*UPDATE DEC 1, 2023

The following is directly from my sister Missy’s Facebook profile:

Been packing my stuff up to go home today, that's not gonna happen, I developed a rash which could be a side effect, possibly graft vs Host disease, could be mild to severe. Got a biopsy and steroid cream. I was terribly upset this morning, I think I'm over that. I may be outta here on Monday.

Since the stem cell transplant took place on Nov 3, 2023 she has been doing well. No major side effects or set backs. Definitely had visitors and the boredom set in though. Covid had started to spread on another floor at the hospital so she was not allowed to leave her room due to the high risk factors.

She did have some fatigue set in around the 2nd-3rd week and that was because her body literally hit ground zero. At that point, all of her cells were gone and the donors cell were starting their work.

**she has to get all her childhood immunizations again!

***her blood type has officially changed!!!!

With this being said.. we don’t have any update other than that. They had the Family House booked since the end of Oct and they hadn’t extended their stay because they assumed they were heading home tomorrow. With the uncertainty they face now.. they may need to extend the stay. This last stay cost roughly $3,200 which did not include anything but lodging.

I have increased her need based on this unknown. What I do know..

She’s staying in the hospital longer.

She will be off work longer.

There is no income happening because she obviously isn’t working, neither is her husband because he is with her.

I just need help for her♥️

As always, I appreciate and thank all those who have helped with donations thus far. The kindness people have shown her is beyond what I could have ever hoped for but this journey clearly isn’t over.

Please consider sharing her story on your social media, by talking about it and making it go beyond just our area. It truly does make a difference.

Thank you all! I will keep you updated in the coming days as best as I can!

The one picture of her in the black tank top shows where she had a “punch biopsy” on her shoulder area. This was to biopsy the area in which she has the rash.

~Jennifer

*UPDATE NOV 3, 2023

Today my sister Missy received her stem cell transplant!!!! Its her re-birthday

She is still going to remain in the hospital until the beginning of December. Her husband Andy has been staying in the family house, our sister Mandy will be trading off with Andy here in a week or so. The stay is NOT free and insurance does NOT pay for any of it. It’s about $80.00 a day. That does not include any meals-drinks-laundry service. All of that is out of pocket. Obviously, my sister is not currently working and Andy is on disability due to his health concerns so income is a huge issue right now. They will be paying approximately $3,200 for this stay. If she has to stay longer, that will be additional.

BUT… the good news is…. Her AMAZING donor gave…. Yes GAVE 16 BILLION CELLS! All we know is:

HE is a 30 year old, lives in the USA. He is younger than her two sons, younger than her two sisters. This young man took a test, got on a donor list and GIFTED LIFE.. for a complete stranger❤️there are absolutely no words that could ever express my gratefulness. He can never be repaid for what he has given and for that I am forever thankful.

So, if you would like to do anything for my sister consider these few things— sign up to be a stem cell donor, continue to keep her in prayer as this is not over, but just beginning, share her journey (so maybe it reaches this young man and he can see the amazing gift he has given), donate to her gofundme (it all adds up!).

Lastly, enjoy these few photos!!!

HAPPY RE BIRTHDAY MISSY♥️

8 MILLION CELLS!!! The other 8 million are on reserve in case she needs more!

That’s all it takes to save a life

She is 100% our DAD

~Update Nov 2, 2023

Missy is still in the Pittsburgh hospital, receiving her 5 day straight chemotherapy regimen. She started off great, in positive spirts and she dressed up for Halloween! Day 4 of chemotherapy caught up with her. She was wiped out, had a fever and needed to get bloodwork done. This chemotherapy process is literally destroying everything in her body so she is taking a hit. Please continue to keep her in her prayers & please share her journey so we can get it out there. We are hoping it reaches her donor!!!!!

Stem cell transplant is still scheduled for November 4th!!!!

~UPDATE October 27, 2023

Today my sister was admitted to the hospital in Pittsburgh. Today start the next stage of her journey in fighting Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. She was a little loopy in the one picture because she had some meds before having her picc line placed.

Starting today she will have 5 straight days of aggressive chemotherapy, two different types. This chemotherapy is so strong and aggressive that it will literally wipe her entire immune out. It is so powerful that it IS going to destroy everything in her body. So much so, she is going to have to have every single one of her childhood immunizations done again. If that isn’t mind boggling, I don’t know what is!

She will then have to do the actual stem cell transplant the beginning of November. From this point on, is is required to stay in the hospital for a minimum of 6 weeks. Her team of specialists will be monitoring her very closely because this is actually a very risky procedure.

I wish I could say we know who the amazing donor is, but we have absolutely no idea. We don’t know if this person is a male or female. No idea where they live. It’s anonymous. I hope that whomever is reading this share my sisters journey and it reaches that person.

As Missy powers through this next phase, please share her story, say a prayer for her and donate if you feel you can. She had a long road ahead of her and your kindess-prayers have helped more than you can ever imagine. I thank you all for coming along this journey.

Stay tuned! I will definitely be updating you all as this continues.

Thank you again for all that you have done.

Sincerely-

The Little Sister

(that’s caring for a big sister♥️)

Jennifer

~UPDATE Oct 9, 2023

Hi everyone! Sorry it’s been a month since the last update BUT.. things are moving rather quickly for my sister Missy. She had her PET Scan and then soon after she received her results…

She is CLEAR from the cancer!!!!! Do a happy dance with me! She found out on our other sister Mandy.. birthday♥️ so needless to say we were all very thankful for some amazing news. Missy was scheduled for her next round of the aggressive 3 days of chemo the first week of October but her team decided to wait. Why?? Because… they have found a donor that is a 100% MATCH for a stem cell transplant!!!!!! We have no idea who this donor is or where he/she is coming from. What we do know is that fact this person is on the National Registry, is willing to do this task for someone they do not know. I cannot express my gratitude for this person. With that being said, Missy is schedule for an even more aggressive chemo treatment for 5 day at the end of October. During this time she will be in the hospital. This chemo is going to destroy everything in her so she can receive the stem cell transplant the first week of November. Following that procedure, she is required to stay in the hospital for 5-6 weeks. Her team will monitor her around the clock. This is a very risky time for her so we ask that you please continue to pray for her and we ask that you say a special prayer for her donor as well because this person is saving a life♥️

When this next step begins, I will continue to keep you all updated as best as I can. I do ask that you continue to share my sisters journey so we can spread the word (maybe her donor will see this!). She is still off of work obviously, doing what she can. The good news… she has gone from 115lbs to 125lbs!!! She is very happy with that, so are we.

Thank you all for your continued prayers, your donations. Without your kindness and generosity this journey would be that much harder. I am forever grateful. Cancer is hard but she is stronger! Now that she has no hair.. she has definitely morphed into our Dad. He is gone from our sight but he is with us always. You can tell they are both goofy♥️

Please continue to share her story!!! Until the next update- be kind to everyone because you never know the journey they have been given.

~Jennifer

** UPDATE Sept 9, 2023

First off let me thank everyone who has shared my sister Missy’s story, thank you to everyone who has donated-whether on this link-in person-via cash app. Your generosity & kindness does not go unnoticed, it is greatly appreciated and means more than you can imagine.

Missy will be heading back down to Pittsburgh on September 13th for her third treatment. She is doing well, has gone from 115lbs to 121lbs so we are extremely excited! Her doctor told her to “eat cake” if she wants to… and she has.

We still haven’t heard about possible donors yet. There are a couple donors on the National Registry that are almost a 100% match for her but we do not know if they have been contacted or if they have come forward. Both of her sons are a 55% match but the physicians prefer a donor that is closer to a perfect match. So, please keep praying for the matches to come forward when they are contacted and please continue to keep my sister Missy in your prayers.

Lastly, I ask that you please please please share this link so we can help get her story shared with as many people as possible.

Thank you all so very much!

~Jennifer

*Update Aug 25th

The third day of treatment completed. She had to get a blood transfusion today. She is very fatigued but she is heading home to rest up before her next treatment in September.

*UPDATE Aug 24, 2023

Today is my sister's second round of treatment. She had her first chemo yesterday and a lot of tests. Her doctor is pleased with all her bloodwork, lung test, echocardiogram and sonogram.

She is getting 2 chemo's today (one is running 24hrs). She was told she has a DVT blood clot in her arm from her previous treatment (Aug 4th) in her arm so she is getting the shot in her belly (blood thinner). I believe she will be getting oral medication for when she is at home. Her next treatment is scheduled for September 13th.

We also found out that myself and her two sons are all 50% matches! Unfortunately, I have been knocked out of the running to be a donor because of my own medical history. We also learned that they have found a couple matches that are actually 100% matches for her and the national databank!!!!! I will continue to keep you all updated.

Thank you all for your donations and for your continued prayers. Please continue share her link.

~Jennifer

*UPDATE Aug 4, 2023

Missy is currently in Pittsburgh hospital receiving her new chemotherapy treatment. She was unable to receive her chemo on day one due to having a fever. She was put on an antibiotic. She had blood cultures done and luckily they all came back negative!!!!!

She had her first treatment yesterday. It ran for two hours. Today, she is receiving three types of chemo. One of them runs for 24 hours. The other two are administered within that timeframe. Tomorrow she will receive one more treatment. She will then return home for two weeks and then start the process over again.

In the meantime, we are waiting to hear back if her son or myself, or a match to be a donor. As you can imagine she is going through a lot. I will continue to update you all

Thank you all for your support! Please continue to share Missy’s story!

*UPDATE July 31, 2023

Things have started to move quickly. Missy has shaved her head!! She is heading to Pittsburgh tomorrow, Tuesday, August 1, 2023 to begin her new chemo therapy. She will be staying there for a minimum of 3-4 days. Now, this new treatment is extremely aggressive so we will be keeping her covered in prayers.

Once she has been given the all clear to head back home she will. At that point, she will rest and recover.

She has been told by her medical team that she will now be off work for at least 6 MONTHS.

I will continue to keep everyone updated. I ask that you all continue to share this on all platforms so we can help her along this journey. Please keep her in your prayers.

Thank you all for your support. It is greatly appreciated!

~Jennifer

Hello, my name is Jennifer and I am trying to raise funds for my oldest sister Missy. In 2016, after months of feeling run down and having a sore throat, she went to her physician to see what was causing her to feel this way. The physician treated her with an antibiotic. She would feel better for a while but she became fatigued again, she complained that her glands were swollen in her throat. Missy went back to see the physician again and this time she was treated for strep throat. Again, she would become fatigued. Finally, a physician expressed concern when evaluating her throat and wanted her to get a biopsy on her tonsil. The results came back. It was cancer. To be specific, Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma- Anaplastic Large T Cell.

Over the next several months she had her one tonsil removed, endured losing her hair, having a port placed in her chest and started her chemotherapy treatments. Missy dealt with fatigue and the uncertainty of her future. All this taking place while our middle sister battles stage iv metastasis breast cancer and losing our father.

Throughout her journey, Missy continued going to work, she rarely called off. She joined her local wellness program and focused on her mental well being and her health. She regained her weight, her strength and her smile. It was the happiest I had seen her in a long time.

She had her PET Scans and she was determined cancer free!!! For the next 6 years she thrived.

In February of this year, she felt “different.” She had recently had her PET Scans and she was clear of disease. However, she “knew” something was wrong. The side of her neck became swollen. She went to her oncologist and he confirmed “it was back.” She had to have another biopsy to confirm exactly what type of cancer it was. It turned out to be the exact same cancer from 6 years ago. Missy had said to me, “this time is different. I don’t feel good.” Since then, she has met with her oncologist, had another port placed and has started chemotherapy again.

This time is different. Her team will be doing planning for a stem cell transplant in the very near future. Missy will have to go to Pittsburgh to undergo aggressive chemotherapy prior to undergoing the actual stem cell transplant. She will have to stay in Pittsburgh for the minimum of 30 days. During this time, her team will be monitoring her progress very closely.

The stay is not covered by insurance. She is looking at a cost of $2500 minimum. This will not include her transportation to and from her doctor appointments, it does not cover any food she will need while staying there. Nothing in addition to her recovery is paid for by insurance. She will not be able to work which means she will have no funds coming in to help her.

Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to help her get through this. I will, without a doubt be at her side the entire way but I can only do so much so I am asking for help. All donations will go directly to my sisters needs. I appreciate any support people can offer. Prayers are always welcomed as well.

Thank you in advance, I will keep this updated to the best of my abilities.

Jennifer

UPDATE:

On July 25, 2023, Missy will be traveling from her home in Ohio to West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. She will be meeting with the physician, transplant coordinator, financial

coordinator and a psychologist to discuss the Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Transplant

(HPC-T). This appointment is expected to 3 hours. Your prayers are greatly appreciated and needed.

I want to thank you all for your donations, your kindness. It is greatly appreciated. I will continue to update you all as we continue on this journey.

~Jennifer

*UPDATE July 26, 2023

as many of you know, Missy went to Pittsburgh yesterday to meet with her team. This is what we know. The chemotherapy she has been receiving is not working. The new plan of action is as followed.

August 1, 2023 she will be going to Pittsburgh. She will have two visits which will require a three day stay each time. She will then return home to Ohio to rest. She will then have a PET scan to see how she is responding. She cannot have the stem cell transplant until the cancer is gone. In the meantime, myself, and her two sons will be getting tested to see if we can be her donors.

Her physician informed her that she will now have to be off of work for a minimum of six months. This changes everything for her. Income stops. If we can manage to raise $8,000 for her in less than a week I know we can easily hit her goal. I think each and every one of you for your kindness and your generosity that you have shown my sister I truly appreciate it. I asked that you please continue to share her information as soon as I have the next update I will share it with you all. Thank you again I love you all.

~Jennifer