THANK YOU
Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my amazing mom and her battle, thus far, with stage 4, terminal, metastatic, pancreatic cancer. I am already overwhelmed with gratitude at the thought that you might even consider donating.
THE STORY
As many of you know, and for those who don't know, my mom, Jamelee Plavec, is a REAL LIFE HERO! I'm not kidding...she's a HERO! Here's why:
Growing up, I witnessed my mom give her unconditional love, time, resources, and even on occasion, a room in our home to a person in need whether it was a family member, a friend, a friend of a friend, or a neighbor.
My mom would give her last dollar to someone if it meant that person could put enough gas into their car to get to work and back that day. Countless times I saw her answer her phone and run out of the house to help someone in need; whether they were stranded on the side of the road with a broken down car, or needing to be picked up and rescued from a dangerous situation. It didn't matter where they were or what they needed, she just...WENT.
Over the years, I heard my mom spending hours counseling people at the kitchen table; morning, noon, or night. Even if she was exhausted, she made time to sit and listen. Sometimes she would offer a loving hug and encouraging words, but most often she would pull out her very worn, and well loved Bible and read scripture to whoever was sitting on the other side of the table. She knew that Jesus was and is the only true source of lasting comfort, so she was passionate about sharing that truth with those who were suffering.
For 25 years my mom served as a church secretary. Several times over those years she answered the phone and found that the person on the other line was suicidal. Without a thought, she would immediately begin praying with and for that person who was lost in their deepest, and darkest moment. One time, she spent HOURS talking with a person who was suicidal, while secretly contacting the local police and a pastor in the persons hometown. She stayed on the phone until they arrived, and the man was helped. HERO.
Experiencing and sharing the pure love, hope and joy found only in Christ is what my mom lives for...literally. Jesus is her EVERYTHING. Whatever she does and says is for HIM. Because of this, my mom has led countless Bible studies out of her home, or in a church setting. Sometimes it was with only one or two people, other times it was with a large group. She was always open, willing, and did whatever God asked of her in order to introduce people to Jesus.
For years, my mom regularily drove neighborhood kids to school, after school functions, sports practices and events when their parents were unable to. She babysat whenever she could for moms who needed help. And, when friends of hers were overwhelmed with life she'd stop over to help them do their dishes or laundry.
In 2002 I ended up in the hospital due to a life threatening situation and needed emergency surgery. I was in the hospital for over a week. My mom worked it out so that others (one of the rare times she actually asked for help) took care of her duties at home and at work so that she could sit in my room, next to my bed for 14 hours a day, 7 days straight. I will NEVER forget that. When she walked in that hospital room in the morning, no matter how much pain I was in, all was well. I love you mom.
(Here's a couple pictures of mom and I from mothers day last year. The wind was not cooperating, lol!) 
In 2005, when my little brother, Anthony (18), was killed in a car accident, my mom committed and promised to God that even in this, the worst and most painful thing she'd ever experienced, she would choose to honor, glorify, and point everyone to the one, true God and ultimate healer. For the last 12 years, she has done just that. She's been actively using what she learned through her experience to comfort and counsel others who have tragically lost a child.
(This is my dear, little brother Anthony.)
Not too long ago, a dear friend and neighbor of mom's was in the dying process for a year. EVERY morning that year, my mom went to her house to visit and pray with her. When this dear friend passed away, my mom poured into the son and daughter that were left behind, offering them love, support, and friendship. A few years after the mom passed away, the son also died in a tragic accident. He was 18, just like my brother. This incident, for my mom, was like reliving my brothers death all over. Rather than fleeing and staying away, my mom immediately leaned in and helped. She knew that God had allowed her to walk through the death of HER own son SO THAT she could be there for this family, at that exact moment.
There are so many more stories like this about my mom, I could go on and on. Like I said, she's a HERO!
And as for her kids, (me, my brothers Eric & Anthony, and my sister Amber) well...she sacrificed and gave of herself in UNBELIEVABLE ways. There were times when she worked two or three jobs to help put food on the table, and buy us a few new pieces of clothing for the next school year. I can't even begin to tell you how grateful and thankful I am for everything that she did for us. But, I CAN tell you the two most important things that she taught us. Without question:
1. LOVE the LORD YOUR GOD with ALL your heart
2. LOVE and SERVE others.
Now I HAVE to talk about my step-dad Tony a bit. Oftentimes, mom did much of the above on her own, but more often than not, Tony was right there with her. He would drive her, in the middle of the night, to pick up someone in need, he said yes everytime mom asked if someone could stay in their home for a day, a week, or however long it would take for them to get back on their two feet, he would surprise mom by opening his wallet and give her his paycheck so she could cash it and bless someone with it (even though they themselves were struggling), and he co-led many group Biblestudies with mom. The two of them, Mom and Tony, were and ARE quite the dynamic duo. :-) 
As the years went by, my moms love and committment to serving others and God only grew. However, she's a bit older and a bit slower now, lol, but she's just as committed as she ever was. I still see her talking with people at her kitchen table all the time, counseling people over the phone, taking classes at church, and volunteering wherever she can. And of course now, instead of the neighborhood kids, she's driving her 6 grandchildren all over town, lol. 
Then, and very suddenly, everything changed...
THE DIAGNOSIS
In March of 2017 my beloved mother, hero, spiritual and life mentor, and dear friend, Jamelee (Jamie) Plavec, was diagnosed with stage 4, terminal, metastatic, pancreatic cancer. My heart BROKE.
The cancer was discovered after she went in for some tests after three weeks of severe fatigue. And if you know my mom, she's ALWAYS on the go, lol! So her being tired all of the time was definitely a red flag that something was wrong. She went in for testing and it was revealed that she had a tennis ball size, malignant tumor on her pancreas. We also discovered that the cancer had spread; there were spots of metastatic pancreatic cancer on both her liver and lung. 
Prognosis, prior to chemo, was a life expectancy of 1 to 3 months. When I heard this news I was so heartbroken that I couldn't get out of bed for three days. However, after three chemotherapy treatments, her numbers improved and her oncologist changed her life expectancy to at least 6 months!
While that news is wonderful, we have been told that there is no cure, and no real hope for remission, just prolonging my mom's life and helping her live out her remaining days as comfortable and as pain free as possible.
This diagnosis is beyond devastating to my family but we are all clinging to God's promise of peace, blessings, and provision. Above all, we are trusting HIM and resting in HIS hands. My mom is constantly thanking God for His goodness and sees how He is abundantly blessing her through this incredibly difficult time. And just recently Tony posted this on facebook:
"Wow. God is good!! We are blessed beyond belief. I know some of you are probably thinking how could you say that given Jamie's Diagnosis and everything that is happening. But it is because of all this that I feel closer to God than ever before. He is always there by our side. He takes care of all our needs, not necessarily all our wants. He knows whats best for us. And he uses the people closest to us to accomplish his will. This is why I am ok with facing a future without my best friend here on earth. I will still have my Heavenly father and he will never leave me."
While both mom and Tony have placed ALL of their trust in God, believe that God is sovereign, and that He works everything together for good...they are still struggling emotionally and physically with all of the challenges this situation poses.
My mom struggles everyday with almost constant nausea, fatigue and pain. As a result, she cannot work. Losing her salary meant that they could no longer keep their home. Last week they sold their home and purchased a much smaller condo that is more manageable for them. Sadly, the condo does not allow pets so they had to adopt out their two furry, and very cherished children; their dog Oaklee, and their cat Pumpkin. Saying goodbye to them was heartbreaking for both mom and Tony.
Then, on May 8th, tragedy struck again. My step-dad Tony's much loved mother, Joan, passed away from complications from diabetes. :-(
SO much pain, sadness, and hardship. While they are staying strong and keeping their eyes focused on God and His eternal plan, Mom and Tony are still suffering deeply.
GoFundMe DONATION INFO:
Even though my mom was a true helper and a servant, she was never really that comfortable with RECEIVING help. In her mind, her problems were always less than other people's problems so she never want to "receive" when others needed it more. BUT, the time has come where my mom NEEDS to recieve. (Whether she likes it or not, lol!)
I decided to start this GoFundMe page not only to bless my mom and Tony, but to also provide a way for you guys to help. MANY of you have reached out and said that you really want to help mom; but don't know how. I thought this would be great (and much needed) way for you all to help! While she has many, many physical needs, she also has financial needs (medical and moving expenses) as well.
In addition to medical and moving expenses, your donations will go towards a VERY SPECIAL GIFT for mom and Tony! I'm so excited to tell you about it!
Mom and Tony close on their house and the condo on Friday, June 9th. We, their kids and spouses, have reserved a suite at the Hampton from Thursday, June 8th all the way to Friday, June 16th. We want them to be completely worry free, and livin' it up while we (the kids) take care of everything. They deserve this!
While they are enjoying precious time with each other, the hot tub, and the yummy continental breakfasts, lol, we (family and friends) will be moving all of their things into storage, painting, cleaning, cleaning the carpets at the new condo, and then completely moving them in!
It is our dream that they will go from signing the closing documents, to a week long vacation of rest and relaxation at the Hampton, to walking through the door of their new finished home! Will you help make that dream come true?!?!
Your donations will contribute towards these three main things:
1. Medical expenses
2. Moving expenses (painting, carpet cleaning, ect.)
3. Their week long stay at the Hampton
*(By the way, I need to give Amanda Hansen, the Manager at the Hampton, a HUGE thank you! She bent over backwards to make sure that my mom and Tony will be well taken care of, and will really enjoy their stay. THANK YOU!)
So mom...guess what...you're gonna have to be okay with RECEIVING this time, lol. You've given to OTHERS your whole life long, now let us give back to YOU!
If you are unable to donate, you can still help! PRAYER is perhaps more important than anything, and we NEED it!
Here are some specific things you can pray for:
1. Peace, strength, perseverance, guidance, long suffering, and for our family to honor and glorify God in every single minute of this difficult journey He is asking us to walk through.
2. Mom and Tony close on both their home and new condo on June 9th. Please pray that both closings go smoothly.
3. Especially pray for Tony. Not only is he having to cope with moms cancer and the prospect of losing her, he is now also having to deal with the death of his mother.
4. Pray that God will give mom the strength to endure the pain that will only get worse and worse until He calls her home.
5. Pray that we, her close friends and family, will know how to anticipate her needs and will be able provide them for her.
To everyone who reads this and considers donating...
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.
Karen Carlson
(Jamie's daughter and Tony's stepdaughter)