Main fundraiser photo

Craig’s Battle Against Brain Cancer

Hi my name is Kayla Shiffer and I’m trying to raise money for my stepfather Craig and mother Sandy. Craig served 10 years in the US Navy. He married my mom when I was just 7 years old. He has played a major role in my life, He has helped my mom raise me for the past 18 years. He’s had a HUGE impact not only on my life but my daughter’s life as well. Below is a brief break down of this life changing event that has occurred in my family’s life recently. July 2017 Craig was not feeling well. My mother had taken him to the doctor where they ran multiple tests, CT scans, MRI's, full body PET scan, and several blood tests. Doctors were unable to find anything. December 16, 2017 Craig was hospitalized for 12 days causing him to miss the Christmas holidays with family. His sodium levels were very low to the point that he was extremely dizzy and disoriented. Doctors could not figure out what was causing this. He was released from the hospital on December 27, 2017. He was prescribed salt pills and a sodium drink in hopes to get his sodium levels up to normal. He was limited on his fluid intake and only allowed 34oz of any fluid per day. By the end of January 2018 his sodium levels were finally at the low end of normal. This was great news, we thought for sure he should start feeling much better. This was not the case! He was not getting better, but worse! My mother contacted his doctor who referred him to a neurologist. He seen the neurologist on February 14, 2018. On February 15, 2018 he had another MRI done. On February 16, 2018 the doctor called my mother and told her to take him to the hospital immediately because he needed to be admitted for more testing. After 22 days, multiple tests and a brain biopsy pending results from UCSF he was discharged and admitted to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation as he had lost his ability to walk, feed himself and talk. After 2 horrible weeks in the skilled nursing facility, March 22, 2018 he began running a fever. My mother had the nursing facility transport him to the nearest hospital where he was admitted to ICU and developed a respiratory infection. On March 27, 2018 we had finally received a definite diagnosis from UCSF. We were so happy that we finally had a diagnosis, but then it turned out to be the diagnosis we were dreading..brain cancer (Diffuse astrocytic neoplasm). Currently we are at a stand still, until the respiratory infection is completely gone we do not know what the next steps will be. Over the course of months my mother has missed a ton of work and is currently still missing work to be at the hospital everyday to be with my stepdad. With her missing so much work, while also trying to take care of bills, and prepare for Craig to hopefully come home soon I ask that any kind donations are GREATLY appreciated. When Craig does get released to go home there are a lot of things that will need to be bought in order for him to have the proper care at home as well as paying to have a full time in home care nurse.
Donate

Donations 

  • Debra Burk
    • $100 
    • 6 yrs
Donate

Organizer and beneficiary

Kayla Shiffer
Organizer
Florin, CA
Sandy Culbertson
Beneficiary

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.