Help Teresa fight Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma

Hi, my name is Tabatha Shipman, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my mother, Teresa, who was diagnosed with stage 3 multiple myeloma on July 3rd. Within hours of her diagnosis, she was admitted to the hospital, where she remains indefinitely as doctors work to manage her pain, with the hope that she will be transferred to a treatment center or inpatient rehab facility.

Her cancer is advanced and aggressive—it has already spread throughout her upper body, affecting both sides of her pelvis, her spine (from cervical to lumbar), ribs, sternum, collarbones, and both arms. She currently suffers from lytic lesions in many of her bones and a broken collarbone. She cannot walk, struggles to move, and is in constant pain. She’s already undergone many blood transfusions, and spinal surgery is being considered, with the likelihood of further procedures to stabilize the damage caused by this devastating disease.

Due to the severity of her condition, her medical team has determined that her body is too weak to withstand traditional chemotherapy. Instead, she will begin a less aggressive but still intensive treatment called CyBorD, which involves a combination of targeted medications and steroids. This is expected to be a long and arduous journey, and it’s likely that she will not return to her typical level of functioning for quite some time.

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How You Can Help

This fundraiser is to help cover the many costs associated with my mom’s treatment, including:

• Medical bills

• Transportation to and from appointments

• Housing and supportive care during treatment

My mom is a woman of deep faith who has always trusted in God to guide her through even the darkest times. When she was told how severe her prognosis is, her response was simple but full of faith: “God will get me through this”. We are asking for your prayers, your shares, and—if you are able—your donations to help support her as she begins the fight of her life.

Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in helping us meet her basic needs and give her a fighting chance at healing and recovery. If you can’t give, please share this campaign or send up a prayer for her comfort, strength, and hope.

Thank you for loving her with us.

—Tabatha