Rally Around Abby in Her Fight Against Breast Cancer
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If you have had the privilege of knowing Abby, you know that Abby has dedicated her life to helping others. As a devoted special education teacher, Abby has spent her career creating safe and inclusive spaces for her students, always going above and beyond to make them feel seen and valued. She is the person so many of us turn to for strength and guidance, a shoulder to lean on, a friend to count on.
Abby pours her heart into everything she does, whether it’s supporting her students, cheering on the Badgers, being there for her family and friends, finding adventures with her husband, Shane, or loving on her dogs, Keegan and Hazel. Abby is incredibly blessed to have her loving and supportive husband, Shane, by her side.
At the end of November, Abby’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Invasive Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma Grade 3 Cancer. Shane and Abby planned to start their family together in the coming months. Unfortunately, Abby’s diagnosis prevents them from beginning their family as they dreamed of doing. Both Abby and Shane are shattered by the news and how it might affect their ability to have kids.
The Plan:
Abby will begin with 18 rounds of Chemo this January. After her first 6 chemo appointments, she will have surgery. Surgery is anticipated to happen in May 2025. Details on the surgery will largely depend on how her body responds to these first 6 chemo appointments. In January 2026, she will begin taking a hormone-blocking pill for the next 10 years that makes it not possible to become pregnant. There is a possibility that Abby will be able to take a break from this pill about 18-24 months after starting it, in order to get pregnant. However, the chemo will affect her ovaries and her ability to have kids naturally. Because of this, Abby and Shane will be going through the IVF process rapidly before she starts chemo. They hope to be able to get several embryos that will remain frozen until the time that Abby can hopefully attempt to get pregnant.
Now, Abby (and Shane) need our support.
The road ahead will bring significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. We are raising funds to help with:
- First and most importantly, fertility options and IVF treatments. The aggressive nature of her treatment will require her to freeze her eggs, a physically and emotionally taxing process that is also incredibly expensive. Abby and Shane have always dreamed of starting a family, and we want to ensure this dream remains within reach.
- Fertility options including IVF treatments, IVF medications, and yearly storage fees to freeze the embryos until they are ready to use them. This money may also go towards potential surrogacy or adoption if Abby is not able to become pregnant with their frozen embryos.
- Anticipated time off work during Abby’s recovery, including medical-related expenses
Abby has spent her life making the world a better place. Now it’s our chance to show her the same care and support she has always given so selflessly.
Thank you for your kindness, prayers, and support.
Co-organisers (2)
Erika Mogilevsky
Organiser
Madison, WI
Abby Opsal
Beneficiary
Susan Murray
Co-organiser