Please help our beautiful Sister, Teresa Stevenson, fight the fight of Stage IV Breast Cancer that matisized to her brain. She is a wonderful mother of 3, gram gram to a precious grandson. She has dedicated her ENTIRE life to help others . She is a passionate School Teacher of 22 years.

Our entire family, & friends will be FOREVER grateful for any help that you could give. We want our sister to have 100% focus on being strong, to fight this cancer! We don’t want her to worry about the HUGE financial side of it.  Unfortunately she has a VERY high deductible.

We don’t want her to worry about having to go back to work during brain radiation treatments,chemo therapy for the breast cancer,having all the side effects,etc.  Again thank you so much for your consideration 

As difficult as this is for her she wanted to tell her story in her own words and express her appreciation for your time and consideration. Below is our precious Sisters story in her own words. #teresastrong

Lean on Me (Lyrics)- Bill Withers 

 This moment, asking for help, will be one of the most difficult things that I have done since I received some unfortunate news on January 13, 2023. I am used to relying on myself, but now I need to lean on others. I am quite literally crying my eyes out at that thought…perhaps a little too much pride. 

 What is Happening: 

On Friday, January 13, 2023 I was admitted into the ICU after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer that has spread to my brain. The Breast Cancer is Stage 3, very rapidly growing and aggressive from what I understand. I was in the ICU a couple of days, and then another 2 or 3 days in a different area to get the swelling down in my brain before I could be safe at home. It all happened so fast. 

 It is rather shocking because I have had mammograms. I had set several doctor appointments only to cancel because symptoms subsided. I only had mild symptoms of swelling in my breast around mid December. Then the headaches started around Christmas. I had a doctor appointment on Friday at 4 p.m. By Friday morning the 13th I was throwing up when I stood up and walking sideways when I was trying to go straight. I implore you to pay attention to your body. I was, but perhaps not close enough. 

I can’t work or drive and I am waiting to find out whether I will be approved for Disability Retirement through TRS. The entire process will be at least two months. It is a bit frustrating because won’t let me pick up the paperwork, and they said it takes two weeks to mail it out. Then a medical board of doctors will decide if I qualify. The entire process will be at least two months. I do plan on asking someone to drive me down to Austin to hasten the paperwork, but that will lessen it by few days. 

I am being fully docked /no pay as of February 3rd 

Like so many others, I am a giver, so this is so difficult to ask for this assistance 

 Please know I have given to friends, family and strangers in similar circumstances. If you decide to offer assistance, please indicate a secondary charity so that I can pass on to others any funds that are left over. Just send me an email or make a note. I don’t really know how this works, but I will make a pledge to pay it forward if at all possible. Please do just let me know your preference. My email address is : [email redacted]. 

What is to Come: I have three more brain radiation appointments. Then the follow up in 6 weeks as I mentioned earlier. I will be getting my Chemo port outpatient surgery on Friday…hopefully the ice is gone by then. I am going to get a ECHOcardiogram done Monday. 

 They found an irregularity on an EKG. Something about my top part of my heart not working quickly enough. Hopefully that will be resolved with medications. Just putting that out there.

 I had a PET scan scheduled, but thanks to IceMagedon 2023 that will have to be rescheduled. This will check my bones from what I understand. 

 Let’s just hope that Breast and Brain Cancer are enough for now. 

Promising news: With the Brain Radiation treatments, I am told I have a 90% chance of having those six “brain lesions” extinct or gone. With a 5% or less chance of any brain necrosis. I am told if there is any brain necrosis it would be short term memory and balance issues, etc. Things I kind of already have issues with my Rheumatoid Arthritis and age, so not the make light I seems pretty manageable. A follow up MRI in six weeks after the brain radiation is complete will tell a hopeful tale is what I am putting out to the universe. 

My medical oncologist says that I may be a perfect candidate for a study at Baylor which would be me receiving these promising medications…zero chance of placebos. As soon as I hear more, I will update. 

I just wanted to say thank you to my friends and family who have already provided me with so much support, acts of kindness and service. I suppose you always know your family will pull through for you, but it has brought me joy and warmed my heart in these difficult times. 

The image below is for my brain radiation mask. I call it my fencing mask, and it is rather appropo because I’m ready to fight this with all my heart and soul. I believe that the song below says it all too… Thank you for taking the time to read, and any little bit will help. These are tough times, so I completely understand not being able to give. Any encouraging words or positive experiences will be appreciated just as much. 

Rachel Platten - Fight Song (Lyrics)