Melissa’s Breast Cancer Fund

***Update**** 

My mom has gone through one round of chemo (which had to be stopped early due to low white blood count) and some radiation treatments. Unfortunately, due to the extensive disease in her bones she wound up with small compression fractures in her thoracic vertebrae. The pain from this caused her to be in the hospital for a couple of days for some help with pain management. My mom has been in bed since basically January and is doing a really good job at trying to keep her spirits up and understanding that this is needed to help her body heal. So far we are still waiting on grants and disability to kick in. If anyone has any advice on other funding opportunities we are all ears! We are asking for a little more help to get through the next couple of months. We so appreciate the kind words, help, and donated supplies that have been given in the last few weeks. 

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Hello, my name is Sierra Sandahl and I am Melissa's daughter. The last few days have honestly been a whirlwind of information and emotions. For anyone that knows my mom, you know that she is fierce and takes the challenges of life head-on. In 2021, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. In 2022, she went through all of the necessary steps needed to ring the gong (and book the next vacation). Unfortunately, over the last couple of months, she has been experiencing radiating pain throughout her body. During the last couple of weeks, the pain only got worse and led her to her favorite place...her doctor's office. After running some tests, they found two fractures in her pelvis and that her breast cancer has returned and metastasized. This means that her cancer has now spread to her bones specifically in her pelvis and spine. Her team of doctors are still making game plans but we do know that her treatment plan will include radiation and chemotherapy. Every day is filled with more appointments and more information. My mom is currently on bed rest and is unable to work. We are awaiting disability to kick in but are unsure what the timeline will be with that. We are expecting a few months to pass before any help with disability. Please consider helping us cover the next three months of bills as we wait for disability updates. As much as I want to snap my fingers and make this all go away, I know that the only way forward is through treatment and with the help of family and friends. This is going to be a tough road but I am so grateful that she is surrounded by so much love and support. If there is one thing my mom is the best at, it's choosing the people she surrounds herself with.

If monetary donations are not feasible for you, please keep us in your thoughts. Sending love and light to all. Feel free to contact us with any questions or thoughts.