Miracle Fund: Helping Steph DesForges Battle Cancer Round 4

In 2024, my journey took an unexpected turn when a PET scan revealed nodules in my lungs. At first, my doctors assured me that these nodules were not a cause for concern. However, a year later, a follow-up scan showed that the nodules had grown, leading me to undergo a biopsy of my lungs on March 27th. The biopsy results were devastating - the nodules were positive for malignancy.

Since then, my life has been a whirlwind of treatments and challenges. I underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, which took a toll on my physical and emotional well-being. The side effects were overwhelming, causing me to lose forty pounds and experience excruciating pain and discomfort. It was a difficult decision, but I eventually moved in with my parents, Warren & Pat Marse, who graciously offered their support and care during this trying time.

My children have also been invaluable in helping me cope with the daily tasks I can no longer manage on my own. Their love and assistance have been a lifeline, and I am endlessly grateful for their presence in my life.

Now, as I prepare for immunotherapy, my doctors have advised me to take a break to regain the strength I lost during chemotherapy. This break will not only help me physically, but also mentally and emotionally as I gather the energy needed for the next phase of my treatment.

Through it all, I have come to realize the importance of building a support network and accepting help when it is offered. However, the financial burden of my medical expenses has become overwhelming. That is why I am reaching out to you, my community, for support.

By coming together as a community, we can not only lighten the financial burden, but also send a powerful message of support and hope. I am immensely grateful for any help you can provide, and I know that with your assistance, I can continue my fight against this disease.

Jayme Roddy with Mike Bruno’s Freedom Harley-Davidson, my husband Stephen, and my sister Jennifer Marse Luquette are organizing a Fundraiser to help alleviate the financial strain caused by my medical journey. Your contribution will make a significant difference in my ability to access the treatments and resources I need to fight this battle. No amount is too small, and every donation will be deeply appreciated.

Throughout this entire journey, Stephanie's courage and resilience have been nothing short of remarkable, inspiring all those who know her and underscoring the importance of supporting her in her ongoing fight against cancer. As we prepare for the upcoming fundraiser, we hold Stephanie's journey close to our hearts, seeking to make a meaningful impact on her life and her battle against cancer.

Benefit / Fundraiser for Stephanie DesForges at Mike Bruno’s Freedom Harley-Davidson 5853 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge. Car, Truck, Jeep & Bike Show, Silent Auction, 50/50, Vendors, Food, and Live Music. Event Time…9 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Benefit / Fundraiser for Stephanie Marse DesForges at Mike Bruno’s Freedom Harley-Davidson 5853 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge. Car, Truck, Jeep & Bike Show, Silent Auction, 50/50, Vendors, Food, and Live Music. Event Time…9 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Auction items

Charter Fishing Trip for 3 with Buras Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Captain Ross Luquette & Cajun Fishing Adventures. Value $2,575.

Doris Metropolitan- Chef's Dinner for 8 with Wine Pairing.

Value $2,000.

Boudreaux's Value $700

If you are not able to attend the Fundraiser on Saturday, September 14th in Baton Rouge. You can still help by donating to Stephanie's journey. Donate below.

Thank you for your generosity and for standing by my sister’s side during this challenging time.

December 2022

Two years have passed, and Stephanie's journey has been marked by recurring pain in the left lower pelvis, the same area where she bravely fought colon cancer on two previous occasions. In mid-December, a CT scan revealed a six-centimeter tumor in the exact same location. This time, the tumor had entangled itself around the nerves in her left hip, causing numbness in her leg and affecting three left abdominal muscles and the abdominal wall. Unfortunately, it was deemed inoperable at that point. Undeterred, Stephanie began her grueling battle with unwavering determination.

This is Stephanie’s story.

Stephanie is an incredible wife and mother of two; her family is her whole life. Her son Patrick (25 yrs) and daughter Sophie (15 yrs) remember all too well the last time she battled cancer, our whole family does and we will all come together again to get through this. We just need your help.

Starting on January 19th, 2023, at Ochsner, she embarked on a sixteen-week chemotherapy regimen, with treatments scheduled every other week. Following a brief two-week reprieve, she underwent five weeks of daily radiation focused on the affected area. After four weeks of healing, she was finally given a surgical date, which marked a crucial turning point in her fight against cancer.

July 7th, 2023

The day of surgery arrived, and Stephanie was in the capable hands of both an oncology surgeon and a plastic surgeon. The tumor, tightly bound to her pelvis bone, had to be delicately removed, and some remnants had to be painstakingly scraped away. Additionally, part of her three left abdominal muscles and abdominal wall required removal. It was an extensive six-hour surgery, during which a skilled plastic surgeon worked to repair the abdominal muscles and reinforce the missing abdominal wall with a carefully placed mesh.

The road to recovery proved to be a challenging one. The night following surgery, Stephanie encountered issues with her intestines, prompting the need for a nasal gastric tube to be inserted to help with digestion. Furthermore, a rapid response team was called when her heart rate spiked above 130, leading to concerns about a potential blood clot in her lung. Fortunately, that wasn't the case, but Stephanie had to be put on IV medications to alleviate swelling in her extremities.

After seven days in the hospital, Stephanie was finally released to return home, beginning a new chapter in her journey to recovery. It has been three weeks since that day, and she was having an extremely difficult recovery with excruciating pain. Upon a post-operative visit July 31st, the doctor readmitted her to the hospital. Further testing determined she developed an infection from the surgery. She remained in the hospital for five days. Stephanie is steadily making progress, determined to return to work as soon as she can.

Throughout this entire journey, Stephanie's courage and resilience have been nothing short of remarkable, inspiring all those who know her and underscoring the importance of supporting her in her ongoing fight against cancer.

This is Stephanie’s story.

Stephanie is an incredible wife and mother of two; her family is her whole life. Her son Patrick (25 yrs) and daughter Sophie (15 yrs) remember all too well the last time she battled cancer, our whole family does and we will all come together again to get through this. We just need your help.

While working on the frontlines as a charge nurse on the COVID-19 floor at Terrebonne General Medical Center, my sister Stephanie DesForges was diagnosed as having a metastatic cancerous tumor in her pelvis and two lymph nodes. This metastatic poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma is consistent with her previous colon cancer. For the second time in her life this strong 47 year old finds herself preparing to fight colon cancer that she defeated six years ago. 

This is Stephanie’s story.

2020

Stephanie is an incredible wife and mother of two; her family is her whole life. Her son Patrick (22 yrs) and daughter Sophie (12 yrs) remember all too well the last time she battled cancer, our whole family does and we will all come together again to get through this. We just need your help.

Steph passionately serves others, day in and day out, as an RN on the Cardiac Unit at Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma, Louisiana and has for the past 11 years. She picks up extra shifts to help pay off her 2014 medical expenses, put her daughter through school, and provide for her family.

Things were looking good for the DesForges family in the beginning of 2020 as Stephanie’s husband Stephen established his new position this January after having been laid off early last year. However, in the midst of the pandemic, while working tirelessly to help her patients fight COVID-19, Steph began to feel sharp pain in the same location as her previous cancer and immediately contacted her oncologist, gastroenterologist, and colon surgeon.

On April 28th, 2020, with no one allowed to be by her side due to the pandemic, Stephanie had to go in alone to receive her results and found herself preparing to fight cancer once again. The chemotherapy this time around is so much more debilitating than before. The addition of a fourth, more aggressive drug means that it is impossible for her to eat or even get out of bed for roughly five days. She’s had to be moved off of the COVID floor and returning to work after chemo has proven very difficult to say the least. This is why we need your help.

Timeline and Updates!

March 2020 – Stephanie DesForges, an RN taking care of COVID-19 patients in the height of the pandemic, developed sharp lower abdominal pain in the same area as her previous colon cancer six years ago. The pandemic made it difficult for her to be seen by her doctor in person for the necessary examinations and meant that she would have to receive her diagnosis alone.

April 2020 – Stephanie received her test results. CAT scan exposes a golf ball sized tumor in her pelvis, a 1.5 cm left periaortic node, and a 0.7 cm left periaortic node. Biopsy showed metastatic poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Our mom and her husband waited in the car listening over speakerphone as the doctor laid out the fight ahead, a fight Stephanie fiercely and immediately began.

May 2020 – Steph was given her first round of chemo on May 12th, 2020. Her previous chemotherapy consisted of three drugs and she was mostly able to return to work afterwards. This time around they’ve added a fourth, much more aggressive drug that has made it nearly impossible for her to return to work after. This additional drug has given her far worse side-effects than she faced before. After her weekly Tuesday chemotherapy, she is unable to eat or even get out of bed for roughly five days. My sister is a fighter and I know she is giving this fight all she’s got.

Continue reading below for more information about treatment and her previous fight with colon cancer…

2014 Bout with Colon Cancer

Stephanie first went to the hospital two days after Mother’s Day 2014 with severe abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with diverticulitis requiring surgery. The surgery could not be done until she could stay out of the hospital for 6 weeks consecutively. She was in and out of the ER with various hospital stays due to excruciating pain all summer. There were multiple times we were terrified she might not make it.

She developed blood clots everywhere from a PICC line used for IV antibiotics, had abdominal drains from ruptured diverticulum, and became septic. Steph finally had surgery that September and was diagnosed with stage III-A colon cancer. Chemotherapy started immediately thereafter and continued for the next 6 months.

Our family made sure that Steph had someone with her every session of chemo. Each one of us could see the toll chemo took on her but without a second thought she remained strong, determined, and beautifully committed to beating this cancer. She continued to work twelve hour shifts as an RN during her chemotherapy treatments. As she was in the biggest fight of her life, she never wavered in assisting her patients through their individual battles.

Since defeating this cancer the first time she has been taking extra shifts to pay off the medical bills that this fight accrued. This time around is expected to cost much more and the added chemotherapy drugs have made it almost impossible for her to return to work after her weekly Tuesday treatments. This is why we need your help.

Treatment Plan

Treatment plans have not yet been finalized but at this time the doctors are using chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumors. Stephanie will undergo surgery to have the pelvic tumor removed. The periaortic nodes located near the aorta artery are more difficult to get to. The doctors are considering surgery the first week of august; although changes will be made as future CAT scans are considered.

Chemotherapy – Aggressive six month regimen of four drugs. The chemotherapy is very debilitating making it impossible for her to eat or even get out of bed for five days much less return to work. Her first round of chemo was May 12th, 2020.

Surgery – Needed to remove the pelvic tumor and involved lymph nodes. Periaortic lymph nodes are a group of lymph nodes that lie near the aorta artery. It’s a more difficult surgery requiring a vascular surgeon plus a general surgeon.

Estimated surgery date: first week of August 2020.

Estimated treatment plan cost:

Chemotherapy treatment includes four drugs. Avastin plus Folfox (which is a combination of 3 chemo therapies).

Chemotherapy monthly cost: $7,500 x 6 months = $45,000 totally cost

Surgery at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, Louisiana

Surgery and hospital estimated cost = $47,000

We do not know all the details, especially on costs. As her fight adapts and changes, so do the costs. We are estimating on the low end as to not ask for more than is needed.

The costs cannot all be clearly articulated now but we do know that they have an insurance deductible to meet, multiple treatments in and out of network, and loss of one source of income because the chemotherapy makes it just about impossible for her to return to work for five days post-chemo.

As more information becomes available, we will provide updates and possible financial adjustments to this fundraiser.

Estimated expenses include: insurance deductible, 20% of in-network treatment/surgery, loss of Stephanie’s income for 6 months and equals an estimated $68,400.

 

                     Stephanie’s fundraising goal is $65,000.

In summary/TLDR:

Stephanie and her family are in need of your help during the most trying and difficult time of their lives.

Stephanie is a fighter and although her world has just been turned upside down for the second time, she has been so brave throughout it all from the start and she is ready to fight and beat this cancer.

Please help Stephanie and her family as they battle this terrible disease!

All funds raised will go directly to the DesForges family and will be used to pay for Stephanie’s medical treatment.

       Any amount, large or small, will help and is most greatly appreciated.

 

                We thank you for your donations, prayers, and support.

 

     If you are unable to donate, please help us by sharing this page with others.

 You can use the hashtag #StephKicksCancersAss on Instagram and any other social media platform! Check out the Instagram page we’ve setup, @StephBeatsCancer so Stephanie can share updates, pictures, and any other information throughout this fight.

THANK YOU!