Suzi B's (Burns) Battle with Cancer
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Hi, everyone! This is Suzi B's twin sister Cassy here to share her story.
During November of 2019, Suzi was diagnosed with Stage IIIa Non-Small Cell Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Suzi's first surgery in late November was the removal of the right lung. Since her first surgery, she was admitted twice for post-surgery complications, such as developing excessive fluid in her lungs which sent her to the Emergency Department. Once admitted, she was diagnosed with a Staph infection (MSSA) in the chest cavity, Pneumonia, and an Empyema (pus filled pocket between lung and chest wall) causing the need for a second surgery and additional chest tubes that were just as invasive as the first surgery. Within six weeks, she was admitted a third time due to complications with the infections, causing the need for yet another less invasive but very risky procedure, Pleurodesis.
"The Back Story"
Suzi B is an Emergency(ER)/ Trauma and Flight Medic Nurse of 25 plus years. Suzi has a fiery, electric personality and is referred to as "legendary" by her colleagues from saving hundreds of lives with her sharp critical thinking skills.
Suzi has flown all around the world transporting very ill patients. She has impacted, influenced, inspired and mentored hundreds of nurses in all of Palm Beach County to be their best, stand up to authority when advocating for a patient, not tolerate disrespect, and be tough because you will need to be in order to work ER/Trauma. Suzi lived by the motto: "never give up chasing your dreams." Suzi would stop at nothing to help a patient, always found the "good" in others, was known for her kindness, having a big heart, and baking the "best" cookies in all of Palm Beach County.
After a very arduous, emotionally-depleting, costly divorce causing the loss of her house, all her assets and her retirement, Suzi involuntary obtained a tiny efficiency apartment in Downtown Delray Beach. She was utterly, emotionally, and financially broken. To recover from the losses, she decided to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing degree (BSN). Just one month after moving in, Suzi was home invaded and held down at gunpoint. The attacker cut all lights in the apartment leaving it pitch dark; she courageously and miraculously shimmied on her back through the dark to the front door and out of harm's way. Despite being traumatized and living in constant fear, she achieved her Bachelor of Nursing degree. Once completed, she unequivocally persevered a Master of Nursing degree to become a Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). The entire academic journey took over 5 years with many sacrifices, setbacks, and one of life's toughest hurdles: suffering the loss of her two closest friends in their 40's that were tragically killed. Towards the end of the NP Program, again to face yet another one of life's hurdles, our mother was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. Suzi took a 3-month family leave from her position as an ER Nurse and uprooted from Florida to Delaware to temporarily care for our mom. While caring for our mom, she simultaneously continued her studies. Losing our mom to Ovarian Cancer, working as an ER Nurse, and trying to finish the Nurse Practitioner Master's program was beyond emotionally devastating and grueling. Suzi managed to graduate with the highest distinction, Summa Cum Laude, and passed the boards with higher-than-average scores. After 5 long, challenging years at all levels, she could finally see the finish line.
While preparing and studying for the board exam, she developed an upper respiratory infection that went away like the common cold- only to return with a dry persistent cough. With just days away from taking the board exam, she decided to take the exam first and then deal with her cough after. Two days after passing her NP Board Exam, late October 2019, feeling high on the mountain top celebrating her success, she was forced to face a life altering, possibly life threatening event after discovering a large malignant mass, via a chest X-ray, in her right lung.
Suzi survived being born an identical twin pre-maturely at 7 months only weighing 3 lbs. in the early sixties, when medical treatment was less than advanced. She survived many trials and life's adversities, and she will now have to fight once again to survive Cancer. She has proven well that she hasn't finished the fight, yet.
Thank you for reading Suzi B's story. She has been in and out of the hospital from November 2019 to the end of January 2020 while fighting for her life from very unusual and uncommon events; she will begin Chemo treatments starting February 2020. Suzi has been out of work since her diagnosis. Any contribution, no matter how big or small, would be deeply and greatly appreciated. This will help towards the costs of treatments and medical expenses.
Let's help someone that spent her entire life and career helping others and saving lives.
Thank you,
Cassy, her twin sister
During November of 2019, Suzi was diagnosed with Stage IIIa Non-Small Cell Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Suzi's first surgery in late November was the removal of the right lung. Since her first surgery, she was admitted twice for post-surgery complications, such as developing excessive fluid in her lungs which sent her to the Emergency Department. Once admitted, she was diagnosed with a Staph infection (MSSA) in the chest cavity, Pneumonia, and an Empyema (pus filled pocket between lung and chest wall) causing the need for a second surgery and additional chest tubes that were just as invasive as the first surgery. Within six weeks, she was admitted a third time due to complications with the infections, causing the need for yet another less invasive but very risky procedure, Pleurodesis.
"The Back Story"
Suzi B is an Emergency(ER)/ Trauma and Flight Medic Nurse of 25 plus years. Suzi has a fiery, electric personality and is referred to as "legendary" by her colleagues from saving hundreds of lives with her sharp critical thinking skills.
Suzi has flown all around the world transporting very ill patients. She has impacted, influenced, inspired and mentored hundreds of nurses in all of Palm Beach County to be their best, stand up to authority when advocating for a patient, not tolerate disrespect, and be tough because you will need to be in order to work ER/Trauma. Suzi lived by the motto: "never give up chasing your dreams." Suzi would stop at nothing to help a patient, always found the "good" in others, was known for her kindness, having a big heart, and baking the "best" cookies in all of Palm Beach County.
After a very arduous, emotionally-depleting, costly divorce causing the loss of her house, all her assets and her retirement, Suzi involuntary obtained a tiny efficiency apartment in Downtown Delray Beach. She was utterly, emotionally, and financially broken. To recover from the losses, she decided to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing degree (BSN). Just one month after moving in, Suzi was home invaded and held down at gunpoint. The attacker cut all lights in the apartment leaving it pitch dark; she courageously and miraculously shimmied on her back through the dark to the front door and out of harm's way. Despite being traumatized and living in constant fear, she achieved her Bachelor of Nursing degree. Once completed, she unequivocally persevered a Master of Nursing degree to become a Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). The entire academic journey took over 5 years with many sacrifices, setbacks, and one of life's toughest hurdles: suffering the loss of her two closest friends in their 40's that were tragically killed. Towards the end of the NP Program, again to face yet another one of life's hurdles, our mother was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. Suzi took a 3-month family leave from her position as an ER Nurse and uprooted from Florida to Delaware to temporarily care for our mom. While caring for our mom, she simultaneously continued her studies. Losing our mom to Ovarian Cancer, working as an ER Nurse, and trying to finish the Nurse Practitioner Master's program was beyond emotionally devastating and grueling. Suzi managed to graduate with the highest distinction, Summa Cum Laude, and passed the boards with higher-than-average scores. After 5 long, challenging years at all levels, she could finally see the finish line.
While preparing and studying for the board exam, she developed an upper respiratory infection that went away like the common cold- only to return with a dry persistent cough. With just days away from taking the board exam, she decided to take the exam first and then deal with her cough after. Two days after passing her NP Board Exam, late October 2019, feeling high on the mountain top celebrating her success, she was forced to face a life altering, possibly life threatening event after discovering a large malignant mass, via a chest X-ray, in her right lung.
Suzi survived being born an identical twin pre-maturely at 7 months only weighing 3 lbs. in the early sixties, when medical treatment was less than advanced. She survived many trials and life's adversities, and she will now have to fight once again to survive Cancer. She has proven well that she hasn't finished the fight, yet.
Thank you for reading Suzi B's story. She has been in and out of the hospital from November 2019 to the end of January 2020 while fighting for her life from very unusual and uncommon events; she will begin Chemo treatments starting February 2020. Suzi has been out of work since her diagnosis. Any contribution, no matter how big or small, would be deeply and greatly appreciated. This will help towards the costs of treatments and medical expenses.
Let's help someone that spent her entire life and career helping others and saving lives.
Thank you,
Cassy, her twin sister
Organiser and beneficiary
Cassy Magner
Organiser
Aberdeen, FL
Susan Burns
Beneficiary