Here it is the beginning of February, 50 days after Chelsie was officially diagnosed with IBC.  In those 50 days so many have come together to stand strong with our dear friend Chelsie.  It is working....the prayers, the words of encouragement, the hugs,  the donations...it is all working.  

Last Monday, February 1, Chelsie received her 5th round of Chemo.  Overall, her treatments have been positive with very few hiccups for her.  Each week, she has her feet wrapped in cold booties and hands in cold mittens, which have seemed to help her not have any issues with neuropathy.  Chelsie will receive 12 rounds of chemo total (7 more) before returning to Houston for a status check of scans, tests, etc. to prepare for her next set of Chemo treatments that will be more aggressive before she has surgery and radiation this coming summer.  This week, Chelsie has experienced hair loss from her treatments.  In her fun motherly spirit, she let her 3 sweet girls play beauty shop....and a fine job they did on their mom's new cut!  During Chelsie's last visit, on Monday for her treatment, her oncologist that oversees her treatment here in Wyoming, asked to meet with her.  Of course, this made her nervous, but it was actually a blessing of information that she had to share with Chelsie.  The oncologist shared that Chelsie's bloodwork did not even look like someone's statistics that had been receiving Chemo.  At this point, a patient's white blood cell count is typically low enough that they would need to receive a shot that would boost the count back to normal, but her numbers are still in a normal range.  Her red blood cell counts and platelets also were very good.  Chelsie will confidently tell you "IT IS WORKING!"

If you know Chelsie in any capacity, you know what a selfless person she is.  She has continued to work through this point in her journey.   She has continued to give it her all as an educator to her 11 bonus blessings (her students) each day.  She takes her job very seriously, and plans to continue working as long as she can and as much as she can handle through this journey.  Each night, after working a full day, she goes home and in true Chelsie form gives 100% as a mom.  Her strength shows in her girls, and how they have continued to flourish in their every day lives.  

Over the last 50 days, there has been an abundance of generosity and support from so many people near and far.   A close family friend, Riley Hampton, quickly jumped on the opportunity to find a way to help support the overwhelming financial burden: medical bills, lodging,  and travel can put on a family.  Riley has had personal experience of this with his own son a few years ago, when he needed medical attention in Omaha as a brand new baby.  The Ron Materi Foundation helped Riley and his family out a great deal, and since that time it was placed on Riley's heart to pay it forward.  And that he did.  Riley worked tirelessly to put together, a beyond successful raffle of 3 different rifles, two 1/4 beefs, and 1/2 lamb.  Jen Womack, with Sagebrush Marketing jumped right on with Riley and got the raffle moving forward, and fast.  Riley was able to raise $16, 323 for Chelsie and her family.  A huge thank you to both Riley and Jen for all of their time and effort in putting this together.  

On top of the raffle, the staff and students at both Upton and Arveda/Clearmont schools sold paper hearts to display around our communities to show support for Chelsie and her family.  There also was an auction of baked good and Bobcat gear sold during halftime of the Upton/AC basketball games in mid January.  These two fundraisers were able to raise roughly around $3500.  This does not include all of the monetary donations that have been made to the Chelsie Todd Benefit Fund.  

Chelsie's brother Charlie, has also set up a Go Fund Me page for Chels....   
 https://gofund.me/f74a04d1

On February 20th, Roxanne Duarte is hosting a cornhole tournament, and I have included the flyer with information for that below.  There will also be a dinner/auction for Chelsie on May 8th.  We will post information on here soon with the details of that day.

Again, Chelsie and her family have been so grateful for all the generosity that people have shown in such a trying time.  I think that it shows what a special place Chelsie holds in so many hearts, by the overwhelming amount of support she has been shown in just the last 50 days.