Stephanie's Journey of KICKING cancer's BUTT!

My very dear friend Stephanie is 30 years old and she was recently diagnosed with cancer this past November.  For those of you who know her, you know that she is an extraordinary human being.  She is cheerful, loving, unbelievably strong and always puts her friends and family before herself. 

Stephanie underwent surgery in November to have her appendix removed. With further testing cancerous cells were detected in her abdomen. She was diagnosed with stage 3 appendix cancer (low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm). This type of cancer is a mucin secreting tumor and it ruptured causing tumor cells to spread into her abdomen and those cells now are implementing on other organs causing more tumors. The formation of the mucin in the abdomen is a secondary cancer called PMP pseudomyxoma peritonei.  As a result, she will be having to undergo MAJOR surgery known as a HIPEC, this surgery includes cutting her from her sternum down to her pelvis to take out pieces of organs or possibly the entire organ if the cancer has gotten to it and possibly a total hysterectomy. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing for sure what all will be removed until the surgeons are looking inside of her abdomen.  After removal then surgeons will then infuse 110F hot chemo into her abdomen for 90min. The whole surgery will take around 9 hours.

This surgery has required her to fly to Houston, Texas to endure a long stay at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Stephanie chose this specific hospital because MD Anderson specializes in this rare type of cancer and the cure rate was by far the best at this hospital in comparison to others.

Because of this, she will likely not be able to return to work for a few months. Short term disability unfortunately does not provide full pay. Her deductible is over $6,000 and some of her medical expenses are not covered, family flights to and from Texas plus hotel stays are not reimbursed at 100% and with the everyday necessities of life, money is getting tighter and tighter.  

Stephanie is one of the strongest, most selfless people I have ever known and is always there to give her love and support or the shirt off her back to anyone that needs it.   
Now, it's time that we send back some of that love and support to Stephanie.
Anything you can donate will be truly appreciated. Everything we can do to help and surround her with love is what is most important so she can focus on beating this thing. Please spread the word. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

#cancersucks