Shannon Strong!
Donation protected
On December 8, 2020, my brother Tyler Buchheit and his girlfriend Shannon Nelson (age 28, daughter of Dave and Yolanda Nelson of Prairie du Chien) went in to see their family doctor for pain and tightness in Shannon’s right breast. After a small lump was found in her breast, an ultrasound and biopsy were scheduled and performed at Gundersen Health in La Crosse, WI.
On January 11, 2021, Shannon was diagnosed with Angiosarcoma - a rare, fast-moving, and aggressive blood vessel cancer - in her right breast. Doctors in La Crosse preformed exams and scheduled multiple MRIs and CT scans in order to determine how much the cancer had spread.
After receiving her diagnosis, Shannon was informed that UW Health in Madison has a sarcoma unit that deals specifically with her form of cancer. Shannon and Tyler chose to switch to the specialists at UW Health in order to get her the best possible care, and a mastectomy was scheduled to remove tissue from her right breast.
Unfortunately, the scans from January 11th highlighted another small mass in Shannon's left breast. Further ultrasounds and biopsies were performed on the new mass, and on February 16th, they received results indicating that the second small mass also contained Angiosarcoma. Because Shannon's cancer was no longer contained to one area, her mastectomy was cancelled in favor of chemotherapy.
Doctors are recommending 6 cycles of chemotherapy to eliminate any other cancer cells that may have developed. One cycle will consist of 3 consecutive days of labs and treatment in Madison with a three week break between each cycle. This 18 week period will include additional scans between chemotherapy treatments.
After completing chemotherapy, Shannon will have a mastectomy to remove tissue in her right breast along with any cancer cells that remain.
Due to potential fertility issues after undergoing chemotherapy, Shannon and Tyler are also undergoing the process of freezing and storing embryos with the hope of having children in the future.
Because of the amount of appointments in Madison, Shannon is currently unable to work either of her two jobs (Prairie Maison Nursing Home in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and Garden View Assisted Living in Monona, Iowa). She has also been advised not to work during her chemotherapy due to the increased risk of COVID-19 infection. Not being able to see her favorite residents and staff has already been very hard on her.
All donations will go directly towards helping pay for the following expenses, which are adding up quickly:
• Chemotherapy and other treatment costs
• Maintaining insurance coverage
• Fertility treatment costs
• Travel expenses
• Hotel costs
For taking the time to read Shannon's story, thank you!
If you choose to make a donation, thank you!
If you're unable to donate but are willing to share this GoFundMe with others, thank you!
Any way in which you choose to support Shannon truly means the world to both of our families.
This won’t be an easy road, but together we will kick cancer's ass!
On January 11, 2021, Shannon was diagnosed with Angiosarcoma - a rare, fast-moving, and aggressive blood vessel cancer - in her right breast. Doctors in La Crosse preformed exams and scheduled multiple MRIs and CT scans in order to determine how much the cancer had spread.
After receiving her diagnosis, Shannon was informed that UW Health in Madison has a sarcoma unit that deals specifically with her form of cancer. Shannon and Tyler chose to switch to the specialists at UW Health in order to get her the best possible care, and a mastectomy was scheduled to remove tissue from her right breast.
Unfortunately, the scans from January 11th highlighted another small mass in Shannon's left breast. Further ultrasounds and biopsies were performed on the new mass, and on February 16th, they received results indicating that the second small mass also contained Angiosarcoma. Because Shannon's cancer was no longer contained to one area, her mastectomy was cancelled in favor of chemotherapy.
Doctors are recommending 6 cycles of chemotherapy to eliminate any other cancer cells that may have developed. One cycle will consist of 3 consecutive days of labs and treatment in Madison with a three week break between each cycle. This 18 week period will include additional scans between chemotherapy treatments.
After completing chemotherapy, Shannon will have a mastectomy to remove tissue in her right breast along with any cancer cells that remain.
Due to potential fertility issues after undergoing chemotherapy, Shannon and Tyler are also undergoing the process of freezing and storing embryos with the hope of having children in the future.
Because of the amount of appointments in Madison, Shannon is currently unable to work either of her two jobs (Prairie Maison Nursing Home in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and Garden View Assisted Living in Monona, Iowa). She has also been advised not to work during her chemotherapy due to the increased risk of COVID-19 infection. Not being able to see her favorite residents and staff has already been very hard on her.
All donations will go directly towards helping pay for the following expenses, which are adding up quickly:
• Chemotherapy and other treatment costs
• Maintaining insurance coverage
• Fertility treatment costs
• Travel expenses
• Hotel costs
For taking the time to read Shannon's story, thank you!
If you choose to make a donation, thank you!
If you're unable to donate but are willing to share this GoFundMe with others, thank you!
Any way in which you choose to support Shannon truly means the world to both of our families.
This won’t be an easy road, but together we will kick cancer's ass!
Organizer and beneficiary
Zach Mara
Organizer
Prairie du Chien, WI
Tyler Buchheit
Beneficiary