Hoisington-Menard Gets Cancer Treatment

By Meaghan Breen
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CLAREMONT, NH June 9, 2023—Over the past several months, the Eagle Times has written the story of Jasmine Hoisington-Menard and her battle with Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Ovary, a rare malignant cancer that causes a dangerous excess of estrogen.

Jasmine was diagnosed in 2016 at 16 years old after a pediatric appointment addressing unexplained pain. Within an hour she was at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) undergoing surgery. The tumor was the size of a football. Now it measures one square foot, distending her abdomen so significantly she appears nine months pregnant.

In the years following her diagnosis, she encountered numerous physical and financial barriers. She developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disorder of the immune system which attacks nerves, resulting in temporary paralysis. In 2019 she was declared cancer-free. In 2021, she discovered the cancer had returned at Stage Four.

Because of the rarity of her cancer, DHMC was ill equipped to help. She cast a net wide, seeking help from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. However, it refused to accept her NH Wellsense Medicaid, though it offered full coverage. Since then, her family and friends have raised funds to help with future treatment, daily bills and travel costs to and from Texas.

In early April, she secured a win, gaining coverage under her mother Bobbi-Jo Menard’s employer provided Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. In mid-April she drove to Texas with her family and met with her new treatment team, headed by Dr. Tyler Hillman. Jasmine is now receiving an injection of Lupron every three months, which suppresses pituitary hormones. These hormones play a role in estrogen production. She was also put on Letrozole, a hormone therapy drug which addresses excess estrogen and aims to shrink tumors.

“Jasmine hasn’t noticed any changes in the size of her tumor,” said Menard. However, Jasmine has made progress with mobility and doesn’t need to constantly use her oxygen. She read an article reporting the removal of a 100-pound tumor, prompting Menard to contact Jasmine’s MD Anderson team to see whether, “removing Jasmine’s tumor is even a possibility.” Menard is awaiting a response.

Dr. Hillman contacted Jasmine’s local oncologist, Dr. Ivy Wilkinson. Jasmine is continuing treatment in NH rather than commuting to Texas. She meets with Wilkinson weekly but hasn’t received her second injection. “When Jasmine is strong enough, she can do chemo with this treatment…but Jasmine says she doesn’t feel she is close to being strong enough to be able to handle chemo again,” Menard said.

Her condition is exacerbated by worsening Edema (excess fluid trapped in the tissue causing swelling) in her legs. “It makes life so uncomfortable,” Menard said. “She has been getting physical therapy every Tuesday at Valley [Regional Hospital]. They are doing some kind of treatment on her that pushes the fluid up, out her back and arm pits, because her tumor blocks the flow to her belly. It has helped her a lot,” Menard stated, adding it causes soreness.

“She is extremely tired some days, which is totally understandable,” her mother said. Her family continues to envelop her in support. Jasmine was accompanied by her husband, mother and her mother’s fiancé to Texas. Jasmine loves spending time with her niece Rosalie. “It takes her mind off things…she absolutely loves that time,” Menard said.

Menard regularly checks on Jasmine and walks the dogs. Jasmine adores them; they play an integral role in the family. Eating is challenging for Jasmine; it makes her stomach feel larger and more painful. “She eats a lot of ice chips,” Menard said. A happy byproduct, however, is it has resulted in an endearing exchange between Jasmine and Rosalie, who asks for ice every visit, just like her aunt.

The Eagle Times will continue to provide updates on Jasmine’s condition as it progresses. To read prior articles released on March 22, March 25, April 13 and April 18 titled, “A Race Against Time: Part One of the ET’s Feature on Jasmine Hoisington-Menard,” “Look for the Light: Part Two of the ET’s Feature on Jasmine Hoisington-Menard,” “Jasmine’s Battle Rages On,” and “‘Really Grateful and Blessed’: An Update on Jasmine Hoisington-Menard’s Condition,” visit our website at eagletimes.com.

Jasmine is $2,000 shy of her $8,000 fundraising goal. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/jasmines-wishes or search Jasmine’s Wishes on gofundme.com to donate.