Help Crystal win the fight against Stage 4 MBC

Update: We would love to thank everyone for all the love and support sent our way! A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT to Gretchen and all of SitNBulls' staff and patrons for the love and support! And a HUGE thanks to EVERYONE for the INCREDIBLE levels of support, so selflessly given! The money raised through this site, cookie sales, the SitNBull raffle/auction and their donation jar has given Crystal the ability to pay the next 2 years of her out of pocket maximum! And we aren't trying to slow down. We have another fundraising event planned at Alibis Bar and Grill, off Broadway and Mineral, on the 29th! There will be a Chili cook off and another auction/raffle. Kids are welcome; so please, come join us! We will post more info for the Alibis event on FB, so keep an eye out and get it in the calendars! The last one went incredibly well and we are hoping for another great turnout!

MEDICAL UPDATE:

We are incredibly happy to share the great news coming from Crystal's treatment. On Oct 7th she had her bi-monthly PET scan and the results are breathtaking. With significant improvements across the board!

Head/Neck: still clear.

Chest: Previous identified lesions in the right breast have "significantly decreased in size and metabolic activity" going from 20mm to 11mm. A massive 45% decrease in an 8 week period. Her bilateral axillary lymph nodes have also significantly decreased in size and activity. The left node going from the original size of 2.3 x 1.6 cm to 14 x 7mm which is HUGE change and the right node going from 18 x 12mm to 14 x 8mm another amazing improvement! And her Hilar and Mediastinal nodes have "resolved in activity and decreased in size" which is incredible for 8 weeks!

Abdomen/Pelvis: Clear in a medical sense, no update on her hip joint area that had previous activity but we will have more updates and clarification on the 13th of Oct.

Musculoskeletal: Previously identified widespread Metastatic disease throughout the "axial" being any bones that connect to the spine as well as all the bones in her appendages have significantly decrease in size and activity with some areas of residual mild hypermetabolic activity. Spinal measurements of 8.8 down to 3.1 and 6.1 down to 2.5 in specific areas of the spine.

We have no update on the right pevlic area, neck, and the left posterior bones in the musculoskeletal update, hopefully will have more info with the next readings.

MRI results show no major changes in the lining of the skull so no reductions but they're not growing or spreading!

We are excited to share the tremendous medical progress with you all! Treatments of Ibrance and Letrozole are going well, she hasn't experienced many side effects. She gets a little foggy brained but otherwise hasn't been super nauseous or some of the other side effects. She's doing great and we pray she keeps responding to the treatments! Her hormone blockers are not pleasant but she's still kicking ass staying strong through this all.

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We started this fund out of the fear that such a harsh diagnosis would require a lot of specialist care and medicine that could cripple a family of 4 financially. All while the center of their world has to fight the toughest battle of her life.

Crystal is optimistic and staying positive through all of this. She is a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. If you have had the pleasure of spending any time with her, then you know she is the most AMAZING person and is a huge light in all our lives. She is the bringer of love and fun to all of our family get-togethers and trips and has always been ready and willing to help a friend in need.

A few years ago, Crystal went to her primary care doctor to have a lump looked at. Her doctor did an ultrasound and told her she had a “fatty mass” and that she was too young to have breast cancer.

On August 3, 2022, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer at age 31. After meeting with an Oncologist, she was sent for a PET scan to see if the cancer had spread. The PET scan showed cancer in several areas of her spine, hips, sternum, shoulder blade, femur and lymph nodes surrounding her lungs. Her next step was an MRI, where they found a few spots of cancer on her skull and possibly the lining of her brain.

Crystal was able to qualify for 2 different prescription discount programs, which brings her current medication cost down to around $50 per month. Even with this great news, we know there will be many other expenses, including medical bills, possible surgery and lost wages when she is unable to work. In addition to the medical expenses, Crystal and her husband Shay are traveling to Louisiana to visit a few other Oncologists to ensure that her treatment plan is right for her.

We are asking that you share Crystal’s story and contribute to her cause if you are able to. The Hunter and Shipman families are fighting along with Crystal, and we greatly appreciate any support and prayers that you can share.

Thank you,

The Hunter & Shipman Families