A years worth of living for Maria Perry

In March of this year our dear friend and coworker Maria Perry was given the terrible news that she has cancer. She was told it was in her lymph nodes, pancreas, stomach, liver, and lungs. While awaiting the results of a biopsy to diagnose the type of cancer, Maria’s condition rapidly declined to the point where she was rushed to Bay Area Hospital. She was admitted on Wednesday, April 3rd, and by that Friday she was told if they didn’t begin chemo immediately she may not live through the next week. That day she was moved to the oncology floor but during night her breathing became so labored she was moved into the ICU. By Saturday morning it became apparent that her needs could not longer be met by the resources at Bay Area Hospital so she was transferred that afternoon to OHSU where they were able to stabilize her condition enough that she could be transferred to the adult oncology floor. This is where she finally received the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Maria was then able to receive her first round of chemo therapy which unfortunately landed her back in ICU for several days. Luckily the chemo began to do what the doctors had hoped for, she was able to breathe easier and was moved back to oncology where she continued to mimprove over the next week. After 3 weeks of being in hospitals Maria finally reached a point where the doctors felt confident enough in her condition to send her home where she can live and continue her chemo therapy treatments at Bay Area Hospital.

    While Maria has been told this type of cancer is very responsive to treatment unfortunately her late diagnosis means it is unlikely the doctors will be able to cure her of it. With the tole it has taken on her body and the difficult process of chemo that lies ahead Maria will be unable to return to work at Lord Bennett’s restaurant where she has been employed for 11 years. Through all she has endured over the last couple months she has maintained a remarkably positive attitude, only focusing on the positives of her situation, which we believe is why she is still here with us. Her absence at Lord Bennett’s has been felt by the employees and patrons alike and many have expressed a desired to help. Speaking with Maria the only real wish she has is to stay in her home with her two dogs, Luke and Frankie, and her cat, Tom Tom, and maintain her independence as long as she possibly can. With this being her only wish it seems the best thing we can do is to help make this financially possible for her.    

    Fortunately Maria lives very simply and her monthly expenses are only about $350 so it won’t take much to provide her with some financial relief during this difficult time. She is not one to asked for help so this page has been created to inform her friends of her situation and provide a way for those who wish to help her in this particular way do so. We appreciate those of you who have sent well wishes, and continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers!

 If you would like to know more about this type of cancer a link to information has been provided below.

https://www.lymphoma.org/aboutlymphoma/nhl/dlbcl/