I'm starting this fund for my wife and mother of my 2 kids, Lorissa Stefanelli who was found to have Papillary Thyroid Cancer in both the Thyroid and spread throughout her Lymph Nodes on both sides of the neck.
Lorissa is the world to our family.
Lorissa and I knew we always wanted to start and have a family. There is something about the bonds of a family that always intrigued us that so many issues or situations good or bad could occur, and yet they always held. Lorissa especially wanted to be a mother; to provide a nurturing experience that was missing from her life when she was raised. She has achieved this and her love for her family is unbounded. Always the one behind the scenes selflessly keeping things together. Without her around I think both the kids and I would be lost.
Lorissa has always been driven. She is one of those people that has and aura that it can’t be ignored. I'm not just saying this because she is my wife, but because of how many people’s lives she has positively affected. A true Virgo to the core, she strives for perfection, is the definition of committed, and is unintentionally intimidating at sometimes. Her smile and creative talent can only be described as an out-bursting expression for everything she has to offer. As her countless clients and family members can attest, she is truly a talent to behold. She is special, and I love her more than words could ever describe.
As some of you may already know Lorissa has been through the wringer as of recent. She has had to watch as her daughter, Natali, battled kidney cancer at the age of 5. Not but a couple days after returning from the hospital form that we received a call that her father had died of a sudden heart attack. She then had an accident which caused herniated disks in her lower back and has been dealing with chronic pain since 2016. This past Thanksgiving we got news that her Mother had developed a rare type of Cancer and passed away the day after Christmas. Lorissa then contracted Spinal Meningitis and was hospitalized in February. NOW, as the so-called "cherry on top" is being diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer this past month.
We are seriously at a loss for words. This is also coming on top of us looking to relocate across the country by the end of this month. We don’t understand why this is happening. We can try and point the finger to environmental factors in our area, or just general bad juju, but that doesn’t help regardless and we can only hope that she comes out of this for the better. As one of our friends told us recently: “Only the ones that can handle it are the ones that are tested.”
Through all this Lorissa has remained positive. She has trudged forward with work and her duties as a mother. But there is no denying that she is stressed and scared of what the potential outcome could be. Still she refuses to give up. She told me the other day “I will not miss my kid's major life events, and want to be there for them as they grow up. That’s the whole reason I became a mother.”
The Endocrinologist has told us that although it is a “preferred” diagnosis as to the type of cancer; Lorissa’s is an exceptional case since it has gone undetected for years and spread extensively through her Lymph Nodes. He told us she would have to have them surgically removed and could only recommend 3 different Dr’s who could handle the complexity of the upcoming operation. We opted to go with a specialist based in Tampa, FL, but with that comes an additional cost outside of our medical insurance and travel.
I am completely humbled by the amount of support we have received so far from family and friends both in the past with Natali’s ordeal and currently with Lorissa’s. It’s amazing how one can impact so many people who are willing to help her in any way. I know I had to put my pride aside before and came to the masses to ask for help with Natali, and outside of that, as you all may know have never been one to ask or accept a hand-out, but this is for Lorissa, not for me, and any help covering the additional cost on top of our insurance and travel of $6,000 will be appreciated more than I'll ever be able to express.
Thank you for taking the time in reading yet another chapter in our family’s story. Hopefully it will be the last major issue we are faced with.
Again, thank you all so much!
Love, The Stefanelli’s
Lorissa is the world to our family.
Lorissa and I knew we always wanted to start and have a family. There is something about the bonds of a family that always intrigued us that so many issues or situations good or bad could occur, and yet they always held. Lorissa especially wanted to be a mother; to provide a nurturing experience that was missing from her life when she was raised. She has achieved this and her love for her family is unbounded. Always the one behind the scenes selflessly keeping things together. Without her around I think both the kids and I would be lost.
Lorissa has always been driven. She is one of those people that has and aura that it can’t be ignored. I'm not just saying this because she is my wife, but because of how many people’s lives she has positively affected. A true Virgo to the core, she strives for perfection, is the definition of committed, and is unintentionally intimidating at sometimes. Her smile and creative talent can only be described as an out-bursting expression for everything she has to offer. As her countless clients and family members can attest, she is truly a talent to behold. She is special, and I love her more than words could ever describe.
As some of you may already know Lorissa has been through the wringer as of recent. She has had to watch as her daughter, Natali, battled kidney cancer at the age of 5. Not but a couple days after returning from the hospital form that we received a call that her father had died of a sudden heart attack. She then had an accident which caused herniated disks in her lower back and has been dealing with chronic pain since 2016. This past Thanksgiving we got news that her Mother had developed a rare type of Cancer and passed away the day after Christmas. Lorissa then contracted Spinal Meningitis and was hospitalized in February. NOW, as the so-called "cherry on top" is being diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer this past month.
We are seriously at a loss for words. This is also coming on top of us looking to relocate across the country by the end of this month. We don’t understand why this is happening. We can try and point the finger to environmental factors in our area, or just general bad juju, but that doesn’t help regardless and we can only hope that she comes out of this for the better. As one of our friends told us recently: “Only the ones that can handle it are the ones that are tested.”
Through all this Lorissa has remained positive. She has trudged forward with work and her duties as a mother. But there is no denying that she is stressed and scared of what the potential outcome could be. Still she refuses to give up. She told me the other day “I will not miss my kid's major life events, and want to be there for them as they grow up. That’s the whole reason I became a mother.”
The Endocrinologist has told us that although it is a “preferred” diagnosis as to the type of cancer; Lorissa’s is an exceptional case since it has gone undetected for years and spread extensively through her Lymph Nodes. He told us she would have to have them surgically removed and could only recommend 3 different Dr’s who could handle the complexity of the upcoming operation. We opted to go with a specialist based in Tampa, FL, but with that comes an additional cost outside of our medical insurance and travel.
I am completely humbled by the amount of support we have received so far from family and friends both in the past with Natali’s ordeal and currently with Lorissa’s. It’s amazing how one can impact so many people who are willing to help her in any way. I know I had to put my pride aside before and came to the masses to ask for help with Natali, and outside of that, as you all may know have never been one to ask or accept a hand-out, but this is for Lorissa, not for me, and any help covering the additional cost on top of our insurance and travel of $6,000 will be appreciated more than I'll ever be able to express.
Thank you for taking the time in reading yet another chapter in our family’s story. Hopefully it will be the last major issue we are faced with.
Again, thank you all so much!
Love, The Stefanelli’s