Donazione protetta
I have often told people that if my sister Steph has your back, you should consider yourself lucky. Her loyalty is unwavering and her generosity is immense. Not only will she lend a sympathetic ear in times of trouble, but she'll also bolster your confidence and make you feel like you can overcome any curveball life throws at you.
Unfortunately, due to significant, ongoing health challenges, my warm-hearted, independent, tough-as-nails sister has been unable to work during most of 2019. As someone who has been a paragon of strength and self-sufficiency her entire life, this has been devastating for Steph, as well as for those of us who know how important her self-reliance is to her.
We understand that people care deeply about Steph and want to return her acts of kindness and love. So after lots of soul-searching and thoughtful conversations, which included convincing Steph that it's OK to accept this help, her family and friends are setting up a Go Fund Me campaign. We hope to raise enough money to tide Steph over until she can start working again.
Here is Steph's story in her own words.
Hi,
I want to start by saying thank you so much for taking the time and interest to read my story. My name is Stephanie, and I’m a 51-year-old self-employed hairstylist and make-up artist. Throughout the past 11 years, I’ve been diagnosed with varying degrees of severe health issues, from lymphedema to cancer. For most of that time, even during the worst pain and struggle, I’ve been able to continue working as I supported myself and my three sweet cats.
Then in March of this year after another health challenge, I lost much of my body's ability to easily move and breathe, and have not been able to work since. The process of recovery has been much slower than I ever anticipated, and six months later, I’ve exhausted all my ideas and resources on how to support myself. With the encouragement of friends and family, I realized it’s time to step outside of my comfort zone to finally share my story and ask for help.
My first real health challenge started in 2008, the year I turned 40, with a diagnosis of breast cancer. I chose a mostly unpopular path to recovery, but with the help of a trusted kinesiologist, I healed my body naturally with food, herbs, and alternative therapies. After three years of this type of treatment, I had the tumor and sentinel lymph node removed and was breast cancer-free.
In 2013 I started to develop lymphedema, a condition caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system, which can occur after the removal of one or more lymph nodes. Lymphedema has varying degrees of severity and makes it difficult for your body to clear things like infections, toxins, and chaotic cells. It also has no real treatment and no cure.
In my case, it started mildly enough; at first, I thought it was a rash showing up in the form of small hard bumps on my left breast. Then over a few years, the bumps or tumors slowly grew and spread across my chest, devouring my breasts and leaving painful open wounds and tissue. I was able to slow the growth of these tumors through a healthy lifestyle and alternative treatments but was unable to stop the spread completely. This particular type of lymphedema has been very painful and physically debilitating, but I’ve always found a way to rise above the pain, maintain a level of hope and continue to live my life in a way that may not look it, but feels very full.
By 2014, it became increasingly difficult to work as the lymphedema progressed, and not just because of the pain. Although my immune system was still working, the blockage within my lymphatic system caused painful fluid to build up in my chest and upper arms, making it difficult to stand and move my arms. It became harder for my body to clear infections, and I often found myself sick and unable to get out of bed. These bouts with illness would sometimes last for weeks at a time, making it necessary to cancel appointments and subsequently lose clients. The lymphedema became debilitating enough that I was forced to make major changes to my lifestyle, and by 2016, I had become mostly homebound. Fortunately, I was able to set up a make-shift salon in my basement, which allowed me to continue working at my own pace, even with my limitations.
In October of 2017, my health took a turn for the worse. During an emergency room visit for pneumonia, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the breasts, lungs, and bones. I was given a month to live with no option for a cure. In a state of shock, and without a real plan, I dug deep into my faith and continued the routine of healing myself with natural treatments while working just enough to make ends meet. Weeks turned to months, and months turned to a year, and instead of getting worse, miraculously, I started to feel better.
It looked like I was on my way to recovery, and then in March of this year, I caught another lung infection where without a late-night ambulance ride to the emergency room, I would have died. This time the lymphedema had gotten so out of control that it filled my entire body with thick heavy fluid making it almost impossible to move. I was told that the pericardium sac around my heart was also fluid-filled, disabling my heart's ability to function, and an immediate risky procedure was needed. The fluid was successfully removed from the pericardium, and after a week in the hospital and three weeks in transitional care, I was finally able to come home. But the fluid in my arms and chest was still massive, and more than my body could clear.
Even now, six months later, it’s challenging to do most things for myself. With the support of close friends, family, an oxygen tank, and for a while a walker, I’ve been able to regain a bit of independence within my home and continue to move forward on the healing process. However, for the first time in my life, I haven’t been able to work or even guess when I will have enough strength and mobility to get back on my feet. I do see progress and remain optimistic as I endeavor every day to accomplish simple tasks that most people would take for granted. But I still need the help of many people, and it’s become too much for family and friends alone to support me.
I feel optimistic and hopeful about my recovery but also feel the stress of needing to pay for my basic necessities without having an income. So I’m asking for help. Because I so badly want to get better once and for all, and I genuinely believe as the stress of daily finances is lifted, I will be able to fully devote my attention and energy to my certain recovery.
I am grateful beyond expression for the help that has already been given to me. And with the knowledge that healing can happen when you open your heart to help, I am humbled and thankful for any offerings that graciously come my way.
Thank you
Peace&Love
Stephanie
Unfortunately, due to significant, ongoing health challenges, my warm-hearted, independent, tough-as-nails sister has been unable to work during most of 2019. As someone who has been a paragon of strength and self-sufficiency her entire life, this has been devastating for Steph, as well as for those of us who know how important her self-reliance is to her.
We understand that people care deeply about Steph and want to return her acts of kindness and love. So after lots of soul-searching and thoughtful conversations, which included convincing Steph that it's OK to accept this help, her family and friends are setting up a Go Fund Me campaign. We hope to raise enough money to tide Steph over until she can start working again.
Here is Steph's story in her own words.
Hi,
I want to start by saying thank you so much for taking the time and interest to read my story. My name is Stephanie, and I’m a 51-year-old self-employed hairstylist and make-up artist. Throughout the past 11 years, I’ve been diagnosed with varying degrees of severe health issues, from lymphedema to cancer. For most of that time, even during the worst pain and struggle, I’ve been able to continue working as I supported myself and my three sweet cats.
Then in March of this year after another health challenge, I lost much of my body's ability to easily move and breathe, and have not been able to work since. The process of recovery has been much slower than I ever anticipated, and six months later, I’ve exhausted all my ideas and resources on how to support myself. With the encouragement of friends and family, I realized it’s time to step outside of my comfort zone to finally share my story and ask for help.
My first real health challenge started in 2008, the year I turned 40, with a diagnosis of breast cancer. I chose a mostly unpopular path to recovery, but with the help of a trusted kinesiologist, I healed my body naturally with food, herbs, and alternative therapies. After three years of this type of treatment, I had the tumor and sentinel lymph node removed and was breast cancer-free.
In 2013 I started to develop lymphedema, a condition caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system, which can occur after the removal of one or more lymph nodes. Lymphedema has varying degrees of severity and makes it difficult for your body to clear things like infections, toxins, and chaotic cells. It also has no real treatment and no cure.
In my case, it started mildly enough; at first, I thought it was a rash showing up in the form of small hard bumps on my left breast. Then over a few years, the bumps or tumors slowly grew and spread across my chest, devouring my breasts and leaving painful open wounds and tissue. I was able to slow the growth of these tumors through a healthy lifestyle and alternative treatments but was unable to stop the spread completely. This particular type of lymphedema has been very painful and physically debilitating, but I’ve always found a way to rise above the pain, maintain a level of hope and continue to live my life in a way that may not look it, but feels very full.
By 2014, it became increasingly difficult to work as the lymphedema progressed, and not just because of the pain. Although my immune system was still working, the blockage within my lymphatic system caused painful fluid to build up in my chest and upper arms, making it difficult to stand and move my arms. It became harder for my body to clear infections, and I often found myself sick and unable to get out of bed. These bouts with illness would sometimes last for weeks at a time, making it necessary to cancel appointments and subsequently lose clients. The lymphedema became debilitating enough that I was forced to make major changes to my lifestyle, and by 2016, I had become mostly homebound. Fortunately, I was able to set up a make-shift salon in my basement, which allowed me to continue working at my own pace, even with my limitations.
In October of 2017, my health took a turn for the worse. During an emergency room visit for pneumonia, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the breasts, lungs, and bones. I was given a month to live with no option for a cure. In a state of shock, and without a real plan, I dug deep into my faith and continued the routine of healing myself with natural treatments while working just enough to make ends meet. Weeks turned to months, and months turned to a year, and instead of getting worse, miraculously, I started to feel better.
It looked like I was on my way to recovery, and then in March of this year, I caught another lung infection where without a late-night ambulance ride to the emergency room, I would have died. This time the lymphedema had gotten so out of control that it filled my entire body with thick heavy fluid making it almost impossible to move. I was told that the pericardium sac around my heart was also fluid-filled, disabling my heart's ability to function, and an immediate risky procedure was needed. The fluid was successfully removed from the pericardium, and after a week in the hospital and three weeks in transitional care, I was finally able to come home. But the fluid in my arms and chest was still massive, and more than my body could clear.
Even now, six months later, it’s challenging to do most things for myself. With the support of close friends, family, an oxygen tank, and for a while a walker, I’ve been able to regain a bit of independence within my home and continue to move forward on the healing process. However, for the first time in my life, I haven’t been able to work or even guess when I will have enough strength and mobility to get back on my feet. I do see progress and remain optimistic as I endeavor every day to accomplish simple tasks that most people would take for granted. But I still need the help of many people, and it’s become too much for family and friends alone to support me.
I feel optimistic and hopeful about my recovery but also feel the stress of needing to pay for my basic necessities without having an income. So I’m asking for help. Because I so badly want to get better once and for all, and I genuinely believe as the stress of daily finances is lifted, I will be able to fully devote my attention and energy to my certain recovery.
I am grateful beyond expression for the help that has already been given to me. And with the knowledge that healing can happen when you open your heart to help, I am humbled and thankful for any offerings that graciously come my way.
Thank you
Peace&Love
Stephanie
Organizzatore e beneficiario
Barb Brynstad
Organizzatore
Minneapolis, MN
Stephanie Brynstad
Beneficiario