Shayna's Brain Cancer Fund
Donation protected
At a Glance
On June 24th Shayna had an MRI. Over recent months she had been experiencing increasing blurred vision, pressure headaches, extreme fatigue and in the few days previous, disoriented speech. The radiologist cited a large mass in her brain just behind her left eye and within hours she was admitted to the ICU at the University of Washington Medical Center. The tumor was pushing against her optic nerve, spinal tissue and had developed into such a great mass that it forced her brain to shift out of place. She’d lost vision in her right periphery. Shayna underwent major brain surgery just a day and a half later. The surgeons successfully removed half of the tumor, but the other half is embedded within critical brain tissue and resection endangers high risk of paralysis, loss of speech and function, rendering the remaining mass inoperable.
The pathologist has declared the tumor malignant Glioma Grade 4, characterized as Glioblastoma Stage 4. This is the most invasive-aggressive, dangerous brain tumor of which little is known. What they do know is that while most tumors expand like snowballs this one alone travels at high speed with finger-like movement invading white tissue of the brain. It’s the most rapid growing brain tumor with the shortest life-expectancy, the median prognosis being just 14 months and in Shayna’s case, an expected 15 months. She is 35.
Next Steps
This type of cancer is incurable and will shorten Shayna’s life regardless of treatment. It will reoccur, and that possibility is imminent even following successful treatment. But without any treatment, life expectancy is just 3 months. With hope, we have read about cases where people live 17-26 years with this diagnosis. We, the family and Chris, Shayna’s boyfriend, are investigating every possible course of treatment in search of best case scenario. The doctors recommend a 6 week, Monday through Friday treatment of radiation in conjunction with chemotherapy which will begin 1-2 weeks out of surgery. Radiation is extremely invasive, likely to reactivate swelling in the brain much like that which she experienced the days immediately following her brain surgery, which rendered her unable to speak, staggering her mobility and cognition and limiting function on her right side. Her headaches persist, at times incapacitating her.
Shayna
Shayna is a fourth-grade teacher. She loves hiking and animals, at one point the mother of two dogs, two cats, turtles, parrots, and a tank full of fish, while fostering dogs with extreme disabilities. Everyone who knows Shayna is struck by her willful, passionate spirit always sharp-tooth ready to debate politics, love and life. She has an unfiltered light inside, shining now especially bright in this dark time of unknown. She is a solace firelight giggling at old time stories with her boyfriend and family surrounding her. In the days following her surgery, when Shayna was physically and cognitively incapacitated and we were praying for signs of mobility, Chris was holding her hand, leaned in and said I love you. She lifted her head, pulled him closer and perched for a kiss. Chris said “I melted. Best kiss ever.” Shayna’s heart is fierce and just being near her gives us great hope.
Chris and Shayna
Hope
Shayna has a tremendous amount going for her to live long through this. She is young, whereas most with this diagnosis are not. She is otherwise healthy. While it took her longer than expected to recover from brain surgery, to wake up, she did suddenly and in tremendous leaps. Four days out she was asserting complete sentences and on day six she walked a mile (18 laps) through the hospital corridors free of her IV. Surgeons, nurses, physical, occupational, speech therapists and of course family were astounded. But that is Shayna, all determination and spitfire.
Need of Funds
Medical Expenses (Shayna has insurance but the funds will only cover limited treatment. In one week her hospital bills nearly accumulated $200,000. We will seek any treatment we can to heal her, for as long as possible.)
Co-Pays
Transportation (Shayna has suffered vision loss in her right periphery which may not be regained. At this point her cognition is not recovered to sustain fast control necessary for driving)
Possibly not being able to return to work
Family member travel for logistical and emotional support
The ongoing costs of Physical Therapy /Occupational Therapy / Speech Therapy
Further medications
Future surgeries (hopefully not)
Bills, student loans, etc. - Given she probably won’t return to work soon
Fixing her car– Shayna got into a minor fender bender the day we took her to the emergency room.
What You Can Do
Your support is insurmountable now. Of course Shayna and her family have been blindsided by this diagnosis. Any donation, even $5 or $10, can help us raise the money we need to do everything we can to help Shayna get through.
Please send this call to 5 people in your network who may be able to give.
Send blessings, love and prayers. Shayna, Chris and her family feel your support, we convey and channel your strength to Shayna. Your love and light are pivotal now.
With Love and in Gratitude,
Shayna, Chris and Family.
Shayna, Mom, sister and Dad and day, 6 days after surgery, her first trip outside!
Sisters, Chelsea and Shayna
On June 24th Shayna had an MRI. Over recent months she had been experiencing increasing blurred vision, pressure headaches, extreme fatigue and in the few days previous, disoriented speech. The radiologist cited a large mass in her brain just behind her left eye and within hours she was admitted to the ICU at the University of Washington Medical Center. The tumor was pushing against her optic nerve, spinal tissue and had developed into such a great mass that it forced her brain to shift out of place. She’d lost vision in her right periphery. Shayna underwent major brain surgery just a day and a half later. The surgeons successfully removed half of the tumor, but the other half is embedded within critical brain tissue and resection endangers high risk of paralysis, loss of speech and function, rendering the remaining mass inoperable.
The pathologist has declared the tumor malignant Glioma Grade 4, characterized as Glioblastoma Stage 4. This is the most invasive-aggressive, dangerous brain tumor of which little is known. What they do know is that while most tumors expand like snowballs this one alone travels at high speed with finger-like movement invading white tissue of the brain. It’s the most rapid growing brain tumor with the shortest life-expectancy, the median prognosis being just 14 months and in Shayna’s case, an expected 15 months. She is 35.
Next Steps
This type of cancer is incurable and will shorten Shayna’s life regardless of treatment. It will reoccur, and that possibility is imminent even following successful treatment. But without any treatment, life expectancy is just 3 months. With hope, we have read about cases where people live 17-26 years with this diagnosis. We, the family and Chris, Shayna’s boyfriend, are investigating every possible course of treatment in search of best case scenario. The doctors recommend a 6 week, Monday through Friday treatment of radiation in conjunction with chemotherapy which will begin 1-2 weeks out of surgery. Radiation is extremely invasive, likely to reactivate swelling in the brain much like that which she experienced the days immediately following her brain surgery, which rendered her unable to speak, staggering her mobility and cognition and limiting function on her right side. Her headaches persist, at times incapacitating her.
Shayna
Shayna is a fourth-grade teacher. She loves hiking and animals, at one point the mother of two dogs, two cats, turtles, parrots, and a tank full of fish, while fostering dogs with extreme disabilities. Everyone who knows Shayna is struck by her willful, passionate spirit always sharp-tooth ready to debate politics, love and life. She has an unfiltered light inside, shining now especially bright in this dark time of unknown. She is a solace firelight giggling at old time stories with her boyfriend and family surrounding her. In the days following her surgery, when Shayna was physically and cognitively incapacitated and we were praying for signs of mobility, Chris was holding her hand, leaned in and said I love you. She lifted her head, pulled him closer and perched for a kiss. Chris said “I melted. Best kiss ever.” Shayna’s heart is fierce and just being near her gives us great hope.
Chris and ShaynaHope
Shayna has a tremendous amount going for her to live long through this. She is young, whereas most with this diagnosis are not. She is otherwise healthy. While it took her longer than expected to recover from brain surgery, to wake up, she did suddenly and in tremendous leaps. Four days out she was asserting complete sentences and on day six she walked a mile (18 laps) through the hospital corridors free of her IV. Surgeons, nurses, physical, occupational, speech therapists and of course family were astounded. But that is Shayna, all determination and spitfire.
Need of Funds
Medical Expenses (Shayna has insurance but the funds will only cover limited treatment. In one week her hospital bills nearly accumulated $200,000. We will seek any treatment we can to heal her, for as long as possible.)
Co-Pays
Transportation (Shayna has suffered vision loss in her right periphery which may not be regained. At this point her cognition is not recovered to sustain fast control necessary for driving)
Possibly not being able to return to work
Family member travel for logistical and emotional support
The ongoing costs of Physical Therapy /Occupational Therapy / Speech Therapy
Further medications
Future surgeries (hopefully not)
Bills, student loans, etc. - Given she probably won’t return to work soon
Fixing her car– Shayna got into a minor fender bender the day we took her to the emergency room.
What You Can Do
Your support is insurmountable now. Of course Shayna and her family have been blindsided by this diagnosis. Any donation, even $5 or $10, can help us raise the money we need to do everything we can to help Shayna get through.
Please send this call to 5 people in your network who may be able to give.
Send blessings, love and prayers. Shayna, Chris and her family feel your support, we convey and channel your strength to Shayna. Your love and light are pivotal now.
With Love and in Gratitude,
Shayna, Chris and Family.
Shayna, Mom, sister and Dad and day, 6 days after surgery, her first trip outside!Sisters, Chelsea and ShaynaOrganizer and beneficiary
Chelsea Rae Klein
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Shayna Klein
Beneficiary