battle with newfound motherhood. 

Kristen continued to show improvement and in early October, PET scans & biopsy results indicated that Kristen had defeated the disease in her body. The word remission took on a whole new meaning for Kristen, Bryan & our family. 

On November 30th, 2015, just a week after a clean PET scan Kristen learned that her lymphoma had returned. Not only had it returned, it returned in her brain. Her chemo treatments began immediately and she will continue her battle into the new year in order for her to once again reach remission. 

It is a very long road ahead for Kristen however we all have NO doubt that she WILL beat this once and for all. We are so proud of her & now it is time for us to show her an abundance of love & support. Our family wishes to use this platform to show that WE FIGHT with KRISTEN.

On behalf of my amazing family ... We love you Kristen, Bryan & Cayden.  Keep fighting.

xo
Cousin Katie