My niece, Vicki Joan, is 28 years old.  On June 13, 2016, Vicki's husband was committed to a mental institution.  Two days later, while Vicki was visiting her husband, he informed her that he was leaving her and moving back to Texas.  Vicki Joan was devastated and later that same day, Vicki  had a heart attack.  She died 10 times that day, having to have her heart "shocked" each time, to bring her back.  Vicki's condition was so severe that there was a team of 20 specialist, in the same room, working on Vicki, as well as calls being made across the U.S. to cardiologist for consultation on Vicki Joan's condition.  Her cardiologist had never seen a patient as young as Vicki, or a heart condition this severe.  Vicki Joan had suffered from stress induced cardiomyopathy which is brought on by Broken Heart Syndrome.  Vicki was on a ventilator for three days and had a balloon inserted in her heart for four days so that her heart could pump out enough blood to keep her alive.  Her heart was only working at a 30% capacity.  She was in ICU for five days and then moved to a private room for two more days before being released to come home.  She was home for two days and then had to be rushed back to the hospital to be re-admitted for two more days because of complications.  Vicki had to wear a medical "life vest", which was basically a fibulator that would shock her heart should it go into failure.  She had to wear this vest 24/7 for 40 days (exception being when she showered).  Both times that we rushed Vicki to the emergency room, she had to be transported from our hometown hospital to a larger hospital, 45 miles away, by ambulance.  During all of this, Vicki's husband left her, without a good-bye, on day four while she was in the ICU.  Day by day, Vicki's health and heart were improving and medical expenses were growing and growing.
     Approximately 10 days prior to Vicki getting out of her medical life vest, she discovered a lump on her breast.  She made an appointment to get this checked.  Sadly, Vicki was told she had breast cancer and that it was a rapid growing type and that she was at Stage 2, Level 3 (which is one level from becoming Stage 3).  Now Vicki Joan is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.  My sister, Vicki Joan's mother, had ovarian cancer eight years ago and has remained cancer free but she did test positive for the BRAC1 gene.  All members of the family were encouraged to be tested for this BRAC1 gene.  Vicki Joan also tested positive.  This BRAC1 gene increases a persons' chance of getting cancer by 64 to 87%.  After Vicki is through with chemo, the doctors are recommending surgery, which Vicki still has to decide on.  Again, this is because of this BRAC1 gene and how the doctors take preventative measures of recurring cancer.
      Vicki's medical expenses, as you can imagine, are astronomical.  I'm asking for help for my niece.  She's not able to work much because of her immune system being low and a lot of fatigue, so she has very little income coming in and insurance will only cover so much.  My family and I feel blessed beyond measure that our Vicki Joan is alive.  This young, beautiful woman has endured more in her life span than some do in a life time.  The goal of $10,000 that I've set does not cover all of the medical expenses because Vicki still has three more months of chemo plus possible surgeries.  We all have been pitching in and doing everything we can to help Vicki Joan and keep her stress level as low as possible.  We have been so very blessed with everyone's prayers and love.  We are humbly asking for financial help with these medical expenses.  There are no words in our dictionaries that can express how thankful we are for any and all help.  God bless you.