Liz's Brain Surgery

My name is Kristine Stone, and I am running this fundraiser for my sister in law, Liz Stone Shafer​. Please read her story and consider helping out.  Thanks!

Her Story

I was diagnosed with an incurable Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer in February 2011 (nearly 6cm across in size).  I was rushed to the nearest hospital with a neuro-surgeon on call.  Surgery was performed, followed by 6 weeks of radiation therapy and chemotherapy.  The recovery was nothing I could have prepared for.  I continued on the monthly chemo for 8 cycles when almost exactly one year to the date (February 2012) of my original diagnosis the cancer started growing again.  Two months before this discovery my mom had sent me an article from one of her ladies’ magazines about a middle-age woman in California with the same cancer who had been alive for 6 years at that point.  Typically, those with this form of brain cancer can expect to live 6-12 months with treatment. 

My local doctor had no real promising treatments for me so I found where this woman was receiving treatment and 2 weeks later we arrived in Beverly Hills for my second brain surgery, to be followed by a clinical trial focusing on the immune system.  Thankfully the treatments were covered under the research budget, but travel expenses (driving/gas/food/hotel) were our responsibility.  A decent hotel in Beverly Hills runs about $250 per night with parking.  We made many trips initially for the treatment protocol, then reduced to one trip every two months.  We have at this point made over 30 trips to Cedars Sinai in Beverly Hills.  I was extremely blessed and had no abnormalities show on my scans for nearly three years.  We feel the Lord has more to do with my ability to be so “normal” and maybe the treatments helped some.

This past February 2015 a new spot was detected on my MRI and my team of doctors recommended surgery to remove the bulk of the tumor (due to it being so close to my midline) followed by enrolling in a second clinical trial focusing yet again on the immune system.  My third brain surgery took place on February 18, 2015.  My recoveries have seemed to get slightly more tolerable with each surgery.  This time however I had a procedure done that went wrong and set me back quite a bit in my healing. 

In May of this year, only two months after my surgery, a small spot was detected.  My doctor felt we should just keep any eye on it and not to do anything drastic yet.  In June the same spot had faded some but a new spot had shown up.  My doctor felt we should let it be for one more month and see what happens.  On Friday, July 10 2015 my scan showed increased size and brightness where the spot was.  Andy and I met with the oncologist and surgeon who recommended I come in on July 20 for surgery.  This recurrence expels me from the clinical trial.  My oncologist mentioned I may be eligible for a adenovirus trial if we can postpone the surgery until the slot opens up in August.  We left Los Angeles on Friday and spent the entire weekend in utter turmoil trying to decide if we need to rush into surgery on the 20th or risk the tumor growing beyond operability to do the virus trial.  With much praying and sincere advice from loved ones we received word on Monday (decision deadline day) that the doctors feel comfortable waiting until August. 

I will be having my fourth brain surgery the week of August 10 (exact date to be determined), but will need to stay in the area for at least two weeks following due to the regimen of labs/appointments/etc.  We have never thought of asking for financial assistance until now.  The hotel bill alone will run a few thousand dollars, Andy will have to miss a substantial amount of work.  Thankfully we stay at a Residence Inn who gives us a discount ($250, but it is Beverly Hills) and we have the ability to buy groceries and make our own meals.  Any help in any form is so greatly appreciated.   We truly believe that I am still here today because of God’s grace and mercy and pray that he protects me through this operation and treatment.  My options are becoming very few at this point and my cancer is not growing in a desirable direction.

Sincerely and God Bless,

Liz & Andy

Her Story in Pictures

She was having headaches at the time this picture was taken.  This was the day she knew something was wrong. A month later we would find out why.

First family picture post first surgery. 

Andy, Liz's husband, has been by her side, the whole way through. 

Dave and Bonnie, Liz's parents, have been huge supporters through all of this.

Even after having three surgery, she still stays as active as she can.


Please donate and help fund their next trip for another surgery and experimental treatment.