Join The Fight! Help Stephanie Beat Lung Cancer

Hi everyone,

I first want to share my gratitude for every single person that has prayed, sent a positive thought, good energy or donation since my diagnosis in October 2020. My heart radiates in gratitude and in love for every single person that has helped me throughout this journey.

So where am I now?

I am the most scared I have ever been since navigating this health journey. Previously, my lung cancer was limited to consolidation, meaning there was no formation of tumors in my lung. However, two months ago, a mass began developing in my right lung. All I knew was that I was having trouble swallowing. Considering I was “in remission” we thought that it was a muscular issue. However, by November, I could no longer swallow my own saliva, at which point I was rushed to the hospital.

After 13 days (including the Thanksgiving holiday) in the hospital, the doctors had discovered a small mass pushing against my esophagus. This mass constricts my esophagus so that no food or drink can pass through it. To receive the nutrition I need, the doctors surgically inserted a stomach PEG tube, which allows me to receive food directly into my stomach, avoiding eating or drinking altogether. My food (essentially a medically prescribed protein shake) is given through a syringe tube by my family. I lost almost 30 pounds during my hospital stay, but I am so grateful that since the PEG tube feeding started, I have regained about 10 pounds. I have yet to eat any “real” food or swallow my own secretion.

The Cancer Returns

A liver biopsy from the PEG tube surgery showed that the lung cancer had returned and spread to other parts of my spine and pelvis. Although there is targeted therapy (targeted therapy is a pill or capsule) available for my type of lung cancer, because I cannot swallow, and these types of drugs cannot be crushed and fed through my PEG tube, chemotherapy has been recommended.

Chemotherapy Begins

For this entire journey I had been avoiding chemotherapy due to the known consequences of the therapy. I had my first round of chemo on December 8, 2023 and am expected to continue treatment for an estimated 9 weeks. I have a lot of anxiety and fear about the next several months. At this moment, I am asking for your help during this time. I am asking for your prayers and positive thoughts. I believe in the power of faith, the power of our thoughts, and the power we have for self-healing.

My (Long) Health Journey

Since my diagnosis in October of 2020, I have been on a hybrid healing journey, embracing both conventional and alternative medicine. This included targeted therapy recommendations through The Johns Hopkins Hospital system, as well as various alternative treatments including The Gerson Therapy. By February of 2022, I was considered “in remission”. Although in remission, I needed to continue various prescribed protocols over the following three years. This meant that my daily schedule in remission was no different than when I was not in remission. For those who do not know, this included drinking 10 vegetable juices and doing 3 enemas a day, and only eating specific vegetables and fruits cooked to a mash, alongside my targeted therapy. Given my cancer was at stage IV at the start of this journey, I am grateful for my traditional and alternative medical teams for all of their work and dedication in getting me to where I am today.

Nonetheless, this multi-year protocol became increasingly exhausting with the same schedule, everyday, without break. The fatigue, exhaustion and other related physical reactions did not help make it any easier. It has been three years of being house-bound dedicating each day to healing and recovering.

How I Feel Now

Right now, I find myself in a never-ending fatigue. I am unable to do normal activities beyond the essentials of getting around my house. I am completely dependent on my family members for all activities and can only walk for about 10 minutes before needing a break. Due to my swallowing situation, I am only able to talk for more than a few minutes without throwing up my saliva and usually need to whisper when I speak. Every night is unpredictable due to the pain I am feeling; I never know at what time I will need to wake someone up to help me with my pain. Although this is how I feel each day, I am grateful for my ability to walk, to communicate, for the support of my family and friends, and the path of healing I am on.

My Hope with Your Help

My hope is that I can return to living a normal life. A life where I can work, where I can create a career, connect with my community, and create a family of my own. Where I can give back freely and in gratitude for all of the help I have received, and continue to receive, on this journey. In this moment, I want to open the space for everyone’s positive thoughts, warm emotions, monetary aid and any other medium of support that is meaningful for you. It all helps.

How This Page Helps

Your financial assistance will be going primarily towards medical needs not covered by my Medicaid program including medical appointments, prescriptions and supplies. This includes oncology and oncology-related visits, medical supplies such as syringes, feeding tubes, PEG food solution, gauze and stomach cleaning supplies, supplements specific to my chemotherapy treatment, prescriptions related to my chemotherapy treatment (i.e. nausea prevention and painkillers), additional drip-IV sessions, immunotherapy prescriptions, and transportation. It is surprising how quickly costs add up. Since my diagnosis, my parents have used all the proceeds from the sale of their house, as well as more and more portions of their retirement accounts to bridge the gaps. I would not be where I am without their commitment to my health.

The Power Within Each of Us

It has taken me a lot of courage to ask for help and to disclose a lot of the pain I have been feeling. But I am no longer afraid; I have learned the power of asking. Over the past three years, I have learned about the capacity we have to help each other. The power within each of us is tremendous.

I thank each person who is able to contribute, whether it is monetary assistance or prayer or even a message of support. It all helps on this journey. My family and I are forever grateful for each person at our side. Your donations and thoughts make all the difference in our lives.

As Always, Thank You

Thank you with all of my heart for taking the time to read this. Thank you for your love, light and healing. I know this journey will come to an end soon and I will be able to enjoy life like a normal person again. I very much hope to see you soon and personally give you all the gratitude I have for your help. Thank you so much.

-Stephanie Franco