Hello all. My name is Sheila, and I’ve created this campaign for myself due to my recent medical diagnosis and the aftermath it has caused.
In August 2023, after experiencing abdominal pain and pressure across my chest, I had an ultrasound and the results were listed as “WORRISOME METASTATIC DISEASE”. A liver biopsy was scheduled and performed on August 28, 2023, and the results a revealed that I had Stage 4 colon cancer that had metastasized to my liver and lungs, meaning that my cancer in my blood as well. Sadly this means that I will never be cancer free.
My blood work showed my cancer markers -- CEA and CA 19-9 -- at 4496 and 10k+ respectively. I was 46 years old at the time of my diagnosis.
I started chemotherapy treatments in mid September 2023. In order to receive my chemotherapy, a patient needs to have either of these installed: a PICC line (a tube that's surgically inserted in a vein in the arm that goes all the way to one of the top chambers of the heart), or a port (a small triangle shaped device roughly the size of a quarter) surgically placed in the my chest. I've had both at different times since being diagnosed, and currently have a port in the right side of my chest.
The side effects from the chemotherapy have ranged from painful numbing reactions to anything cold, including the feeling of jaw pain and the sensation of my throat constricting which affected my nerves and muscles, and it has triggered severe neuropathy where my fingertips and soles of my feet are extremely numb, making walking and my balance very difficult. I now have to use either a cane, walker, or wheelchair to be able to get around. The side effects also include abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, and extreme weakness. It's a similar feeling to having atrophy -- I have hardly any energy or strength in my lower extremities.
In April 2024, I had to have emergency surgery when a section of my large intestines suddenly ruptured due to diverticulitis, and put me in the beginning stages of sepsis. I spent a week in the hospital, and I now have a colostomy bag as a result. Due to the severity of my cancer, it is highly unlikely that my intestines will be able to be reconnected.
These medical issues have greatly increased the amount of days I’m at the hospital weekly and has made securing any employment impossible since I'm unable to adhere to a set schedule. I applied for Social Security disability benefits in September 2023, which took five months to be approved, and I receive less than half of what I made when I was able to work. Not having an income during those 5 months has put me in debt with my creditors to the tune of $15,000 with no ability to catch up.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2026: My treatments were going well until April 2025. By this time, I've had 40 chemo infusion treatments by this time, but it was found that my cancer had mutated to where the infusions were no longer effective. Since then, I've been given two separate oral chemo medications to try, hoping these will be effective. The first was not, and as of today (2/25/26) the second has also proved to be ineffective as well. The tumors in my liver and lungs have grown and spread exponentially, and the medication I need for the type of cancer I have is not available at my medical facility. My oncologist is doing what she can to find me an effective medication. These oral medications, along with the increased tumors in my lungs, have triggered a consistent cough due to increased pressure and phlegm in my lungs, and is also making it difficult to breathe. I get dizzying headaches and cannot walk short distances without having to stop to try and catch my breath.
I'm very fearful that I may not make it to my 50th birthday in November 2026.
Thank you for taking the time to read my campaign. Any donation is greatly appreciated.
#AlwaysKeepFighting
#fuckcancer
#nevergiveupneversurrender
Organiser
