Christy Jo's Fight Against Cancer

As many of you know, my twin sister, Christy Jo Arneson-Hanson, was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. It's hard to believe it was only just mid-August, when I got a call from Christy; she had just finished mowing the lawn, and nonchalantly mentioned some minor pain she was experiencing  in her lower right abdomen. 

She scheduled a doctor's appointment, which was convenient as she works at Allina.

After having an x-ray and ultrasound to rule out an ovarian cyst, an abdominal CT scan was performed. Christy received a call reporting that the CT scan showed a 7-8 cm thickening in the wall of her colon and that her hemoglobin was an 8 (normal 12-14). 

Two days later, she had a colonoscopy. Following the procedure and biopsy, she was given the devastating news that the mass was...cancer. Additionally, the abdominal CT scan showed a suspicious spot on her liver. A biopsy and MRI of her liver confirmed that the cancer had spread from her colon to her liver, and she was given the diagnosis - Stage 4 cancer.  

Our family is still somewhat in a state of shock and disbelief.  How could this happen to Christy?  She is the epitome of health - she eats well, runs, works out daily, maintains a healthy life-work balance, how can this be? 

As the reality sinks in, we are optimistic because we all know that Christy is one UNBELIVEABLY tough and determined woman, and we have no doubt that she will fight this evil cancer, head on and ferociously! 
Additionally, we know that she is working with the best doctors and receiving the greatest care imaginable.  

A couple weeks ago, Christy needed to take a medical leave from work as she tackles the plan set forth by her healthcare team - chemo, surgery, and more chemo.  In all, she will be out of work for 6-8 months or longer, and, as you can imagine, the medical bills have already started and will continue to pile up.  

As Christy struggles physically and emotionally through chemo and cancer, the one thing I feel that I and others can help with, is her financial well-being and sense of security that her mortgage will be paid and that she, her husband, Tommy, and their boys, Liam, Dylan and Walter, can continue to live each day as normally as possible, given the life-altering situation they are facing.

During the last few weeks, we've been asking for your prayers, and we thank you all for the many you've sent. Please keep sending them! Now, I am asking you to please donate anything you can to help with Christy's mounting medical bills...even $10 per person can help us reach this goal - to alleviate her of the financial stress her family is facing. 

Thank you for your many prayers, thoughts and donations!  - Dana Arneson Cudd and family