Everyone who knows Shae Lenora Unsworth knows that she has lived her life for God and serving God’s people. There is nothing she would not do to help someone. She is a pillar of strength, and the epitome of a joyful giver.

Shae is a wonderful wife, an extraordinary mother to her four children, and the best grandma (Na’ne). She is also the best daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, niece, friend, ect,.

Some of you may not know-because Shae is so modest-that in addition to working with her husband full-time in their remodeling business, Shae is a Certified Life Coach, with concentration in grieving and loss. She is a facilitator for GriefShare with her church, and a Lay Counselor, helping people to maneuver through loss, grieving, and anticipatory grieving.

I write this only to demonstrate that Shae would not ask for help from us. She turns to the Lord, and she relies on Him. I know, however, that she NEEDS us, too. She is carrying a health burden right now, and I am doing this so we can help her carry her burden.

Shae has a long history of health problems, that have resulted in periods of chronic pain, as well as other significant physical symptoms. She has acclimated to the pain, and she pushes through during these periods. Most would not know of her struggle, because she works very hard as an overcomer to carry the burden.

A little over three years ago, she was diagnosed with bilateral ureter strictures (narrowing of the ureter) with hydonephosis (severe swelling of the kidney) to both kidneys. Within 6 months, she had surgery on each of her kidneys to insert stents to both ureters (May 2021, left kidney and October 2021, right kidney).

Last week, Shae was diagnosed with another ureter stricture and subsequent hydronephrosis.

This episode started similarly to her previous episodes three years ago. She started having frequent migraines with nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and significant back pain. She made an appointment with a PA from her Urologist’s office on 03/12/2025. The lab test showed blood in her urine. Because of her history with ureter strictures, they sent her for an immediate CT scan. The doctor’s office called on 03/13/2025 to inform Shae that there is a blockage in her right kidney, and she was referred immediately to her Urologist to be evaluated for surgery.

Shae was seen by her Urologist on 03/14/2025. He immediately scheduled her surgery for 03/20/2025. The Dr thought that doing the surgery sooner rather than later would be best due to her pain level, and the risk of her condition worsening. While the Urologist is concerned about the swelling, he is confident they caught it in time. He will insert a stent in the ureter of her right kidney, and assess the situation further once she is in surgery.

While there is significant swelling in her right kidney, the Urologist does not think there is noticeable damage to her right kidney, and her left kidney looks great (Praise God).

Her Urologist advised that since her two previous procedures, there is a new tool that will be used to inject medication into the ureter, which has been proven to help reduce scar tissue and, HOPEFULLY, reduce the risk of this occurring again to that ureter.

The Urologist has said that it is unusual for someone to have a re-occurrence of this situation, and that it is even more rare that someone would have this happen with both kidneys, like Shae has experienced.

Her surgery 03/20/2025 will be the first approach to treatment. The Urologist has said that Shae may have to be referred to Duke for more specific treatment, but he won’t be able to make that decision until her 6-week post-op visit.

The financial burden of this situation would be great for anyone, but Shae and her family are in a difficult situation with this. Shae does not currently have health insurance. She has been stable for a little over two years now, and it has been more affordable to pay out of pocket for Dr’s visits, than pay the extraordinary insurance premiums that it would cost as business owners.

The cost for her Urologist to perform the surgery is approximately $1,500. Her immediate out of pocket will be $757.00.

The hospital has provided an estimate of between $17K and $18K, not including the other clinicians that will be involved in her case. Shae is in the process of applying for assistance through FirstHealth to offset some of the medical costs associated with the surgery.

While Shae is certainly feeling a bit discouraged to be facing another procedure, she is so grateful for her medical team, and having a Dr who was willing to fit her into his busy schedule to take care of this ASAP. She is most gratefully that they caught it in time, and it wasn’t worse; however, there could be more challenging health issues ahead of her.

She is encourage about God’s present throughout this situation. She even had a piece of paper fall out of her purse with Romans 8:28 in bold print, while she was being told the doctor’s fee for the surgery. She said, “This is just an opportunity to see God’s Glory work all around me, and to use my mouth to praise what He has done, and will continue to do for me.”

I am starting this GoFundMe for a few reasons:

1) Shae needs our prayers more than anything. Please everyone who will, pray for good outcomes, pray for Shae to have the strength to endure the aftermath of this procedure (it is a very painful recovery from this surgery), and most especially, pray for the medical team, that they are successful with the procedure.

2) Shae’s family needs your prayers. The family is sooooo close, and they adore Shae. It will be hard watching her go through this.

3) Shae and her family need our financial assistance. Please give what you can. Every single dollar counts. If you are not in a position to donate, PRAY, and please share this link.

I thank you all in advance for your thoughts, prayers, donations, shares and encouragement.

With warm wishes,

Shae’s mom, Shae (SR)