Project: Reconstruction

  • US$1,411.00
    Donated So Far
Help this ongoing fundraising campaign by making a donation and spreading the word.
Show more
Show less

 

 At the age of 28 this young woman's life was dramatically changed.  On July 9th, 2012 Stephanie Shepard May went in for a lumpectomy after finding a lump in her left breast.  She had four lymph nodes removed and on July 16th, she received the results that no one ever wants to hear.  "It's cancer."  After meeting with an oncologist it was decided that the best plan of action to attack the ductal carcinoma was to do a bilateral mastectomy and 8 rounds of chemotherapy.  The malignant tissue was confirmed with the lumpectomy in the left breast, but the chance of spreading was high due to the cancer being estrogen and progesterone receptor positive.  This information added an additional step to the surgery, a complete hysterectomy is one of the best ways to ensure that a woman's body doesn't produce these hormones. 

Only 7 weeks after her lumpectomy Stephanie went in for her bilateral mastectomy and hysterectomy.  The surgery went as scheduled and expanders were inserted to begin the reconstruction process.  With a exactly a month of healing behind her, Stephanie had her first round of chemo on September 27th.  Chemo was done every two weeks, with a projected outcome of 16 weeks total.  The thing about chemo is your immune system is weakened because of it, with a weakened immune system you get sick, when you get sick you have to postpone your next chemo session.  You are also susceptible to infection more during this time. 

Just a couple weeks before Christmas, Stephanie's incision split open due to a growing infection under her expanders.  An emergency surgery was done to remove the expanders and the infection, leaving her with nothing.  The expanders would have to wait.  January brought a new year, the last round of chemo, and a birthday wishes for Stephanie.  Birthday wishes about finishing the reconstructive surgery and beginning to put the life-changing cancer behind her.

Now it is February and the expanders were set to go back in on the 18th, then the hospital called.  Surgery is cancelled until the Board can review the case.  With much confusion Stephanie found out that the Board has to review the case because it is possible that the reconstruction surgery is now considered cosmetic instead of medically necessary.  This means more money out of pocket to cover the cost of the surgery,

 The goal of this site is to help take some of the financial burden off of Stephanie and her husband Chris.  Stephanie has been unable to work since last July, and like many people doesn't have any health insurance because her waitressing job didn't provide insurance and it wasn't financially possible to carry her on her husbands. With only one income coming in the stress to keep the lights on and a roof over their heads can get bad.  The money raised through this site and any additional fundraisers will go to help pay off medical bills, as well as the everyday cost of living for a young married couple.  Even when cancer strikes, there are still car payments, utilities, and a mortgage to pay ON TOP of all of the doctors bills.

Thank you in advance for all of your generosity and for opening your hearts to help someone that truly needs it.

Organizer

Donors

  • Chris Bailey
  • Donated on Jun 08, 2013
$100.00
  • Veronika & Wayne Maxfield
  • Donated on Apr 15, 2013
  • Stephanie, we admire how strong you have been through this difficult journey. We really hope you will be at the end of it very soon. Good luck with the surgery! Praying for you. Veronika & Wayne

$200.00
  • Brittney Persinger Griffin
  • Donated on Mar 23, 2013
Amount Hidden
Feb 12

Surgery

Update posted by Stephanie May at 11:13 pm

Hey everyone, this is Stephanie. So, the hospital did deny my surgery from being paid for under my financial assistance, but they are working on an alternative to help me pay for it. I should know more by the end of the week. I found out they have never approved. . . . .

See update
0

Donors & Comments

19 donors
  • Chris Bailey
  • Donated on Jun 08, 2013
$100.00
  • Veronika & Wayne Maxfield
  • Donated on Apr 15, 2013
  • Stephanie, we admire how strong you have been through this difficult journey. We really hope you will be at the end of it very soon. Good luck with the surgery! Praying for you. Veronika & Wayne

$200.00
  • Brittney Persinger Griffin
  • Donated on Mar 23, 2013
Amount Hidden
  • Shari
  • Donated on Feb 20, 2013
$50.00
  • Donny and Tina Roe
  • Donated on Feb 19, 2013
$36.00
  • Stephanie May
  • Posted On Feb 19, 2013
  • Thanks everyone! It is very much appreciated!

  • Amanda Burroughs
  • Donated on Feb 19, 2013
  • Not much, but hope it helps!! Prayers go out to ya hun!

$50.00
  • Brittney Persinger Griffin
  • Donated on Feb 18, 2013
  • You're such a fighter and an amazing woman!!!

Amount Hidden
  • Allyssa
  • Donated on Feb 14, 2013
$25.00
  • Chris Bailey
  • Donated on Feb 13, 2013
$100.00
Show more donors

Followers

4 followers
Camela Hernandez Moer
Lyndi Germany
Misty Champion
Stephanie May
US$1,411.00
Donated So Far

Help this ongoing fundraising campaign by making a donation and spreading the word.

Not Ready to Donate?

Did you know a 10 second Facebook share raises an average of $25?

Share on Facebook