Team Michelle--I AM THE STORM!

I set up this campaign for my sister-in-law, Michelle, who is battling stage IV cancer. My brother John took Michelle to the emergency room two weeks ago complaining of severe pain in her shoulder and back. After an endless series of X-Rays, MRI's, CAT Scans, PET Scans, Mammograms and Bone scans, doctors delivered the devastating diagnosis. Michelle had stage IV uterine cancer that had metastasized to her liver, bones, and lymph nodes.  As a family we felt as though we had been hit by a truck. How could this happen? 



Michelle started chemotherapy immediately but treatment had to be discontinued due to excess fluid that built up in Michelle's lungs.  She was finding it very difficult to breathe. Doctors had to place a chest tube to relieve the fluid and pressure in her lungs. Unfortunately her right lung collapsed and became "trapped", preventing her from getting any oxygen and she was immediately placed on a ventilator. She was no longer able to breathe on her own.  To complicate matters worse, Michelle contracted the MRSA virus, which further delayed her treatment. She was put on heavy duty antibiotics to battle this infection, which put a tremendous strain on her already weakened body.

Miraculously Michelle's right lung re inflated, enabling her to breathe slightly better with the aid of the ventilator. This gave everyone including Michelle great hope. The next day Michelle developed a pneumothorax in the right lung and had to be placed back on 100% support from the ventilator. In addition to this set back doctors found a blockage in her kidney which might require surgical intervention or a stent. It seems like for every step forward she takes two steps back.  But she has never stopped fighting, not for one second! She has too much she needs to fight for...


My brother John and his wife Michelle have known each other since they were young children in grammar school. They grew up, went to school, fell in love, married and raised their family here in Lyndhurst. Michelle has worked as a  Pre-K teacher at Saint Michael's Angel Academy in Lyndhurst for the past 7 years. She is the loving mother of 4 beautiful children, David and his wife April, Emily, Victoria and Tommy. She is also "Nana Shell" to Luciana, 4, and Christian, 3 months. Everything she does, she does for her family always putting herself last.

As you can imagine the medical bills for Michelle and her family will be astronomical. She has a very long road ahead of her which may include many rounds of chemotherapy and other expensive tests and treatments.

Yes, we are asking for your help. Whether it be a prayer, a home cooked meal, or any donation to help offset the cost of this devastating diagnosis, we are thankful for any and all of the support we will receive. We as a family will continue to support Michelle as she fights for her life. We thank you for your continued prayers, positive energy and support.

I'd like to share a favorite inspirational quote that I feel is appropriate to Michelle's story...

 

TEAM MICHELLE! #iamthestorm