My name is Carla and I am 32 years old. I have the best family and wanted to share our story with you. I have been married to my husband David for four years July 21st. We now have two children, Everett who is 2 ½ and Elsa who is 10 months. Three years ago we moved to Glendale, CA from San Diego for David to go to law school. We love being close to family but also being able to have our own adventures.
Last year we began another adventure. In January of 2009 I found a spot under my tongue. We didn’t have insurance so my parents paid for me to have it biopsied. I was told it was pre-cancerous and that it would need to be removed as soon as possible. Since we didn’t have insurance, we had to get government help. Before we knew about my tongue, we also found out that we were pregnant. We didn’t know what pre-cancer meant for our baby, but since we had just miscarried in November we were willing to continue with the pregnancy. By May we were able to get insurance and quickly got things moving. Before my doctors wanted to remove the spot, they re-biopsied it to see where it was at. It had changed to cancer and they also found a growth in my lymph nodes in my neck. On May 18th I went into surgery 5 months pregnant. They told me there was a great chance our baby wouldn't make it. The doctors were amazing! The surgery was supposed to take 4 ½ hours but they were able to do it in 2 ½. I had part of my tongue removed and 21 lymph nodes removed. I had 40 staples in my neck. I spent 10 days in the hospital. My family took turns helping me since I still had Everett to take care of and David had to do his internship at a public interest law organization for the summer.
In July I was given a clean bill of health. I continued to go to my appointments every month to get checked. On October 28th, our little Elsa arrived perfectly healthy. They were very worried she would have had health problems because of my surgery. She is my miracle! We thought we were free and clear for several months. In February my doctor wanted to do a full body scan because I was never able to do one before since I was pregnant. When my doctor was telling me the results, she got very quiet and said there were more spots. This time they were on my lungs, breast, and pelvis. I was re-diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma cancer.Chemo was next and it needed to happen quickly. I transferred to City of Hope in Duarte, CA.They wanted to do a bone scan because it was in my pelvis to see how the rest of my bones were doing. We were told it was also on my ribs, my tail bone, my spine, and my femur. So on May 5thI had my first round of chemo. My greatest fear was how my children would do with me being so sick, but I knew and still know that I have to be strong for them.
I lost my hair after the second treatment so my husband and I shaved our heads together.My son tells me I look good and I believe him.Chemo is tough especially with two very little kids. My family and friends are amazing! They take turns watching kids and helping when I get really sick. My treatments can last up to 12 hours sometimes. I get chemo every three weeks and another infusion called Erbitux every week.Erbitux makes me very tired. I had another body scan done in June. They told me that everything was looking good and shrinking. David finished the bar so we went on vacation.
When we got back from our break, I had a portacathater placed in my chest so that it would make my next chemo treatments easier. While I was in surgery, my father was able to talk to my doctor who told him that really my cancer wasn’t doing as well as I had been told. I now have a 6 cm mass in my lungs which is much larger than it was before. My doctor also told me that after the next cycle of chemo there wasn’t much else that could be done. My dad got on the phone with many of his medical contacts and was able to find a doctor in Florida whom he met at a medical conference who was willing to radiate my tumor. It has all been happening so quickly. I will begin radiation on August 29th and will go for 5 days. They are very hopeful that this will get rid of what is in my lungs which I am so excited about. I will then continue with chemo to keep treating the other spots.
We have to ask for your help to make this radiation possible. We only have insurance for California so we will be paying out of pocket. The doctor is giving us the “friend” discount but it will still be $40,000. We are asking friends and family for anything to help. I am so grateful for all that you have already done for me and my family!The prayers and thoughts get me through my toughest days. Thank you up front for anything!!!!
With so much gratitude and love,
With so much gratitude and love,
Carla
If you have any questions or problems, please let me know!
