Our Inspirational Beginning
Donation protected
It started as a cold, symptoms made it necessary to visit the Dr immediately, an ultra sound and in office procedure gave some relief but created many questions of possible cause and treatment. A Referral to a specialist was arranged and 2 biopsy' and a host of specialized tests followed and hopeful initial results were given. Summer turned to fall before the life altering Diagnosis was presented to Denise. A very rare and aggressive stage 2 cancer was dignosed and hope was beyond bleak. Just like that the bottom of her life dropped out. The uncertainty of everything she knew became an everyday reality. As a 36 year community volunteer at WTCC producing the beloved Inspirational Beginning Gospel Program every Sunday, a dedicated Parent Facilitator with the Springfield Public School, a successful professional Photography career, involved and devoted life as mother, grandmother, wife and so much to so many. A second opinion was arranged with the local Head of Oncology who agreed with the initial diagnosis and who assured Denise that the only option was a drastic life altering surgery that would result in an extended hospital stay followed by a stint in a rehabilitation center. He also shared that in his extensive career he had only seen this type of cancer 3 times and she was the third. When asked what happened to the other patients he shared that one died within 18 months following surgery and the other was still alive. Giving Denise a 50/50 chance another opinion was arranged at The Lahey Hospital in Burlington where a renowned specialist agreed to treat Denise using cutting edge surgery which still carried the severe risks but would offer a less intrusive surgery and the opportunity for in home recuperation options. The next hurdle was surgery which was quoted as a 6-8 hour event that ended up lasting for a grueling 13 hours. While the waiting room filled with love ones from afar Denise was put in a medically induced coma , 3 days in intensive care and 10 days in hospital. Once at home many painful nights, tears and uncertainty filled her head. Prayers and well wishes consumed the hours. Life was on hold and bills mounting, prescriptions, travel and medical supplies demanding attention and FMLA denied.
Organizer and beneficiary
Renee Stewart
Organizer
Ludlow, MA
Denise Stewart
Beneficiary
