06/16/2021
https://gofund.me/8cf1d1f1
It pains me to type this...
My beautiful girlfriend, Jillian Schlueter, has been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 26.
Jillian is the type of person that lights up the room as soon as she walks in. Her smile is contagious and her positive energy flows throughout. She is a free-spirit and the sunshine you need on a cloudy day.
This wonderful young woman is a caregiver by nature. She is always putting her family and friends first, comforting them during hard times, and truly blessing all of us with her positive outlook on life. Jillian would care for every person (and animal) in the world if she could, that’s just the type of person she is. She is a superhero.
Last week, Jillian completed nursing school at Rutgers University, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her family and close friends witnessed the hard work, dedication, and time she spent each day studying and mastering the art of nursing.
Recently, she told me: “I have a strong purpose in this life, I’m not done yet... I have countless patients to take care of. But first, I need to be my own patient. Having cancer will make me a stronger Nurse, and I will understand what it’s truly like to be a patient.”
Jillian is heartbroken that she has to postpone her dream of getting a job as a RN. She understands her main priority is battling stage 3 breast cancer. Despite the hardship, she has already set her mind to continue studying for the NCLEX (State Boards Exam for RN’s). This shows her strength and determination.
It is going to be a long and difficult journey. She will be going through 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy sessions, as well as radiation. In addition, she will be undergoing a bilateral mastectomy, removal of her malignant lymph nodes, and starting a 5-10 year medication regimen. Not to mention, the countless doctors appointments and tests that have already begun (MRI’s, CT scans, bone scans, ultrasounds, and bloodwork). But, with the support from all of you, I know she can defeat this horrible disease. Jillian is a badass, a go-getter, someone you want in your corner because you know she’ll be there for you.
We are asking for your help during this gut-wrenching time. Life will be taking an extreme turn for our family and close friends. Medical bills will begin to pile up and we need to act quickly as her form of breast cancer is very aggressive.
Jillian and I want to have a family of our own one day. But, we cannot do that without the fertility part of this process. The fertility (egg harvesting) is not covered by insurance and will cost over $20,000. This 26 year old young woman is being told she cannot have children without this process. The chemotherapy will cause permeant damage to her ovaries. The only way that we can have a family one day is if we harvest her eggs now, before chemotherapy begins.
I wish I could take this pain away from her. If you cannot donate at this time, you can help by sharing this link. Please pray for Jillian, our family, and friends.
She is a fighter, and she will win.
We love you all. Thank you.
- Ryan Costello
It pains me to type this... My beautiful girlfriend, Jillian Schlueter, has been diagnosed wi… Ryan Costello needs your support for Help Jillian Beat Cancer