Rebecca Staber Medical Fund

After two years of seeing dozens of doctors, Rebecca was diagnosed with Systematic Sclerosis (Scleroderma) on September 26th. It is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks healthy tissue (all tissues; skin, heart, lungs, GI track, muscle and joint structure throughout; see also https://www.healthline.com/health/scleroderma ) .... and it can be fatal. While there is no cure, the symptoms can be treated. Unfortunately, Rebecca has a very aggressive case. Her symptoms started with tightening of skin on her hands and development a rheumatoid arthritis two years ago. Six months ago, increasing joint and muscle pain from both the yet un-diagnosed SS and arthritis rapidly limited her ability to complete tasks such as tying shoes, opening bottles and cooking, which made caring for her 10 year old son challenging. Within a few months Rebecca began having difficulties swallowing and frequently experienced shortness of breath. By the time a clear diagnosis was made she had not been able to swallow solid food for two months. Over a week after her diagnosis was given, she started injections for broad spectrum autoimmune treatment. She did not react well to the medication and had to stop taking it. There was a delay through insurance to approve and provide the next option, IVIg treatment. The delay was too long and on October 23rd Rebecca finally went to the ER and was admitted for extreme malnutrition and dehydration. She received a surgically-placed feeding tube, which supplies nutrients directly to the stomach through a tube in her abdomen. This is her only source of food or water and it will be in place for at least 20 days even if she regains the ability to swallow sooner. The IVIg treatment was started in the hospital after another two days of waiting for approval by insurance. Thankfully, it seems that the IVIg is starting to slightly ease her joint symptoms and the “food” is slowly building her strength. – I’m going to be blunt here; a rosy outcome is not guaranteed. Rebecca weighed 115 pounds when she was admitted; she has gained 4 pounds back. The feeding tube incision is painful and she is hooked to a bag of food at all times. She still can’t swallow, can’t take a sip of water, still can’t speak clearly, or fully dress herself. It is unclear if she will be able to return to her full-time job when she regains more strength. This family is working through tragic hardship that is only compounded by the ridiculous cost of healthcare. I pushed Rebecca to let me create this fund page; she didn’t want a handout; she didn’t want people to pity her. So no pity! Instead see a woman who worked three jobs to combat the mounting medical bills, waiting on someone to push paperwork, until she physically collapsed. See her, see her son, see her family and help. This path will be long and the struggle for funds has already begun. Her continued faith and positivity in the face of an unknown future is astounding and I am blessed to call her my friend!