Help Kay-Shand Fight Mesothelioma Cancer

Hello, I am Phylicia, and I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of my friend Kay-Shand.

On March 5th, 2023, Kay-Shand found out that she has two soft tissue masses in her lungs, one being two centimeters and the other being five centimeters at the time of her first CT scan. Following this discovery, Kay-Shand underwent a biopsy to test whether the growth was cancerous. Her Pulmonologist had advised her that because of the size of the larger growth, it will need to be removed, whether or not it is cancerous. Sadly, on May 10th, 2023, Kay-Shand found out that the growth is indeed cancer, specifically Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos. She will now need to get surgery to remove the tumor and would also need chemotherapy and radiation. Because of the severity of this aggressive form of cancer, she is now requiring urgent medical attention.

Never has she been more tested than this past October when she lost her mother to cancer. Life has brought Kay-Shand back home once again to be by her mother’s side in her final days at Agape House, Bermuda. On October 17th, 2022, Kay-Shand's mother, Mrs. Caren Swan, lost her battle with cancer, leaving behind Kay-Shand and her two sisters, ages seventeen and thirteen, and her stepfather, Markanthony Sawn. Kay-Shand got back home just in time to be by her mother's side and help her family through their collective grief after her mother's death. She is a humble, family-oriented person who is very considerate, and merciful. Most would say she gave up everything to return home but to her, she gained everything.

We are so grateful for any support and donations during this difficult time. If you are unable to donate, please share this post and send prayers. All of these funds will go 100% towards any and all medical expenses that Kay-Shand accrues.

Thank you soo much for your support during this hard time. God bless.

UPDATE:

In August 2023, Kay-Shand visited the emergency room at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City yet again and was admitted to the hospital due to the problems of my visit. During her hospitalization, she underwent a right posterolateral thoracotomy, which involved reconstructing her right lung and removing the majority of her right lung that was covered with cancerous tissue. Kay-Shand also had to have her diaphragm and liver repaired since the cancer had spread to them.

Overall, the operation was invasive but successful.

After some recovery in the ICU under heavy sedation, Kay-Shand came around and was discharged two weeks after her surgery. Since then, she has been recovering slowly with the aid of physical therapy , and went back to the emergency room after feeling severe pain that wasn’t typical of the recovery process. This resulted in her being diagnosed with post-surgical neuropathic pain which has required ongoing medication to assist with her nerve pain.

To know Kay-Shand is to know that she is an extremely lively person. She has had some hurdles in coming to terms with her new normal, but her body constantly reminds her to slow down. With the added stress of now needing to pay for these exorbitant medical bills and wanting to recover well enough to be able to travel home to see her sisters as they face challenges and need their sister.

Due to the severity of her surgery her body must recover before this long process begins. Currently, Kay-Shand requires repeated cycles of radiation and immunotherapy to ensure that all cancer cells decrease and remain under control.

Any donations are appreciated during this time and no donation is too small!

Prayers and words of encouragement are also appreciated to help Kay-Shand in keeping the faith and keep pushing on.