Help Stephanie Velardi Kick Cancer in the Butt!

My daughter Stephanie was brought to the emergency department due to hemorrhaging and was diagnosed with a rare cervical cancer called “Glassy Cell Carcinoma” on October 1, 2019.  This type of cervical cancer is rare, aggressive and not found during PAP testing; little is known about earlier stages as the prognosis is poor when it is usually diagnosed.  This day began the toughest journey of her life as the doctor struggled to stop the bleeding; with the worst case scenario-radical hysterectomy if he couldn't.  She's 32, in great shape and this is a young woman's worst nightmare! Stephanie was so brave and incredibly positive when facing the many unknowns facing her as she talked to those providing interventions and care;  putting residents, doctors and nurses at ease as they spoke with her about what was happening and projected to happen in the immediate future.  Her hemoglobin dropped down to 6.8 which is a little more than half of the blood in the human body leaving her weak and short of breath!   In the 24 hours she was initially in the hospital, she'd had multiple tests, surgery, a blood transfusion and more physician interactions than most people have in years!  She also had a diagnosis that was sobering, a tumor that was 6 centimeters in size on the backside of her cervix and growing plans for tests and appointments.  Overall, it was daunting! The first week she had a PET scan of her entire body, which can show if a tumor has spread to other areas of the body, fortunately  it hadn't.  She also had iron infusions scheduled to rebuild the blood she'd lost in the emergency room-oncology patients don't automatically get more blood transfusions due to the possibility of creating antibodies and she'd need a boosted hemoglobin of at least a 10 to get radiation treatments and have them be effective.   Because her  blood count was so low and iron infusions would take time, it was suggested that maybe she could save her eggs with fertility treatments.  We weren't even sure it was a possibility  there'd be time as the surgeon was concerned due to the aggressive nature of the cancer.  Radiation and chemotherapy would definitely make it impossible for future children, so we met with IRMS at Saint Barnabas Medical Center who offered the opportunity through a special program for cancer patients like Stephanie who was a good candidate due to her overall general health and age.  .  While she received iron infusions, she did fertility treatments involving self-administered injections several times daily which resulted in the freezing of 16 eggs!  It really was a miracle that the amount retrieved and frozen was exactly what is suggested as needed for a viable pregnancy! Not long after the intervention for egg retrieval, the radiation oncologist met with us to outline the type of radiation she would have and for how long noting it would be external and internal and with Cisplatin chemotherapy once per week.   As we discussed side effects Stephanie smiled and said it would be okay; she just wanted to get started, once again making sure all around her was comfortable through her acceptance.   We then met with the medical oncologist who described additional side effects from the Cisplatin and future plans for systemic chemotherapy to come, once again, Stephanie smiled and said it would be okay.  “She’d work through it.”   A great attitude has been touted as a must do by all the doctors, and throughout everything she has displayed a willingness to do whatever it takes to get well!   Despite positivity and a can do attitude, the  one area that was of concern had to do with her veins.  Every lab and IV insertion resulted in collapsed veins, bruising and swelling.  The medical oncologist asked us to try the infusion center before even considering a port a cath central line access inserted because the nurses place IV access all the time.  The nurse, who had her for her first chemotherapy infusion was able to place an IV but said, “Never again, she needs a port”.  This site resulted in another full forearm bruise to join the many others she’d suffered since October 1, 2019.  Chemotherapy was on Wednesday and the port was placed by surgery on Friday.  She still hates the needles, but at least this part has gotten a little easier. .   As of this week, Stephanie has had 5 of the 6 chemotherapy infusions for this round of treatment, has two more weeks of internal (brachytherapy) and external radiation yet to go.  Radiation is every day Monday thru Friday and though not long, results in extreme nausea due to the amount of fluid required to protect her organs.   Gynecological Surgery is next and we don't know what organs or tissue will be removed or left in place.   Finally, systemic chemotherapy will be used after she has fully healed from surgery.   At this point, Taxol and Carboplatin has been mentioned which will have other side effects and will cause her to lose her hair.   With physician appointments, labs, treatments and infusions, imaging, time out of work, insurance co-pays/co-insurance, perhaps a wig and life, the costs are staggering even with insurance coverage.  In some treatments, you can't be seen without paying up front insurers routinely deny claims causing you to have to fight daily and stay on top of billing, and this rare, cancer unlike well-known cancers has no organizations to help.  Stephanie has insurance, works and is doing her best; but we are already surpassing the 10k range out of pocket and 2020 is fast approaching when the deductible starts all over again.  Even though the egg retrieval was subsidized through a cancer program it was still a lot out of pocket to ensure the possibility of a child.   This all began October 1, 2019 and the bills have started to roll in with a vengeance...the stress is palpable and worrying will undoubtedly impede her recovery.   To know Stephanie is to love her.  She is a light in our life, and her sunny disposition, infectious smile and laugh makes her a favorite with the patients she assists in her coordinator role at Kessler Institute.  Everyone who knows her loves her easygoing, fun and laidback personality.   Stephanie has been in Girl Scouts, Adventure Scouts, bands and orchestras, every sport imaginable from the time she was a child, a USF BULL, Track and Field D1 athlete, basketball referee,  daughter, sister, friend, aunt, cousin, niece, and an overall wonderful human being.  She is loved by all who know her, and loves heartily in return.  As we spend time together she thinks about what she can do to help others in this situation that may not have such wonderful medical care; the fact that she considers this despite the side effects she suffers daily, pain and discomfort of treatment and continuing journey with more of the same in the near future is amazing.  As a parent, I am humbled by her attitude and strength and I look forward to her being well again to help others through this journey.   Please help as you can, share and pray; every little bit makes a difference!    Thank you and God Bless! , Mary  P.S.  I will be updating you all as the journey continues and hope to be able to post good news and she moves through this very life altering journey. #cancer, #cancersucks, #helpstephievbecancerfree