On May 27th, 2016 my sister Shayna was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. We received the news just 5 days after her 29th birthday. Our family was devastated but Shayna was ready to fight. Shayna was fearless and as my big sister, I knew she could beat anything she put her mind to. At only 29 years old, she had the rest of her life to fight for.
Shayna underwent one round of chemotherapy. We thought it was a blessing that she didn't have to do more. Just a few short weeks after finishing chemo, Shayna had a double mastectomy. Her surgeons practically came skipping out of the operating room telling my mom that they successfully removed all that was left of the cancer. After 4 weeks of healing, Shayna would be able to have her reconstructive surgery. The finish line felt so close.
On Thanksgiving November 24th, 2016 my sister was complaining of stomach pains and constipation. Later that night the pain became so unbearable that her husband rushed her to the emergency room. Her blood work showed her platelets were at an 8. Assuming her low platelets was a reaction caused by the chemo, the hospital kept her for 3 days giving her platelet and blood transfusions before releasing her back home. Less than a day after being released from the hospital, my sister woke up bleeding through her gums. Upon her return to the hospital we found out her platelets dropped to a 5. The next 3 days consisted of more blood and platelet transfusions before her doctor finally requested a bone marrow test. How was her body destroying the platelets faster than they could put them in her body? Her bone marrow results would never make it in time.
On December 3rd, 2016, my sister's platelets were non-existent. She was losing circulation of her blood and her heart rate began to fall. Shayna was put on life support. Her doctor believed she had bled into her brain. Without a stable heartbeat they couldn't do a CAT scan to confirm. We were told our Shayna was already gone and that if we chose to proceed with extensive measures to bring her back that she would live in a nursing home for the rest of her life. Our family made the difficult decision to take Shayna off life support. She passed shortly after surrounded by her husband, our mom, our aunt, her best friend, and myself.
Shayna was a daughter, a wife, a sister, a niece, a friend, and a warrior inside and out. No matter how hard things got, she never lost her smile. She fought with bravery, courage and elegance. Her fearlessness is why she was admired by so many. She will be in our hearts forever.
My mom and I are reaching out for help in paying the costs required to lay Shayna to rest. The deposit has already been paid to hold the niche right under where our father was put to rest. The cemetery requires the niche to be paid in full before they will put my sister's urn in the niche. My mom and I have agreed to split the cost and finance the remaining balance but at the rate that we can afford it will be 2 years before we can finally lay Shayna to rest. This fund will go towards the outstanding balance of her niche.
We would appreciate it if you shared this link with your friends and family and we thank you for your support.
Shayna underwent one round of chemotherapy. We thought it was a blessing that she didn't have to do more. Just a few short weeks after finishing chemo, Shayna had a double mastectomy. Her surgeons practically came skipping out of the operating room telling my mom that they successfully removed all that was left of the cancer. After 4 weeks of healing, Shayna would be able to have her reconstructive surgery. The finish line felt so close.
On Thanksgiving November 24th, 2016 my sister was complaining of stomach pains and constipation. Later that night the pain became so unbearable that her husband rushed her to the emergency room. Her blood work showed her platelets were at an 8. Assuming her low platelets was a reaction caused by the chemo, the hospital kept her for 3 days giving her platelet and blood transfusions before releasing her back home. Less than a day after being released from the hospital, my sister woke up bleeding through her gums. Upon her return to the hospital we found out her platelets dropped to a 5. The next 3 days consisted of more blood and platelet transfusions before her doctor finally requested a bone marrow test. How was her body destroying the platelets faster than they could put them in her body? Her bone marrow results would never make it in time.
On December 3rd, 2016, my sister's platelets were non-existent. She was losing circulation of her blood and her heart rate began to fall. Shayna was put on life support. Her doctor believed she had bled into her brain. Without a stable heartbeat they couldn't do a CAT scan to confirm. We were told our Shayna was already gone and that if we chose to proceed with extensive measures to bring her back that she would live in a nursing home for the rest of her life. Our family made the difficult decision to take Shayna off life support. She passed shortly after surrounded by her husband, our mom, our aunt, her best friend, and myself.
Shayna was a daughter, a wife, a sister, a niece, a friend, and a warrior inside and out. No matter how hard things got, she never lost her smile. She fought with bravery, courage and elegance. Her fearlessness is why she was admired by so many. She will be in our hearts forever.
My mom and I are reaching out for help in paying the costs required to lay Shayna to rest. The deposit has already been paid to hold the niche right under where our father was put to rest. The cemetery requires the niche to be paid in full before they will put my sister's urn in the niche. My mom and I have agreed to split the cost and finance the remaining balance but at the rate that we can afford it will be 2 years before we can finally lay Shayna to rest. This fund will go towards the outstanding balance of her niche.
We would appreciate it if you shared this link with your friends and family and we thank you for your support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amanda Schuldt
Organizer
North Las Vegas, NV
Lenore Joseph
Beneficiary