Hope for Kat

Our mother was diagnosed with stage 3c breast cancer five years ago, at the age of 51. She is as feisty and stubborn as she is loving and kind and throughout chemotherapy, radiation, and essentially having her entire life turned upside down - she never quit. She fought tooth and nail against this cancer. Three weeks ago, her husband took her out to dinner for a very special occasion - officially being cancer free. I remember the pride and satisfaction in her eyes that night. She said the cancer wouldn't win and she felt like she had finally succeeded. 

Last week, with what she had thought was a terrible stomach ache, she decided to go to the ER. An abdominal scan confirmed our worst nightmare -  a tumor in the liver. Follow up scans and biopsies showed that her breast cancer had also metastasized to parts of the brain, the meninges, and her spine. Throughout the years, she had been denied scans by her oncologist as it had been deemed unnecessary after her bilateral mastectomy. To say the least, our family is in shock and devastated because this all feels like it could have been caught much earlier. 


Despite these recent events, our mother has remained positive and ready to take on the biggest fight of her life. We've decided not to continue working with her previous oncologist and instead are seeking out a treatment center in Arizona for a second opinion on our next step. Unfortunately, this center doesn't take her medical insurance. Regardless, we plan to support our mother through this with the same ferocity she's supported us her entire life.


My mom always told us that when life gives you lemons, you make lemon-aid. This may be the most sour lemons she's ever gotten, but we know that means she needs sugar now more than ever. If you can help us support her in even the smallest way, we'd appreciate it more than you'd ever know. Thank you.