Christon (aka CMC or Milam) is a 43-year-old Mom to 5-year-old Clay, who started Kindergarten in August 2025. CMC is also a TNBC (triple negative breast cancer) survivor whose worst fears have come true, with the return of this aggressive beast as metastatic/stage 4, and the locations are inoperable. This is a fight for Christon’s life, and she is ready to throw everything at this. THIS IS IMMINENT.
A Humbling Ask
While asking for help is incredibly uncomfortable for Christon and her husband Nik, no pride or ego can stand in the way, as this battle is for her life. Nik and Christon prayed and waited so long for Clay, they refuse to accept that Clay will only have six years with his mother—not without a fight.
The family is already carrying significant medical debt from losing their first child in 2017 and the original cancer diagnosis in 2019. Calls from debt collectors are a daily reality. Despite making responsible choices—living frugally, selling a car, and downsizing where they can—the new diagnosis adds another enormous financial burden.
How We Got Here
On September 19, 2019, the day before Clay was born, Christon was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer.
What followed was:
• Weekly chemo beginning October 2019
• Double mastectomy in March 2020
• Six weeks of daily radiation
• Chemo pills, additional surgeries, physical therapies, etc.
For a while, things seemed stable. Then in July 2025, CMC began losing her balance, struggling to walk, and could not look at screens without severe motion sickness. She was admitted to Novant Presbyterian in Charlotte on August 1. Tests revealed the cancer had returned and spread to her brain, lungs, and lymph nodes. These locations are inoperable.
Major steps so far:
• Aug 5: Emergency brain surgery to biopsy a mass and drain fluid. This helped, but the fluid is re-accumulating—a serious concern.
• Stereotactic brain radiation and steroids (with tough side effects).
• Bone scan (Aug 21): Clear – a win worth celebrating!
• Second opinion: Consulted a TNBC specialist at UNC Chapel Hill.
• Genetic testing: Confirmed BRCA1 mutation.
Treatment plan moving forward:
• Start PARP inhibitor therapy, the first line of defense with her BRCA1 mutation.
• Surgery is not an option due to tumor locations.
• Partnering with a world-renowned Integrative Oncology Clinic that collaborates with the NC care team to address root causes and offer advanced therapies and clinical trials. This is strongly supported by Christon’s local team in NC.
Why We’re Asking for Help
The integrative clinic is Christon’s best—and only—shot at extending her life. Their innovative treatments and trials are rarely available elsewhere. Unfortunately, they are extremely expensive and not covered by insurance.
• The clinic requires a $10,000 deposit, with thousands more in ongoing costs.
• Every dollar raised goes directly toward these treatments.
• If you prefer to donate via a different route, see additional information below.
A Note From Christon:
If you know me, you know I’m tough and sometimes blunt—but also deeply compassionate. Since the first diagnosis, I’ve supported other cancer patients, prayed with families, reviewed labs, and raised money for those in need. My friends at Optum even joke that I’m the “Optum counselor.” Supporting others brings me joy, and now I find myself needing that same support.
God has placed me on this journey for a reason, and we trust His will. If asking for help is part of that, then here I am. I will do whatever it takes to be here for Clay, Nik, my family/friends, and most importantly to fulfill God's will. I refuse to let cancer be the end of my story.
The Call to Action
• Prayers: For miraculous healing, for extended quality of life, for slow growth— and, by God’s grace, complete healing. Prayers are the absolute best thing anyone can do for CMC.
• Donations: If you have the means, any gift is deeply appreciated. If not, sharing this message is just as valuable.
Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with us. May God bless you all.
With love and gratitude,
Amanda Claflin – a best friend of Christon & Nik’s and Clay’s favorite Bostonian
Contact information:
Amanda Claflin – 617-850-2727; amanda.walczak@comcast.net
Christon Carlson – 919-605-4300; christon.carlson@outlook.com
