Shannon O’brien

My name is Dixie Birmele Phelan and myself along with other friends and family are attempting to raise funds for a dear friend/mother/sister/daughter/grandmother who is battling metastatic breast cancer.

Shannon O’Brien is a 53-year old single mother of 5 children and 7 grandchildren. Shannon is a registered nurse who provides care for those who cannot care for themselves.

In November of 2018, Shannon was diagnosed with Invasive Carcinoma of the left breast with multiple lymph node involvement. In early 2019, Shannon underwent a partial left breast mastectomy with complete axillary lymph node dissection. With chemotherapy and radiation treatments to follow there were complications that would require future surgical intervention. Shannon underwent a successful bilateral radical mastectomy in 2021.

In October of 2022, Shannon began experiencing severe migraine headaches. In spite of reporting these headaches while attending her follow-up appointments, Shannon continued to have adverse symptoms without any advised intervention.

On Friday December 30th, 2022 Shannon suffered a seizure while at work. She was transferred to a nearby hospital where she was diagnosed with a tumor involving the frontal lobe of the brain. She was then transferred to Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, MI where the CT scan indicated a frontal lobe brain tumor with multiple skull lesion involvement and metastasis of the T9 spine, her gallbladder, and multiple tumors in her lungs.

On Monday January 2, 2023 Shannon underwent a successful removal of the brain tumor and affected skull.

Consequently, Shannon is experiencing severe financial hardship with multiple accumulating medical bills and more to come as she battles this disease in a fight for her life that began in 2018.

In early December of 2022, Shannon began a new position at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI in addition to her part-time as needed home health position. Unfortunately, Shannon does not have health insurance due to her limited time at her current full-time position. Her family and closest friends are asking for assistance to not only reduce the stress that accompanies the financial burden associated with her illness, but also to ensure that Shannon receives the best treatment possible as she continues to fight for her life. She has come so far. With your contributions, you can assist to allow Shannon to watch her children grow God willing, and continue to render care for those who cannot care for themselves when she recovers from this lengthy time period in her life. Shannon is a fighter and a very strong woman. Her family and friends are praying for the best possible outcome that can be achieved with your contributions to receive the best medical care and interventions possible.

Thank you on behalf of her friends and family for your donation.