Help for Susan’s Cancer Journey

To say this past year has been a challenge would be an understatement! Last April, a routine screening test showed a mass in my lung. After several additional tests and a biopsy, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Getting this diagnosis was shocking and scary. The cancer was in my lungs, lymph nodes, and a tumor had also grown on my sternum (breastbone). I immediately was thrown into the world of being a cancer patient, with many appointments, radiation, and a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which is a newer treatment that uses your own immune system to help fight cancer.

The treatments were successful in keeping my cancer stable, but then I developed new chest pain, which led to having a procedure on my heart to place 3 stents in September. At that time, I also started a new clinical trial treatment for my cancer. This treatment was shown to be successful in other types of cancer, and is currently being studied in lung cancer. After several successful rounds, I developed a severe reaction to one of medications and spent time in the hospital to treat it. Unfortunately, the risk of continuing on the trial was too high for me to continue, and now we are waiting to see what the next plan will be after my next scans at the end of February.

Going through this treatment is difficult and I never quite know what could be coming next. With the pandemic, Covid poses a great risk to me, due to being immunocompromised from my treatments. I will be undergoing some type of treatment indefinitely, and the expenses of my care, medications, and traveling to and from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor are adding up.

I love the work that I do at Orchard Lake Country Club, but given the pandemic, it is not safe for me to be working at this time. It is so easy to take health for granted until something happens. My family and faith are carrying me through this difficult journey, and I would be so appreciative of any contributions that will help ease the financial burden of going through cancer during a pandemic.

Other options for donations include:

Venmo: @Susan-Antonelli-9

(Last 4 of phone-5654)

CashApp: $SusanAntonelli

PayPal: @Antonelli1

We are forever grateful for your support and prayers!