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Joanna's Cancer Battle

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In late September 2023, Joanna learned that she has Stage 3 malignant neoplasm in her right mandible (lower jaw bone). After a flurry of doctor appointments, tests, scans, and follow up appointments, on Monday, October 9, 2023, she is having the first of several surgeries and treatments.

During the first surgery, the doctor will remove the right half of her mandible and insert a temporary plate. The surgeon will also remove the lymph nodes from her neck. After this surgery, Joanna will not be able to speak or eat. She will have a feeding tube, and depending on swelling and ability to swallow, she may have a tracheostomy.

During her second surgery, scheduled on October 18, the surgeon will remove her fibula (the bottom bone in the lower leg) and will modify it. The reconstructed fibula will be grafted in as a new jaw. An oral surgeon will also place dental implants, to prepare for a future procedure to add dental crowns (teeth). 4-6 weeks after the first surgery, Joanna will begin chemotherapy and radiation.

As you can imagine, the medical bills are starting to pile up and quickly. The oral surgeon, implants, and crowns alone will total in excess of $40,000, all of which has to be paid in advance. While she has Medicare, insurance will not cover many of her expenses. As a retiree, she lives on a limited, fixed income.

She is a mom of 2 (+2) - Patrick (Amy) and Megan (Kevin), grandmother of 6 (+1) - Dakota (Abby), Morgan, Danielle, Ella, Gavin, and Vincent, and great-grandmother of 2 - Oliver and Andy.

If you know Joanna, you know she has lived her life serving and taking care of others at every opportunity, including working for St. Turibius in Chicago, serving as School Board President at St. Luke's in Irving, where she also started the after school childcare program, serving as a member of the altar society at St. Martin's in Forney, and a part of the grandmothers' club at Most Blessed Sacrament in Arlington. She has spent countless weekend mornings preparing and serving meals to residents at the Arlington Life Shelter, and many hours volunteering at her children's and grandchildren's schools. Now, she needs our help.

First and foremost, we ask for your prayers - for Joanna's health and healing, for her medical team to make the best decisions for her treatment and care, for our family as we all navigate the journey that lies ahead, and for God to grant everyone strength, peace and understanding throughout this process. If you feel called to help, please consider donating to her medical expense fund. Every dollar will help with the financial burden and allow her to focus on healing.
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $100
    • 1 yr
  • mary jo szlaga
    • $50
    • 1 yr
  • Anonymous
    • $25
    • 1 yr
  • Anonymous
    • $25
    • 1 yr
  • Anonymous
    • $100
    • 1 yr
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Organizer and beneficiary

Amy Schuster
Organizer
Forney, TX
Joanna Schuster
Beneficiary

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