Meet Christie, a 33-year-old pediatric occupational therapist who was unexpectedly diagnosed with sporadic young onset MSHI colon cancer. With no family history of cancer and no symptoms, her diagnosis came as a complete shock. Christie’s journey began when routine blood work revealed she was severely anemic. Despite walking four miles just two days earlier without any issues, her doctor sent her to a GI specialist. The colonoscopy was expected to be routine, but to both Christie and her doctor’s surprise, they discovered a 3.3 cm tumor. The doctor knew the moment he saw the tumor that it was cancer.
Initially, Christie began treatment with immunotherapy. However, when she recently went into liver failure, her plan of care changed, and she transitioned to chemotherapy. The sudden change in her treatment plan has been extremely challenging, forcing Christie to give up work and adding emotional, mental, and financial stress.
Christie has dedicated her career to working with medically fragile children, including those battling cancer, and she absolutely loves what she does. Her ultimate goal is to return to this work once she beats cancer, continuing to make a difference in the lives of the children she cares for.
We were able to meet Christie through Google Meet, where she shared her journey and love for her profession. Inspired by her dedication and her resilient spirit, Fightstrong Foundation wanted to support her through these difficult times. We were happy to donate an iPad, along with accessories, to help Christie stay connected and pass the time during her treatment visits. Knowing her love for comfortable clothes and frequent visits to T.J. Maxx, we also provided her with a gift card so she can shop for items that bring her comfort during her journey.
Christie’s story is one of unwavering strength, love for her profession, and a determination to overcome. She inspires us all with her hope and resilience, and we look forward to seeing her return to the work she loves when she beats this.
We will continue to pray for you! Forever sending our love your way and cannot wait for you to get back to helping so many battling this terrible disease.