My sister Shannon Hansen will be 20 years old this month. She began feeling ill about a year ago. She started feeling sore, short of breath, tired and weak – simple things like walking around the block or giving her daughter Kinsley a bath became more and more difficult to do. Over the course of that year Shannon visited the ER more times than we can count. She saw countless doctors trying to figure out what was wrong.
In November 2018, Shannon was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease – systemic scleroderma. Her immune system is attacking her own body’s tissues and organs. Luckily, a team of doctors at Shand’s Hospital in Gainesville has taken on her case. There is no cure for her disease but with proper treatment her life can be prolonged.
Shannon is in a constant state of fatigue and pain. Her symptoms are getting worse and new antibodies are being found during nearly every doctor’s visit. She has positive antibodies for dermatomyositis which causes her to have shortness of breath (due to weak lung muscles) and constant muscle pain and weakness. She has also been diagnosed with gatroparesis and dysphagia, causing a 24 pound weight loss (since late November), reflux, nausea, and facial swelling. She has difficulty swallowing and digesting food. The gastroenterologist has told us that any more weight loss will result in a feeding tube into the small intestine.
The next step in Shannon’s treatment is a chemo-like drug and then weekly injections. There are still a lot of unknowns but we do know that Shannon’s autoimmune conditions are in full attack and causing irreparable damage. Due to her illness, Shannon cannot drive. She has appointments in Gainesville every week along with physical therapy three times a week. Her daughter Kinsley also has heath problems which require therapy. Our mother Rosemary has not been able to work because she has been focused on caring for Shannon, getting her to her appointments and helping with the baby.
My family has made it this far by spending everything they have and going into debt. I know they would never ask for charity but I am asking for help. Please donate to help my sister and my family to move to Gainesville to be closer to the treatment and care Shannon needs. The goal amount is based on moving expenses and a year’s worth of living expenses so the only thing they need to worry about is helping Shannon.
Any donated amount would help Shannon and our family focus on getting whatever medical treatment necessary to improve her quality of life. If you are unable to donate, we would very much appreciate any prayers or warm thoughts for Shannon and if possible, sharing this link with your friends and family.
In November 2018, Shannon was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease – systemic scleroderma. Her immune system is attacking her own body’s tissues and organs. Luckily, a team of doctors at Shand’s Hospital in Gainesville has taken on her case. There is no cure for her disease but with proper treatment her life can be prolonged.
Shannon is in a constant state of fatigue and pain. Her symptoms are getting worse and new antibodies are being found during nearly every doctor’s visit. She has positive antibodies for dermatomyositis which causes her to have shortness of breath (due to weak lung muscles) and constant muscle pain and weakness. She has also been diagnosed with gatroparesis and dysphagia, causing a 24 pound weight loss (since late November), reflux, nausea, and facial swelling. She has difficulty swallowing and digesting food. The gastroenterologist has told us that any more weight loss will result in a feeding tube into the small intestine.
The next step in Shannon’s treatment is a chemo-like drug and then weekly injections. There are still a lot of unknowns but we do know that Shannon’s autoimmune conditions are in full attack and causing irreparable damage. Due to her illness, Shannon cannot drive. She has appointments in Gainesville every week along with physical therapy three times a week. Her daughter Kinsley also has heath problems which require therapy. Our mother Rosemary has not been able to work because she has been focused on caring for Shannon, getting her to her appointments and helping with the baby.
My family has made it this far by spending everything they have and going into debt. I know they would never ask for charity but I am asking for help. Please donate to help my sister and my family to move to Gainesville to be closer to the treatment and care Shannon needs. The goal amount is based on moving expenses and a year’s worth of living expenses so the only thing they need to worry about is helping Shannon.
Any donated amount would help Shannon and our family focus on getting whatever medical treatment necessary to improve her quality of life. If you are unable to donate, we would very much appreciate any prayers or warm thoughts for Shannon and if possible, sharing this link with your friends and family.