Author: integritivity

Mike has been diagnosed gliosarcoma (more aggressive, faster-moving, more resistant to treatment), that morphed from the original diagnosis of Grade IV glioblastoma.  He had surgery in April and is now in a 30-session radiation treatment in the Houston Medical Center, taking oral chemo. He was in a clinical trial study but was dropped after only one application, in favor of Optune technology that will hopefully start in late July or early August.

Mike’s wish was granted for assistance to take a short trip with his wife, Donna, who he says is his “bride-along, my reason for living”.

 

In December 2018, Tina was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. Surgery was successful to remove all of it from her colon, but it had already metastasized to her lymph nodes and liver. She completed 18 chemo treatments and got to ring the bell for Chemo Graduation six months later. Shortly thereafter, she learned that there is a new spot on her liver and the cancer has spread to her lungs. There is no surgery, chemo or radiation options available that could help the outcome of this situation.

Tina’s bucket list includes taking a trip to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios and seeing the ocean. Her wish is being granted!

“David is loved by everyone he comes in contact with. He has never married nor has any children so he continues to work despite his pain and illness progression. Daily he puts smiles on others’ faces and never asks for anything. He was just diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. Despite finishing chemo recently, it has progressed to his stomach.”

David was visited at the hospital by Chris Pronger of the St. Louis Blues!

Stella’s Wish Foundation will also give a dinner party for David with his friends and coworkers at The Christy Banquet Center.

 

 

 

 

Detanya is a lovely 45-year-old single woman diagnosed in January 2019 with stage IVB cervical cancer. She does not have family where she lives on Staten Island. Her ability to socialize has been limited by her chemotherapy and side effects of treatment and disease process.   Detanya wished for a laptop so that she would be able to communicate with family in Chicago, friends whose schedules do not allow visits and participate in online groups through SHARE and Cancer Care.  Detanya’s wish has been granted!

Irene Schleissing is 32 years old, a mother of 2,  and a stage 4 colon cancer patient. Certain chemotherapy treatments made neuropathy in her hand so bad that she couldn’t use them, so they tried radiation and other chemo but it wasn’t working well. After a year, she went back to the original treatments but then had such a bad reaction that she went into anaphylactic shock and almost didn’t make it. After trying other treatments that didn’t work, she is hoping to participate in a clinical trial of another.

Meanwhile, Irene wished to take her family to Universal Studios in Orlando “to make memories that will last longer than our time together.”

Irene’s wish has been granted and she will travel with her husband and two daughters to Universal Studios in Florida.

Deanna Habasek was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer and also has cancer in her brain. She has undergone chemo and radiation. Sadly, the lesions in her brain have increased. A couple months ago, she was told to “prepare” and that she had 4-5 months to enjoy on earth. She called her aunt the other day, very sad and crying.  Deanna would like to take her daughter and grandkids on a “family vacation”, something she has never been able to do or provide for. She wants to create memories for her daughter and two grandsons to remember her by.

Deanna’s family was able surprise her on her birthday with a granted wish – transportation and accommodations for Deanna, her daughter and two grandchildren so they could visit Wisconsin Dells with other family members who will provide for themselves.

Sue Anderson is a grandma and great-grandma and wished to see her grandkids one last time. She needs her daughter to help her fly out to Colorado as travel is virtually impossible for her.

Stella’s Wish Foundation has granted Sue’s wish and will provide airline tickets for Sue and her daughter to get to Colorado.

Santos Valdez’ wish was to meet two Dallas Cowboys football players at their Dallas practice facility.  His wish was granted and he was able to meet Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott along with his family.

“We cannot being to express our gratitude for the life experience you blessed our family with. Uncle Santos was on top of the world for having the chance to meet the Dallas Cowboys! The signed football was his greatest treasure, he made sure that it stayed with him in his room to show it off!! On April 28th at 3:03 am, he went to be with the Lord. This was only 10 days after you granted his wish and the wish of my husband and kids all at once. We still talk about that day, even daily. You impacted our lives in a way no one else has. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are forever grateful and pray God blesses you in a special way, today and always!” – Santos’ family

 

Tara is “the heart of our huge, extended family and clan of cousins, numbering 17, scattered across the United States, but close in every other way”.

One of her cousins describes her as “a beautiful soul who loves without judgement and cares beyond measure. Tara always looked for ways to help and never to hurt and will leave behind no enemies — something very few people can say”.

In September of 2018, Tara was diagnosed with serous carcinoma stage 4 cancer. She began her battle with a positive attitude and a huge support system, facing down chemotherapy and a major surgery in December. In March of 2019, she learned the cancer has returned and is growing at a very rapid pace and her family has only have months left with her. They are attempting to enjoy every minute left of her kind spirit and are hoping to have a weekend family gathering for Tara to celebrate her. The family has gathered every 5 years for reunions, often at Crooked Creek Christian Camp in Iowa and these reunions have always been Tara’s “holidays” because she worked in retail for so much of her life.

Tara’s family has invited friends and family from across the nation to come and spend the weekend with Tara. They also plan to Skype with friends and co-workers from her home in Washington.

Their wish has been granted and Stella’s Wish Foundation will help with the funding of their family reunion at Crooked Creek Christian Camp.

We are all terminal; most of us don’t know the day or the hour. Tara knows it’s soon. In our close family, we know we have to send her on with love. With this celebration we will have the chance to tell our dear cousin, “Thank you and goodbye for now.” – Tara’s cousin

Lisa Crocker was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma cancer on her adrenal gland and it spread to her liver and lungs….just before Christmas.  No words can describe the heart sinking feeling when the doctor says that not only is this very rare, it’s uncurable.  Her family doesn’t know how long they will have her in our lives….even though Lisa has been a fighter most of her life… she took this news saying “I’m going to fight!!”  She has had three months of chemo and target medication so far with more to come, along with radiation.

Her sister Victoria says that Lisa never complains, she always sees the good in everything and is truly a sweetheart.   Her other sister, Beth, and niece, Hannah, have been taking Lisa to all her doctor appointments and treatments, answering phone calls, cleaning her house, making meals, shopping, and have been there emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Hanna makes Lisa laugh and that’s so important!

Lisa’s sister Victoria wished that SWF would send the three of them to a place Lisa has wanted to go to: the Bay Shore Inn at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Lisa would be able to see the sunsets from the balcony, have coffee on the balcony looking at the water, feel the water’s breeze, sit on the beach, swim in the pool, have a campfire, etc. everything Lisa dreams about!

Victoria’s wish is being granted and Lisa will stay at the Bay Shore Inn at Sturgeon Bay with her other sister and niece, with time to relax and talk with family.

Lisa was surprised when she received a gift card and a new Bible for her upcoming trip.