UPDATE: 1/28/24: To say that I am humbled these days would be an understatement. I thank God always that I feel so strong and that He is preparing me for what may lie ahead. For those who see me frequently, you would never suspect there is a life threatening situation advancing in my body with each passing day. However, those daily aches and moments of tears are my constant reminder that I must make a move! Thank you, THANK YOU to all who are praying, sharing, and donating to get me closer to my treatment path which is desperately need.

I strongly feel In my heart, my treatment plan is to return to Envita in Scottsdale, ASAP! While I wait for needed funds to become a reality and eagerly await my miracle, I am busy at work with researching physicians and more treatment options, conducting tele-health consults, and planning office visits (these are my ‘Plan B’). It’s a busy and very emotional time to say the least as I wait and search.

As you can see many of you are giving me a loving hand up but I am far from my needed goal. I again come to you with a humble heart and ask you to continue to SHARE, continue to PRAY, and/or DONATE as you are led. And also continue to HOPE for my miracle!

THANK YOU TEAM, I feel SO blessed in the midst of my storm. Let’s keep charging forward!

Claudia ❤️

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Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Hi all! I’m Claudia Cyboran. If you recognize me it probably means that I’ve cared for your elderly loved ones, been the delivery nurse for a mom and baby in your family, or taught you to navigate your labor and delivery through our local hospital or local community pregnancy center classes. I have been a nurse with a heart to serve people for almost 20 years (not counting since age 8 which is when I just KNEW that was what I was going to grow up to do! ). You might also know me from my six children, and activities with them growing up.

For those of you that know me, and to introduce myself to those who don’t, I’m a wife to John, and pretty much a happy go lucky, roll with it kind of person. Six adult children and their spouses and almost 11 little ( and bigger) beautiful grand children fill my heart and thoughts daily. I’m a 70s music lover, live a fun life kind of girl. I truly believe that God has given me a sort of protection to my mind and heart so things don’t ‘stick’ to me easily, so, I tend to deal with a challenge and just move on forward. Sometimes, however, I do shove something aside and tell myself to come back to it later (not my best quality). My sister says I run off mentally to Disney World for a bit until I’m ready to deal with it, ha. Well, kidding aside, I’m in the midst of a challenge that I can’t just move on from or shove aside. Sorry mental Disney escape, that’s not happening this time. This challenge will take hard work, discipline, and determination. It’s literally a battle of life and death. I did initially blame myself for not taking better care of the body God gave me, but through Him there’s grace and mercy. Not blame and shame. Some may retreat into sadness and despair. I did not. I cannot. I will not.

I CAN do all things through Him who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13).

In January of 2023, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, more specifically, Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, stage 2. I implemented different treatment options ranging from detoxifying (my body, house, the products I use) to radical lifestyle changes to Interventional Radiology and Integrative Medical approaches. Over the course of this past year, despite my best efforts, my cancer has progressed to Metastatic Breast Cancer, which is advanced and stage 4, affecting my liver, lymph nodes, and chest wall in addition to more than doubling the growth of the primary cluster of tumors, which are now 3 in number. I have the added bonus ( ha!) of testing positive for a genetic predisposition (BRCA1 gene) that increases lifetime risk of breast, ovarian, and even pancreatic cancer. Yay. Makes me just PRAY more! Sometimes I just think “What?? I feel so healthy! I’ve not felt this good in years! More energetic, motivated, and shed about 80 pounds (nice bonus from cleaning myself up!). Aside from these dumb lumps, I feel fantastic!”. Then, the reality of ‘those lumps’ and aches remind me that I am indeed in trouble.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer is a toughie. It makes up about 10-15% of all breast cancers. It’s proven harder to treat than most breast cancers and recurrence and advancing rate is higher than average with a survival rate at 5 years being roughly 12% in metastatic cancer. It’s not easy for me to look at these statistics but they compel me to PRAY harder and find a new course of treatment, which despite insurance coverage, becomes a substancial financial burden. To date, my treatments, as well as supplements and medications, have amounted to in excess of $80,000 we have had to pay out of pocket. Now, that amount will grow exponentially as we pursue different and advanced forms of treatment. To say that the THOUGHT of that ALONE throws me into an emotional state, would be an understatement. However, I do have a strong faith and KNOW my GOD is my provider and I (and my husband) have been praying long and hard for direction, discernment, and wisdom. I feel this a direction he is pointing me in, appealing to YOU all on my own behalf.

In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord directs their steps. Proverbs 16:9

This past summer I had a very brief course of treatment at Envita Clinics in Scottsdale, Arizona, which specializes in Integrative Medicine (to see more: https://www.envita.com/). Integrative medicine uses elements from natural/holistic and conventional treatment methods in a sort of ‘marriage’ and those work together optimally to enhance treatment effects. I feel very strongly led towards this type of treatment modality and that is why I sought their services. I was there 4 weeks for very targeted procedures, but not a whole body/systemic approach (financially, this was more feasible but was still an enormous financial burden). At the time of that treatment, I was uninsured, but in any case, insurance companies do not cover this type of treatment because it’s not considered by medical entities to be conventional oncology standard of care due to the fact that it incorporates more natural methods. Unfortunately my type of tumor did not respond well to the short approach to treatment. I will say that I was counseled to go the long course if possible but it was just financially prohibitive which forced me to go with ‘Plan B’ and hope for the best. (It’s a difficult path to be on when someone has to decide on care based on financial ability. No one should have to. Their worth is far above that constraint.) The long course of treatment at Evita is 12-14 weeks of intensive therapies and procedures. I would go back there in a second and submit to their care for the long term treatment if I could. They have an impressive success rate. My niece was being treated there (long, systemic treatment course for Stage IV breast cancer) while I was there and she had and continues to have tremendous follow up success and has been a given a new lease on life. God has been glorified through her efforts and the efforts of the clinic. As you can see, this gets me VERY excited and hopeful. My heart and mind continually go back there as a first choice for my treatment. This is my goal, to return AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to Envita, however, I still ask God to light and guide my path and provide the finances. I believe He will make this happen! My other goal is LIFE! To be able to live a long life to glorify and lift up my God and his goodness in my life. To carry out his purposes for me and for those around me. I seek God daily asking what is His purpose in all this? What am I to learn from this journey? I make myself teachable and listen for His voice. HE has a plan and path for me and I don’t regret one second of my initial plan for my healing. I KNOW my God has his hand on me. I don’t fear my future, I’m headed for beautiful and eternal rest with the Lord whether it’s next year or 20 years from now. But, while I’m still here, don’t be fooled, I’m making my move and making my mark! ! Not many would say they’re grateful for illness but I have come to realize that I AM! What other earthly thing could possibly give you this kind of wake up call and motivation? I thank God for His tap on the shoulder to get my attention. He has transformed me in so many ways through this trial (well, let’s call it teachable adventure).

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 2-3.

To bring myself back to the point, I do have a strong sense of the clock ticking. Without the money needed to get my preferred treatment, my disease will continue to spread and I become part of the statistics I mentioned above, and not on the positive side. I will not sit idly but keep seeking God’s guidance, moving forward, staying strong and only doing those things that will help my body have the strongest immune system it can possibly muster to face any potential treatments ahead.

Friends, family, and generous donors, I come humbly asking for your help. I am so thankful to have a circle of people in this world that are caring, loving, and giving. I am thankful that I have a God that cares about every hair on my head. I am thankful to live in a country where we still have the freedom to call upon our brothers and sisters for a shoulder to lean on, prayers for spiritual and emotional sustenance, and even a financial boost up.

This has not been an easy thing for me to ask for help but many loved ones have gently guided me in this direction, TOWARDS YOU! God has shown me that I need to be open and humble as I ask you all to join me in financial support, thoughts and prayers. So, with that said, I ask you to prayerfully consider supporting my efforts for getting treatment in the way I feel God is leading me. I will also ask you to SHARE, SHARE, SHARE, as your hearts are led, to others who may also consider supporting my healing journey. Thank you tremendously for your consideration. And, please join us as we approach the throne of God daily with our prayers for healing. His will is my will.

I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. Psalm 120:1.

I have chosen to focus my efforts on getting the treatment that I need at Envita. This gives me give me peace and hope in restored health as God works. His work and your generosity will complete my miracle, my answer to prayer as I continue to move forward as God works through me, any providers, and through you all. I am so grateful for the outpouring of concern and wisdom from caring people. Please remember, your prayers and well wishes will be lovingly accepted and grabbed onto! Thanks to you all in advance and God bless!

Much love from me,

Claudia