Slone's Story

Hello all,

After talking with, and obtaining permission from Slone, I am here to share her story.

 

Slone was first diagnosed with Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma in 2011. In layman's terms, a form of brain and spinal cancer. She completed one and a half years of chemotherapy, which was enough to stabilize the cancer for several years.

 

In this period of stability, Slone attended William Jewell College and graduated with her degree in Elementary Education. Slone was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority at William Jewell College. After graduating, Slone taught 1st and 2nd grade at Gracemor Elementary from 2018-2021. Slone also met, and became engaged to Drew, and they plan to get married April 2022.

 

Unfortunately, Slone experienced relapse in May of 2020. She then underwent extensive spinal surgery to remove part of one of her spinal tumors, in hopes to decrease tumor burden and associated symptoms. She then restarted chemotherapy and experienced many side effects that impacted her quality daily of life, however, she persisted and continue to teach through the 2021 school year. In the summer of 2021, her chemotherapy was brought to an abrupt halt by a life threatening side effect that she was hospitalized for.

 

With continued monitoring and progression of Slone's pain and neurological symptoms, a consult a Mayo was obtained in October 2021. It was once again discovered that Slone's cancer was growing. Her brain tumor is showing  progressive growth in size, and a new spinal lesion was found. Slone, her family and friends, and her doctors are currently waiting for insurance approval of a new chemotherapy regimen. To anyone not in the medical field or who has not experienced anything like this, it sounds crazy. How can insurance not agree to approve chemotherapy? However, because Slone's cancer is not acting in the typical way that Pilocytic Astrocytoma usually does, and typical regimens have not worked for her, the chemotherapy that her oncologist has proposed is typically not used for this type of cancer. Now insurance has denied Mayo's request for her chemotherapy twice in the past few weeks and work is in progress to try and obtain the chemotherapy directly from the manufacturer.

 

As hard as Slone as tried to continue with life as planned, her side effects and pain have required that she resign from her teaching job for the 2021-2022 school year. Unfortunately, Slone has not qualified for disability benefits through her job or through the government. Understandably, as an adult not able to continue working due to circumstances beyond her control, extra stress is being endured.

 

Slone is the kindest soul who has made a positive impact on many family, friends, students, coworkers, and acquaintances lives. Slone is not one to reach out for help or let her diagnosis impact her outlook on life. However, it is time for Slone to catch a break. Providing Slone and Drew with donations will help to lessen external stressors and allow them to focus on Slone's continued recovery.

Please consider donating to help a friend out! Please share this link with those who are wondering what they can do to help.

 

-Maggie