Lori's Fight Against EHE Cancer
Donation protected
On Monday June 20th, Our mom Lori was diagnosed with Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma - EHE. EHE is one of the rarest kinds of cancers, affecting less than .01% of all cancer patients. It is a vascular tumor or anomaly that's not widely understood because it is so uncommon. Less than 20 people in the United States are diagnosed with EHE each year.
In the month following the diagnosis, mom's health declined rapidly, and after waiting around for insurance and the medical record department to get everything figured out, we were told it was too late for the treatment they wanted to do and were told there was nothing else they could do for her. Duluth and the Mayo clinic both turned her down for chemo/radiation.
Several friends then gave us the number to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. After promptly reviewing her records they had us scheduled to come down to the Chicago area within a week, and that is where she is now.
They have already started treatment, and mom's breathing has begun to improve by leaps and bounds. We've had our setbacks as well, though. On Monday August 8th we nearly lost her due to the build up in her lungs, but an emergency procedure saved her life. This wouldn't have happened here at home. God's timing is everything.
Right now the plan is to do 3-4 weeks of chemo and radiation on the tumor on her spine and the large tumor in her lungs. Radiation is every week day, and chemo is for 3 hours once a week. She is on many new medications, is in need of emergency oxygen that insurance doesn't cover because she doesn't need it all of the time, and we need to have a caregiver with her at all times so that she doesn't overexert herself trying to get to her appointments. Plus having company is always nice, and we miss her, too!
Being away from home is definitely the hardest part for her, and us. She misses her kids, her grandbabies, her grandpuppies, and her things. Traveling back and forth is expensive and the scheudling is a mess with all of us having kids and jobs. We are making it work the best we can!
If you know our mom, you know she is the hardest worker, and would give the shirt off of her back for others. She has always gone above and beyond to help anyone in need. If you have any stories about our mom helping you or others, please feel free to share them here and give back if you can! Right now our mom needs our help financially, physically, and emotionally, and it would mean the world to us if you could show your support. It has been proven that stress accelerates cancer, and we don't want hospital bills and travel costs to add to the stress she is already feeling.
As always, Prayers are very much welcomed and appreciated because we know that God can do big things!
Thank you!
In the month following the diagnosis, mom's health declined rapidly, and after waiting around for insurance and the medical record department to get everything figured out, we were told it was too late for the treatment they wanted to do and were told there was nothing else they could do for her. Duluth and the Mayo clinic both turned her down for chemo/radiation.
Several friends then gave us the number to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. After promptly reviewing her records they had us scheduled to come down to the Chicago area within a week, and that is where she is now.
They have already started treatment, and mom's breathing has begun to improve by leaps and bounds. We've had our setbacks as well, though. On Monday August 8th we nearly lost her due to the build up in her lungs, but an emergency procedure saved her life. This wouldn't have happened here at home. God's timing is everything.
Right now the plan is to do 3-4 weeks of chemo and radiation on the tumor on her spine and the large tumor in her lungs. Radiation is every week day, and chemo is for 3 hours once a week. She is on many new medications, is in need of emergency oxygen that insurance doesn't cover because she doesn't need it all of the time, and we need to have a caregiver with her at all times so that she doesn't overexert herself trying to get to her appointments. Plus having company is always nice, and we miss her, too!
Being away from home is definitely the hardest part for her, and us. She misses her kids, her grandbabies, her grandpuppies, and her things. Traveling back and forth is expensive and the scheudling is a mess with all of us having kids and jobs. We are making it work the best we can!
If you know our mom, you know she is the hardest worker, and would give the shirt off of her back for others. She has always gone above and beyond to help anyone in need. If you have any stories about our mom helping you or others, please feel free to share them here and give back if you can! Right now our mom needs our help financially, physically, and emotionally, and it would mean the world to us if you could show your support. It has been proven that stress accelerates cancer, and we don't want hospital bills and travel costs to add to the stress she is already feeling.
As always, Prayers are very much welcomed and appreciated because we know that God can do big things!
Thank you!
Organizer
Alicia Lee Hailey
Organizer
Superior, WI
