https://www.facebook.com/groups/401275540525023/?ref=group_header 

I’m starting a Go Fund Me for my friend and her family to help them pay medical bills that have been piling up due to her Stage 4 Appendix cancer diagnosis.

Here is Barbara’s story:

My life radically changed on 8/1/19. The rollercoaster began when a 10” in diameter tumor was discovered on my right ovary. I was referred to a Gynecology-Oncology surgeon, Dr. V, just in case. All tests and bloodwork were neg for “female” cancer and I never had any symptoms or irregularities in my cycle. On August 22, 2019, my fight began. I had a scheduled hysterectomy and tumor removal and the surgeon expected that it would be benign. However, he was shocked when he opened me up... everything was cancerous. Due to the fact that my right ovary became the tumor, the surgeon expected ovarian cancer, but pathology determined it as another source. Another oncology surgeon had been called in to assist with a GI organ debulking (where they pull out your organs and scrape and remove as many tumors as possible). After pathology, they discovered my appendix (also cancerous and removed) was the source. Specifically,  Goblet Cell Adenocarcinoma with Signet Ring Cell features. Appendix Cancer stage 4. Appendix cancer is a rare 1 in a million cancer... the type I have been diagnosed with is the rarest form of that cancer and the most aggressive tumor-producing kind. After examining the pathology slides and seeing my CT Scan, the GI specialist at UPMC, said that I have hundreds of tumors in between, around, and on my organs that are a cm or smaller. My treatments are to give me the highest dose of FOLFOX with Avastin that my body can take due to the aggressive nature of this cancer. After healing from the surgery and incision that starts 3” above the navel downwards, I started chemo on Oct 7th. Chemo has not been kind. The road has been rough, with many side effects, such as neuropathy and nausea/vomiting and hair loss. I’ve had to go back to the hospital for extra IV nausea meds and IV fluids, since I get dehydrated from vomiting so much. I can’t touch, drink, eat, any cold or I get the feeling of glass shards down my throat or painful tingling in my fingers. Everything has to be room temperature or warm. I am also taking 20+ vitamins and meds daily and can’t return to work yet with all of these side effects. It’s a new way of living for sure. Even so, I will fight. Our son is getting married in October 2020 and our daughter is in college. There is no way I am missing those milestones and growing old with my wonderful husband. With the prayers of my family and so many people, I am determined to fight with all of my strength. The battle belongs to the Lord and I will stand. The Big C in my life is Christ, not cancer. Through God, this cancer WILL be defeated and I will never take a good day for granted again. God is still good and He is on the throne. “
*update: As of 12/1/2019, I no longer am employed, nor have insurance for my family through my work through December. I will be on long-term disability until I am able to work again. 
All of this is in God’s hands.