Stacy’s Story

Site created on July 16, 2018

Hello Everyone,

While some of you may already know, I’m sorry if I’m the one to tell you that our friend Stacy Manfredi has been diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma. 

Several years ago, Stacy had a lump on her back that tested positive for melanoma that was promptly removed. Two years later while pregnant with her first child, Colbie, the lump reappeared and was removed again. Her lymph nodes were tested, came back negative and it was determined that no further treatment was required. 

In May of 2017, Stacy gave birth to her second child, Domenic. Soon after, a trip to the emergency room for shortness of breath revealed a nodule on her lung. A PET scan was ordered, and doctors discovered that the melanoma had returned and spread in the form of a lump on her shoulder, two nodules on her lung, into her hip bone, and both breasts. She became virtually immobile for a short period due to the bone pain in her leg. She recently completed 10 rounds of radiation,which has helped tremendously with the pain. 

Stacy was scheduled to begin immunotherapy treatment immediately, but that was placed on hold for several weeks due to abnormally elevated liver enzymes. On December 29th, she finally began treatment despite that. Following the first treatment, she was in and out of the hospital due to experiencing severe side effects including high fevers and loss of vision. She was given prednisone to counter the side effects, but her oncologist was unsure if she would be able to continue treatment, which was devastating news. Thankfully, Stacy found out on January 8th that they will begin to taper the prednisone, and are hoping to resume treatment by January 22nd. Unfortunately, the oncologist warned Stacy that if she thought the side effects were bad the first time, she should prepare herself because they will continue to get worse with every treatment, and she has a long fight ahead of her. Little does that oncologist know that Stacy will have an army of people right by her side helping her fight this thing!

Stacy and her family need our help. Shortly after her diagnosis, she was told that she is no longer eligible for Family & Medical Leave, and her sick time was exhausted while on maternity leave following the birth of Domenic. This leaves Stacy with little to no income over the course of her treatment. She has been out of work for almost two months, apart from a half day here and there when she is able. Co-workers have offered to donate their own sick time, but her place of employment will not allow this assistance. It has been a struggle for Stacy to concentrate on her care due to her financial burdens increasing under this unfair system. Stacy, Kelley, Colbie and Domenic are going to need the help and support of family, friends, and members of the community. Their bills are mounting and I am hoping we can relieve some of the burden and help her get past this so she and Kelley can raise their children and watch them grow into the amazing adults they are sure to become. 

I picked up Colbie from daycare the other day and she was singing in the backseat, “Mommy have boo-boo. Doctor fix Mommy” over and over again. She’s right. Mommy does have a boo-boo, and the doctor WILL fix her. I’m asking you to be a part of the team that helps give her the strength to fight back.



Newest Update

6 Years and Counting

Journal entry by Stacy Manfredi —

Wow, it is amazing to be able to say that. 13 days ago was my 6th year Cancerversary. Not only did I have my diagnosis 6 years ago, but I also have been out of treatment for over 3 years. J

The past few months have been a little rough. Along with some personal stuff I have had some random ailments. It started with some GI issues. After being seen I was on some meds for it. Felt better until I was done taking them. At that point it got much worse. Back to my doctor. Got another prescription and a referral to GI. Meds seemed to help some of the pain and discomfort but then I started to get headaches, vertigo, and other pressure in my chest. Of course the earliest appointment for the GI wasn’t until mid-December. I called my doctor back and they said they would call to see if they could get me in earlier. I called Smilow as well and they wanted to see my in their ECC (Extended Care Clinic). Because of my history and the new headaches and vertigo they did my Brain MRI early, some blood work, and other tests. Everything looked good.

I got a call from the GI office and was able to get in earlier. When I went in they told me to stop taking the prescription I was on and go back on the other I was on previously. They also set up an appointment for an endoscopy. The next day I felt much better and the symptoms subsided. So now I wonder if it was the meds (which I have taken before several times) or coincidence. Needless to say, I have been feeling much better in that aspect of things.

Finally, not having to deal with any of that GI stuff I then got my next ailment. Two updates ago I mentioned having to see an ophthalmologist for an issue they noticed on my brain MRI and for issues I was having with my tear duct. I saw one and was given a prescription for some eye drops. The pain and swelling went down. So now, I am dealing with the swelling and tenderness again. Went back to the ophthalmologist and was given the eye drop again. It has gotten a little better but still bothersome.

This brings me to my CT Scans, bloodwork, and appointment with my oncologist. Everything still looks great. J I met with the nurse and she suggested to reach out to the ophthalmologist regarding the “lesion in the left nasolacrimal canal” that is still showing on the MRI that she was able to see and feel. She thinks I may need surgery to have it removed. With my oncologist I discussed the GI issues I have been having and she alluded to the fact it may be from my past treatment. She said to follow up with them after the endoscopy if there was anything they needed to know. So again, besides these “normal” issues everything is still great. I have my next scans and appointments in March 2024.

On a more exciting note, rather than listening about all my annoying ailments… The Chaplin that organized the stories of patients in a book and the virtual book readings reached out to me regarding another project she was working on. She has now started a podcast (link below). She asked for me to do an episode. I didn’t mind reading my story but was super nervous about just talking in general, especially about myself. We recorded it a couple of weeks ago. So I am anxiously waiting to hear it. I don’t think it will be published until Spring 2024, but there are other amazing episodes, so if you have time, take a listen.

 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-midst-of-it-all/id1684561596

Read More of the journal titled "6 Years and Counting"
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