Stephanie Cooper’s cancer treatment Fund

My Brother Mikado and his wife Stephanie are headed to Chicago on Monday to start another round of fighting Stephanie's cancer.  I hope this is a way we can all offer support for them during this very emotional time.  I asked my brother to write an update and just let you guys know what they are needing.  Please share with all your friends and family to help support them.  Here's what my brother wrote:

"My wonderful wife of 23 years was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer back on March 2019. She started to retain fluid and swelled up like she was pregnant. She had to be drained 3 times in a six week period for a total of 15 liters of fluid caused from an unknown cause, but most likely cancer would be the culprit. After getting a third  opinion at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa,  it was discovered that she had cancer of the appendix. It is literally a 1 in a million form of cancer. On April 17, 2019 she had a 13 hour surgery to remove parts of her colon, appendix and other parts that were covered with cancer. She then went through 12 rounds of chemotherapy up until November of 2019.  She was given a 2 month break from chemotherapy due the the severe side effects she was having. She still experiences neuropathy in her hands and feet. During the break from chemotherapy  her mother unexpectedly passed on December 24th and she went out of state to be with her father for a few weeks to help her family. In February her original symptoms of the fluid retention returned and she had to be drained   3 more times  for a total of 12 more liters of fluid, she started chemotherapy again. As of April 29th 2020 she completed her 17th round of chemotherapy. In March of 2020 her oncologist determined  surgery to be the next step in containing the cancer. The plan is to go back and see if cancer has spread and to remove anymore affected organs. During the surgery, they will also perform a procedure where they heat up the chemotherapy and pour it on her internal organs that the regular chemo cannot get to. Then they will close her back up. It is hoped that that will delay the spread and allow her not have to do regular chemotherapy for several months. Since the procedure is very rare, the surgery has to be performed at the Cancer Treatment Center in Chicago IL. We are asking for help to cover the cost of transportation from our home in Oklahoma to Chicago, and help out with lodging and meals during  the trip that could take 2 -3 weeks (depending on how extensive surgery is) before she can travel back home for recovery. The expected recovery time after hospital stay is 8 -10 weeks during which time she will not be able to work. She has applied for Family Medical Leave Act from her employer and if processed  it will only pay her about 60 percent of her regular pay.  We are asking for your help during this extremely difficult time in our life. Anything that you can give would be much appreciated."