Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues, 

I wanted to share an update on the status of my cancer diagnosis and treatment. As some of you may not be aware, during my routine screening mammogram in March, I was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive and invasive type of breast cancer known as Triple Negative. My primary tumor had also spread to lymph nodes in my axilla and chest wall. 

Due to the extremely aggressive nature and poor prognosis associated with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), the standard of care is also extremely aggressive. While I was prepared for a long and difficult road, my personal experience with the side effects has been pure hell. I had a chemo port placed in my chest to receive the infusions and started the course of a drug commonly known as “The Red Devil” due to it’s ruby red color and hellish side effects. 

Almost immediately, I began to experience one of the less common side effects and landed in the ER. For the last 8 weeks, I have been in severe pain that has left me mostly bed-bound and completely non-functional. Despite the doctors efforts to mitigate this, including a surgical procedure, the pain has persisted.

I have now completed the planned course of Red Devil and will be moving on to the next chemo drug known as Taxol. This drug is also associated with some terrifying side effects such as neuropathy of the hands and feet, as well as permanent and irreversible heart damage, among many others. 

While these are terrifying, my oncology team is hopeful I will tolerate these next 12 weeks better, and be able to have some relief from the endless pain. I am trying to keep a positive outlook on the situation, but to say it’s been really challenging is an understatement.

Sometime this coming autumn, I will be having a Bi-lateral mastectomy after I finish with the chemo infusions. I have chosen to do no reconstruction as it can obscure the quarterly monitoring I will receive for the next several years. 

After the mastectomy, I am facing 6-8 weeks of daily radiation treatments, as well as oral chemo and immunotherapy drugs for 6 months or longer. All of this to hopefully put me in remission and prevent any recurrence or further metastasis.

Being unable to work has also been a huge personal loss. Having dedicated my life for over 10 years to working with new families has been both a great joy and large part of my identity. I had initially hoped to be able to continue with my Lactation and Sleep Consulting business in some capacity, but that has proven impossible. 

Dealing with a catastrophic illness and navigating insurance is also something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Our expenses are mounting and with zero income on my part, it is indeed terrifying. Just the gas and parking alone for an average of 3 trips per week to Baltimore add up quickly.

Many people have asked how they can help. We have already received many generous donations and gifts, and both myself and my entire family are eternally grateful. We have chosen to do direct donations rather than a Gofundme for a variety of reasons. I will include the information below should you choose to donate. 

Any help at all is greatly appreciated so that I may focus on my treatment and recovery without having so much financial worry. I am also linking to an Amazon wishlist that consists of gift card options for food delivery. Both my direct care, as well as the care and feeding of my family of 7 has fallen entirely to my husband. He has been my biggest champion throughout this ordeal while working full time and dealing with all my ailments.

Lastly, I love receiving any texts or emails of encouragement! I love seeing cute kid and animal pictures/videos, too! These always brighten my mood. I will periodically update both my Facebook page as well as a page I started on Caring Bridge. I will share that link below if you would like to check it out and follow along with my progress. 

Thank you all so much for your love and care. All thoughts/prayers/energetic exchanges appreciated. I am so lucky to have had so many amazing people in my life over the years. I love you ALL!

Regards, 

Kathleen Butler

Venmo: @your-baby-butler

Paypal: @yourbabybutler

Cashapp: $yourbabybutler

Amazon list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2UE9ZU0GAK6SC?ref_=wl_share

Mailing Address:

Kathleen Butler

7207 Antock Pl

Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathleenbutler