At the beginning of the year, Kim noticed a slight pull in her skin on her left breast. Having a clear mammogram just a month before, she wasn’t too concerned. In April, she brought it up to her provider at her annual exam and another mammogram and ultrasound was scheduled.  During the ultrasound, the head radiologist came in and did his own examination. He came across a spot in both her tissue and lymph node and shared that he was very concerned. Everything after that was a blur for Kim. She had CT’s, MRIs, and biopsies which came back positive for stage 3 lobular carcinoma. She had a port placed, and completed her first series of chemo, AT-C. This was an 8 week series which she completed the end of June.  Kim has now started on her 12 week series of Taxol.  God willing, Kim will complete chemo on 9/27 and will have a double mastectomy and reconstruction in Mid October. She will be traveling out of state for this procedure. Upon completion, she may need radiation. Kim will be on hormone therapy for the rest of her life to suppress estrogen and progesterone.

As a busy wife and mother of 3 young kids, treatment has been challenging for Kim and her entire family.  Friends and co-workers are hosting a fundraiser to support the family and help pay for out-of-pocket expenses related to medical care and travel costs.  All gifts made online to this fundraiser for Kim go to the family and Lend A Hand Up will add a 20% boost to make generosity go further. Cash/Check donations must be made payable and gifted directly to the family.