Memorial & Medical Fund for Alexis Faupel, Age 21
Donation protected
In 1998, Bonnie & Ron, in their 40's, finally had 'a baby'. Actually, due to fertility treatments & invitro, they had THREE. 2 boys & 1 girl. They had triplets. Their only pregnancy. Both professionals, Ron being a psychologist, Bonnie being a professor years ago, before becoming an administrative assistant after the major downsizing we've experienced here in Arkansas....they managed to raise these 3 kids.
I've worked for them a while now. When the triplets came home around Spring Break, something was WRONG. Alexis had a lump on her neck that wouldn't go down. She had went to her infirmary at college, and Urgent Care Clinics. Thought it was maybe infected salivary glands... an infection, viral, etc. She made it to her lifelong physician, Dr Washington, during a that break. Dr Washington immediately recognized something was very wrong, especially from the bloodwork. But Alexis was driven. She was determined to finish the semester before facing the biopsies and treatment. And she did finish that semester, even with not feeling well at all, and the stress of not knowing. She's the strongest young woman you could have ever met. We don't truly know those few months or weeks or so would have made and difference, to be honest. So the summer came along.. and the biopsies.
This was germ cell ovarian cancer, and advanced. Alexis was Stage III or IV, very advanced. They didn't realize how far it had spread at first. She just has a swollen throat. Right? Her cancer had spread from the ovaries to the lymph nodes, to her lungs and tissues. Likely her bones as well, as she was suffering from severe pain, especially leg pain the last week or so.
We won't know those details for a while. What we DO know is that germ cell cancers happen mainly in the very young, and that it is on an uprise, especially ovarian. There are many studies right now, in an attempt to find the cause. Alexis, even in the end, wants to help those studies.
See, today, at 21, Alexis lost her battle to cancer. Less than around 2 months in from diagnosis. They weren't even sure where all it was at... attempted to intubate her to give her lungs a break. She coded. All CPR and attempts to resuscitate her failed. Her ovarian cancer was actually a stage III, but most likely IV, and invaded her lungs & several areas of her body. She gracefully left this world. Her battle with with cancer was aggressive, and very rapid. It was had spread rampantly. It just spread too fast. They tried every resuscitation effort possible.
Her parents are left behind to deal with not only the death of their only daughter, but the medical costs as well. They do have insurance, but it is by far not covering it all.
Alexis was a very strong, selfless young woman. She spent her off time from college (even during high school) doing work as a missionary and summer church camp counselor. She loved to spread the word of God, and to share the love of her faith. She was a beautiful motivational speaker, and I have full belief she would have made it far in life doing just that. She lit up a room eith her contagious smile & voice. She made her family proud, and there was an instantaneous love from anyone who met met her, and listened to her speak. The world is a much better place, just by having her here for 21 years. Ask anyone who knew her. There are so many testimonials from her friends and acquaintances, the stories about her are amazing.
I have worked for them a year now. They are great people. Help them recover from this respectfully, and without worry. Please.
Alexis would not have wanted them to have this stress upon them.
****If you notice the change in goal, let me explain. I didn't have any idea of how many medical expenses were not covered fully by insurance. After speaking with Alexis's mother just now, I finally got a better idea. Not only have they lost their only daughter, but now there is a MOUNTAIN of medical bills coming in. I had no idea. I'm a cancer survivor myself, and I am so grateful that mine was very rapidly found & treated. It is ridiculous that insurance doesn't cover 100% on this. Their medical bills are ASTRONOMICAL.
I just wanted to take a moment, and explain the change. We just want to give them some sort or removal of financial burden thru this. Bonnie works as an administrative assistant now, making a fraction of what she used to.
**Edit**
Exactly what Alexis would have wanted from this whole situation, is happening. Her tragic ending will hopefully help ensure other young women don't have this same story. Through the Genesis Foundation, and her unique gift of herself, they can possibly find more knowledge about germ cell cancers, and how to diagnose them earlier & treat them. Alexis has given the most Ultimate Gift. She's given herself to the research studies for this evil disease.
I've worked for them a while now. When the triplets came home around Spring Break, something was WRONG. Alexis had a lump on her neck that wouldn't go down. She had went to her infirmary at college, and Urgent Care Clinics. Thought it was maybe infected salivary glands... an infection, viral, etc. She made it to her lifelong physician, Dr Washington, during a that break. Dr Washington immediately recognized something was very wrong, especially from the bloodwork. But Alexis was driven. She was determined to finish the semester before facing the biopsies and treatment. And she did finish that semester, even with not feeling well at all, and the stress of not knowing. She's the strongest young woman you could have ever met. We don't truly know those few months or weeks or so would have made and difference, to be honest. So the summer came along.. and the biopsies.
This was germ cell ovarian cancer, and advanced. Alexis was Stage III or IV, very advanced. They didn't realize how far it had spread at first. She just has a swollen throat. Right? Her cancer had spread from the ovaries to the lymph nodes, to her lungs and tissues. Likely her bones as well, as she was suffering from severe pain, especially leg pain the last week or so.
We won't know those details for a while. What we DO know is that germ cell cancers happen mainly in the very young, and that it is on an uprise, especially ovarian. There are many studies right now, in an attempt to find the cause. Alexis, even in the end, wants to help those studies.
See, today, at 21, Alexis lost her battle to cancer. Less than around 2 months in from diagnosis. They weren't even sure where all it was at... attempted to intubate her to give her lungs a break. She coded. All CPR and attempts to resuscitate her failed. Her ovarian cancer was actually a stage III, but most likely IV, and invaded her lungs & several areas of her body. She gracefully left this world. Her battle with with cancer was aggressive, and very rapid. It was had spread rampantly. It just spread too fast. They tried every resuscitation effort possible.
Her parents are left behind to deal with not only the death of their only daughter, but the medical costs as well. They do have insurance, but it is by far not covering it all.
Alexis was a very strong, selfless young woman. She spent her off time from college (even during high school) doing work as a missionary and summer church camp counselor. She loved to spread the word of God, and to share the love of her faith. She was a beautiful motivational speaker, and I have full belief she would have made it far in life doing just that. She lit up a room eith her contagious smile & voice. She made her family proud, and there was an instantaneous love from anyone who met met her, and listened to her speak. The world is a much better place, just by having her here for 21 years. Ask anyone who knew her. There are so many testimonials from her friends and acquaintances, the stories about her are amazing.
I have worked for them a year now. They are great people. Help them recover from this respectfully, and without worry. Please.
Alexis would not have wanted them to have this stress upon them.
****If you notice the change in goal, let me explain. I didn't have any idea of how many medical expenses were not covered fully by insurance. After speaking with Alexis's mother just now, I finally got a better idea. Not only have they lost their only daughter, but now there is a MOUNTAIN of medical bills coming in. I had no idea. I'm a cancer survivor myself, and I am so grateful that mine was very rapidly found & treated. It is ridiculous that insurance doesn't cover 100% on this. Their medical bills are ASTRONOMICAL.
I just wanted to take a moment, and explain the change. We just want to give them some sort or removal of financial burden thru this. Bonnie works as an administrative assistant now, making a fraction of what she used to.
**Edit**
Exactly what Alexis would have wanted from this whole situation, is happening. Her tragic ending will hopefully help ensure other young women don't have this same story. Through the Genesis Foundation, and her unique gift of herself, they can possibly find more knowledge about germ cell cancers, and how to diagnose them earlier & treat them. Alexis has given the most Ultimate Gift. She's given herself to the research studies for this evil disease.
Organizer and beneficiary
Blair Joellen
Organizer
Cabot, AR
Bonnie Cox Faupel
Beneficiary