Help Candace beat cancer
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Update (January 28): Candace is recovering from surgery very well! The pathology revealed that she had low-grade stage IV pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). This type of cancer is typically confined to the abdominal cavity; it does not metastasize to the blood and bones the way that other cancers do. This is good news! Although it was stage IV, because they were able to surgically remove all of the visible cancer, there is a high likelihood that the cancer will not return.
Candace's focus now is on recovering from the invasive abdominal surgery (sometimes referred to as the mother of all surgeries). She is recovering well. It is a slow, bit-by-bit process, but she is doing well. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she continues her recovery process. Although she is doing well, she still has a ways to go in terms of recovery from the surgery.
As far as the cancer, she will continue to have regular CT scans to check for any reoccurence, but a high percentage of patients do not have a reoccurence. Thank you all for your generosity and your thoughts and prayers. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
Update (December 8): Candace's surgery on December 6 was successful! The surgeons were able to remove all visible cancer. Tissue samples have been sent to pathology; it's estimated it will take about a week to get results. This will tells us the exact form of cancer and the stage.
The task in front of her now is recovery from the surgery. The surgery was very intense and recovery is estimated to take approximately two months. Candace is still in the hospital in Spokane and is expected to remain in the hospital for at least one more week.
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Candace Chappelle recently learned that she has cancer. The exact type and stage of cancer is not yet known. On Wednesday, December 6, she will undergo an aggressive combination of surgery and chemotherapy to remove the tumors and fluid, determine the type and stage of the cancer, and administer chemotherapy internally. Recovery from this procedure will take approximately 2 months.
Candace is a graduate student at Washington State University working on her PhD in Mathematics & Science Education. Although she has insurance through her graduate assistantship, it is not good insurance.
There are many unknowns, including how this will impact her studies, her graduate assistantship (and consequently, her insurance), the type and stage of cancer, the final cost of medical services, etc. But we do know that she will need help - not just for covering the medical bills, but also for gas to and from appointments, caregivers, medical supplies, etc. We will be pursuing all forms of financial assistance available through the medical offices she visits and through the state, but additional donations will also be greatly appreciated.
Candace is passionate about helping students conquer fear of math and reach their potential. Even her dissertation is about helping people - she is investigating ways to support students being successful in developmental mathematics courses and beyond. Now is our chance to help her. Any and all donations are appreciated!
Organizer and beneficiary
Abigail Cortez
Organizer
Pullman, WA
Candace Chappelle
Beneficiary