Her Wish
Donation protected
About 6 months ago, I met a lady named Stephanie. Our sons are in kindergarten together and they have become good friends so it made sense that we would meet and of course, we have become friends as well. Shortly after I met Stephanie, I learned her story and she broke my heart and inspired me all at the same time. Here is her story to the best of my recollection.
Stephanie married her high school sweet heart and they began a life together. They shared their home with his mom and eventually had two sons. Not long after the birth of her second son, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and shortly after her diagnosis her mother in law was diagnosed with some type of cancer (sorry, type eludes me). Both of these ladies began the fight of their lives together. They had lots of support and both were equally determined to win. Stephanie received the news that her cancer was in remission as her mother-in-law was losing her battle. It was a bittersweet time for the family having to say goodbye to grandma while celebrating mom’s success.
As life began to return to normal over the next couple of years, Stephanie found it difficult to get back up to full strength. Her doctor performed more scans and they discovered that her cancer had in fact returned and that it had spread to her bones. She had breast cancer on her pelvis and spine. This time her cancer would not be beat. The doctors told her it was incurable and that her best chance at this point was to fight it in order to prolong her life as much as possible for the sake of her sons and husband. Stephanie has been fighting diligently, eating all the right foods, taking all the right precautions, thinking positively, and staying actively involved in life, but as her doctor said, it would not be beat this time. It’s not a matter of “if”, but “when”. About a month ago, Stephanie had been feeling run down and in a lot of pain so they ran more scans and her cancer has spread. There are more spots on her pelvis, it has gone further up her spine, and it has now found her liver. Another big blow.L Stephanie continues to fight though; she has two boys she wants to see graduate and maybe even get married someday.
Stephanie wants to make every moment with her family count. She is being wise this time around and accepting help so that she can rest and really focus on her health so that her time with her family can be filled with laughter and love. One night while we were talking, she mentioned that she would love to be a “make-a-wish” recipient so that she could take her family on a super fun vacation that would put even more good memories in the memory bank for her family. She specifically said that she wishes she could afford to take her kids to Disney World. I wish I had a magic wand, because this family deserves it. Her boys are great kids, her husband works all day and dotes over her and the boys at night. Stephanie tries to be at school with her kids whenever possible whether it’s to help in the classroom or go on fieldtrips. She is devoted to her family.
I priced out a dream Disney World vacation for a family of four, for five days in the parks with airfare and hotel and it could be done for around $6000, but I wanted to figure in a little wiggle room and some spending money as well. Stephanie deserves to have this wish. Her kids deserve to have this memory with their mother. My life is better for having known her, and I hope that I can contribute to hers as well.
Stephanie married her high school sweet heart and they began a life together. They shared their home with his mom and eventually had two sons. Not long after the birth of her second son, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and shortly after her diagnosis her mother in law was diagnosed with some type of cancer (sorry, type eludes me). Both of these ladies began the fight of their lives together. They had lots of support and both were equally determined to win. Stephanie received the news that her cancer was in remission as her mother-in-law was losing her battle. It was a bittersweet time for the family having to say goodbye to grandma while celebrating mom’s success.
As life began to return to normal over the next couple of years, Stephanie found it difficult to get back up to full strength. Her doctor performed more scans and they discovered that her cancer had in fact returned and that it had spread to her bones. She had breast cancer on her pelvis and spine. This time her cancer would not be beat. The doctors told her it was incurable and that her best chance at this point was to fight it in order to prolong her life as much as possible for the sake of her sons and husband. Stephanie has been fighting diligently, eating all the right foods, taking all the right precautions, thinking positively, and staying actively involved in life, but as her doctor said, it would not be beat this time. It’s not a matter of “if”, but “when”. About a month ago, Stephanie had been feeling run down and in a lot of pain so they ran more scans and her cancer has spread. There are more spots on her pelvis, it has gone further up her spine, and it has now found her liver. Another big blow.L Stephanie continues to fight though; she has two boys she wants to see graduate and maybe even get married someday.
Stephanie wants to make every moment with her family count. She is being wise this time around and accepting help so that she can rest and really focus on her health so that her time with her family can be filled with laughter and love. One night while we were talking, she mentioned that she would love to be a “make-a-wish” recipient so that she could take her family on a super fun vacation that would put even more good memories in the memory bank for her family. She specifically said that she wishes she could afford to take her kids to Disney World. I wish I had a magic wand, because this family deserves it. Her boys are great kids, her husband works all day and dotes over her and the boys at night. Stephanie tries to be at school with her kids whenever possible whether it’s to help in the classroom or go on fieldtrips. She is devoted to her family.
I priced out a dream Disney World vacation for a family of four, for five days in the parks with airfare and hotel and it could be done for around $6000, but I wanted to figure in a little wiggle room and some spending money as well. Stephanie deserves to have this wish. Her kids deserve to have this memory with their mother. My life is better for having known her, and I hope that I can contribute to hers as well.
Organizer and beneficiary
Doris Atherton
Organizer
Nampa, ID
Stephanie Sena
Beneficiary
