Fight like a Girl
Donation protected
Our dear friend and coworker, Shannon Graham, was recently newly diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29. She has a wonderfully supportive husband, Mike, and a beautiful 2 year old daughter, Ella, to help her through her journey along with many other loved ones.
Here is part of Shannon's story in her own words..
"About a month and a half ago, I was getting ready for work, lifted my arm to put on deodorant and felt some pain so I felt around and came across a lump in my left breast. They sent me for a mammogram and breast ultrasound on 4/10 and they told me that it looked to be abnormal. He told me I had 50/50% of it being cancer or not and they needed to do a biopsy. So on 4/14 I had the biopsy and on 4/16 was when I received that 1 phone call that turned my whole world upside down faster than I blinked.
The next day I was down at Magee meeting my team of doctors and learning about my cancer and the plan. They said that it is the most common type- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. They said that the cancer is aggressive, but not growing out of control. I will go through fertility treatments first because after chemotherapy, it could possibly leave me sterile and in early menopause and then after they go in and retrieve my eggs and freeze them, I will then start 24 weeks of chemotherapy first, I will lose my hair which is extremely difficult for me but I need my life more than my hair and then after my chemo I will have my surgery and the 4 weeks after that I will receive 6 weeks of radiation everyday.
Even though this is so devastating to myself and my family, I have been so extremely blessed so far with all of the positive news that I have received. The cancer is in my lymph nodes and I had a bone scan and CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis last Friday and got the call today that it HAS NOT SPREAD!!!! This is the first time since all this has happened that I feel like I am able to breathe again. Mike has been my rock throughout all of this and I could never imagine making it through any of this without him and without the support of all of my family, friends and coworkers. I love you all so much. So, I am urging everyone--please pay attention to your body, perform self breast exams because cancer is not particular on who it chooses. I will fight this battle, I am going to win and I will be a survivor!"
As most of you know, medical bills are not cheap. Shannons bills will continute to add up so we are reaching out to anyone and everyone who can help in any way. Every donation is greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to Shannon during the next few months.
A few examples of what the funds raised through this site will be used for:
-Surgery and Reconstruction
-Medical treatment costs (chemo, radiation, other medications, as needed)
-Any and all procedures necessary to help protect Shannon's fertility
-Bills and expenses that will add up while Shannon is out of work
-Any other unanticipated costs that come along with this fight
Please also note that any funds collected that Shannon does not end up needing to cover the costs outlined above will be promptly donated to causes that help the other women and men bravely battling cancer around the country.
Here is part of Shannon's story in her own words..
"About a month and a half ago, I was getting ready for work, lifted my arm to put on deodorant and felt some pain so I felt around and came across a lump in my left breast. They sent me for a mammogram and breast ultrasound on 4/10 and they told me that it looked to be abnormal. He told me I had 50/50% of it being cancer or not and they needed to do a biopsy. So on 4/14 I had the biopsy and on 4/16 was when I received that 1 phone call that turned my whole world upside down faster than I blinked.
The next day I was down at Magee meeting my team of doctors and learning about my cancer and the plan. They said that it is the most common type- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. They said that the cancer is aggressive, but not growing out of control. I will go through fertility treatments first because after chemotherapy, it could possibly leave me sterile and in early menopause and then after they go in and retrieve my eggs and freeze them, I will then start 24 weeks of chemotherapy first, I will lose my hair which is extremely difficult for me but I need my life more than my hair and then after my chemo I will have my surgery and the 4 weeks after that I will receive 6 weeks of radiation everyday.
Even though this is so devastating to myself and my family, I have been so extremely blessed so far with all of the positive news that I have received. The cancer is in my lymph nodes and I had a bone scan and CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis last Friday and got the call today that it HAS NOT SPREAD!!!! This is the first time since all this has happened that I feel like I am able to breathe again. Mike has been my rock throughout all of this and I could never imagine making it through any of this without him and without the support of all of my family, friends and coworkers. I love you all so much. So, I am urging everyone--please pay attention to your body, perform self breast exams because cancer is not particular on who it chooses. I will fight this battle, I am going to win and I will be a survivor!"
As most of you know, medical bills are not cheap. Shannons bills will continute to add up so we are reaching out to anyone and everyone who can help in any way. Every donation is greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to Shannon during the next few months.
A few examples of what the funds raised through this site will be used for:
-Surgery and Reconstruction
-Medical treatment costs (chemo, radiation, other medications, as needed)
-Any and all procedures necessary to help protect Shannon's fertility
-Bills and expenses that will add up while Shannon is out of work
-Any other unanticipated costs that come along with this fight
Please also note that any funds collected that Shannon does not end up needing to cover the costs outlined above will be promptly donated to causes that help the other women and men bravely battling cancer around the country.
Organizer and beneficiary
Taylor Tritschler
Organizer
Pittsburgh, PA
Shannon Graham
Beneficiary
