Herndon Graduate Student Continues Treatment To Combat Cancer

HERNDON, VA — Chelsea Proctor, the Herndon resident diagnosed last year with a rare and painful form of cancer, is continuing chemotherapy treatment.

The good news, according to Chelsea's mother Rochelle, is that thanks to the treatment the Coke-can sized tumor wrapped around the vertebra in the thoracic and lumbar areas of her daughter's spine has started to shrink.

The family traveled last week to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to check on the status of Chelsea Proctor's treatment.

"The tumor has gotten a bit smaller so it looks like it is responding to the aggressive chemo," Rochelle Proctor wrote on the family's GoFundMe page.

The not so good news, however, is that Chelsea Proctor had to spend a day in the hospital in Houston because her hemoglobin levels had become critically low.

"She had to get another blood transfusion in the hospital there (which seems to be occurring regularly now.) She is still having serious side effects from the chemo infusions, which leave her very sick and reduce her white cells to critically low levels on a regular basis," Rochelle Proctor said. "She has about another year of treatment ahead, but we are taking it one day at a time."

Doctors are debating the next steps in Chelsea Proctor's treatment, according to Rochelle Proctor. Since the tumor is so aggressive, surgeons will need to remove large parts of tissue and several vertebrae in order to remove the mass from her body.

"The heavy radiation will leave her at risk of developing a second cancer," Rochelle Proctor said. "The team is developing a plan for next steps to minimize risks as best they can. We will continue with another round or two of chemo, and return to Houston for scans in hopes that the tumor has continued to shrink more. At some point, she will stay for surgery, radiation and rehab. This will be followed by an estimated five additional post surgery rounds of chemo to make sure all cancer cells have been destroyed."

A graduate of Herndon High School and James Madison University, Chelsea Proctor was a graduate student a Johns Hopkins University when she was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, an incredibly rare and aggressive form of cancer. The treatment will require months of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and recovery. Unfortunately, Chelsea Proctor's student health care won't cover the costs of such a prolonged treatment.

To offset the expenses of her treatment, the Proctor family launched a GoFundMe campaign in October to raise money. In addition, friends of the family hosted a Christmas Happy Hour in December at Jimmy's Old Town Tavern to raise money for the family. As of Monday, the GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $44,000 toward its $100,000 goal.

"Thank you all for being amazing supports for Chelsea to allow her to get the treatment that she needs to save her life," Rochelle Proctor said, in the latest update on the GoFundMe page. "This is not easy, or inexpensive. She is strengthened by your prayers and generous support. She could not be as strong without you! She continues to fight each day and you remain in her heart. Please continue to pray for her to stay Chelsea Strong!"

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