Help Stephanie fight breast cancer!
Donation protected
How would you respond if you were just diagnosed with an aggressive, invasive form of cancer? I talked to Stephanie hours after her breast cancer diagnosis, and she immediately said, "I think I can handle the physical stuff, but I don't want to lose my house and my car." This should not be her main concern right now, as she needs to be able to focus on self care and doing everything she can to rid her body of cancer. We can all help her do that!
The Diagnosis
After a recent lumpectomy, Stephanie got a call from her surgeon that nobody wants, "You have an aggressive form of cancer." She has an invasive form of breast cancer, Grade 3, meaning it grows and spreads rapidly. It is unknown at this point if it has spread to her lymph nodes. Stephanie will soon undergo a double mastectomy and then reconstructive surgery. This will happen within the next couple weeks, followed by approximately 6 weeks off work with no pay. At that point her lymph nodes will be evaluated to determine if she will need chemotherapy; and if so, more time off work.
Who is Stephanie? And why doesn't she just use sick time?
If you know Stephanie, you know that she spends her days helping others. She's a Licensed Independent Social Worker and is a clinical therapist in a practice in Ankeny. This position means she gets paid only when she sees clients, and doesn't have sick time, vacation, or short term disability. She will have at least 6 weeks off of work after her mastectomy, which is not including the visits leading up to it that she will miss work for, or the possibility of time off after that for chemotherapy. With this significant time off without any pay, she needs to continue to pay her mortgage, car payment, general bills, food, gas, and a very large insurance deductible.
Any amount you can give will be a help, and the money will be spent to pay for necessities so that Stephanie can focus on getting well. This is a scary time for her, and she needs all of her energy to get rid of this cancer!
The Diagnosis
After a recent lumpectomy, Stephanie got a call from her surgeon that nobody wants, "You have an aggressive form of cancer." She has an invasive form of breast cancer, Grade 3, meaning it grows and spreads rapidly. It is unknown at this point if it has spread to her lymph nodes. Stephanie will soon undergo a double mastectomy and then reconstructive surgery. This will happen within the next couple weeks, followed by approximately 6 weeks off work with no pay. At that point her lymph nodes will be evaluated to determine if she will need chemotherapy; and if so, more time off work.
Who is Stephanie? And why doesn't she just use sick time?
If you know Stephanie, you know that she spends her days helping others. She's a Licensed Independent Social Worker and is a clinical therapist in a practice in Ankeny. This position means she gets paid only when she sees clients, and doesn't have sick time, vacation, or short term disability. She will have at least 6 weeks off of work after her mastectomy, which is not including the visits leading up to it that she will miss work for, or the possibility of time off after that for chemotherapy. With this significant time off without any pay, she needs to continue to pay her mortgage, car payment, general bills, food, gas, and a very large insurance deductible.
Any amount you can give will be a help, and the money will be spent to pay for necessities so that Stephanie can focus on getting well. This is a scary time for her, and she needs all of her energy to get rid of this cancer!
Organizer and beneficiary
Alyson Pearson
Organizer
Boone, IA
Stephanie Wheeler
Beneficiary
