Christine's Cancer Fund
Donation protected
A few years ago my mother went to the doctor with a growth in her genital area. She was initially diagnosed with a chronic skin condition called lichen schlerosus. This is generally just causes some skin legions and discomfort. Individuals with lichen schlerosus have only a 5% chance of the condition turning into cancer, my mother is in that 5%.
Since being diagnosed with vulvar cancer she has undergone 6 surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. In 2018, she was also diagnosed with lung cancer. Between the 2 different types of cancer she has lost the lymph nodes near her lungs and groin area, 1/3 of her right lung, and the skin in her groin area is burned and almost dead from all of the radiation. She will be going in for her next and hopefully final surgery on September 19th of this year.
In June of this year she had her latest surgery to remove a few spots of cancer that had grown again. After the surgery she recovered fairly well and then contracted a yeast infection. It was at this point that the tables turned and she took a turn for the worst. The pain became so intense in 2 weeks that we scheduled an appointment with her doctor and they sent her to the wound clinic in Indianapolis. It was at this appointment that the doctor discovered 4-5 tumors growing in the area. It had become inflamed and we could see that the irradiated skin was not healing well.
After another appointment 1.5 weeks later with her primary surgeon we discovered that the tumors had grown and multiplied to essentially cover the area. It was decided that she should go through a total pelvic exenteration. This surgery is the removal of her bladder, colon, and all reproductive organs along with the addition of a urostomy and colostomy bags. Also, because of the extensive damage to the skin, she will be getting as much of the irradiated skin as possible replaced. She also will be getting a tummy tuck as she has lost a considerable amount of weight during this journey to try and starve the cancer and the excess skin does not allow the area to heal properly.
This is a life altering and high risk surgery. She will be in the operating room for 9 - 9.5 hours. Her doctors are confident that she has the strength to get through this.
During this time she has been unable to work full time and does not have short term or long term disability through her insurance. There have been a lot of people at her work that have graciously donated their vacation time to help her and my father through this dark time. My father is also unable to work and this has been verified through his doctor. At this time they have no income or ways to pay bills. All of the children have come together to help pay for food and essential bills, but we are running out of cash options.
Currently, we have applied for and have been granted food stamps. We are applying for assistance through the city township and have received assistance for one month, but it did not cover all the bills. We have shut off all non essential items. We are applying for energy assistance when it opens in october. We also are helping both of my parents apply for retirement and disability. Both of the last options will take time to come through.
We are looking for help to pay the rent and keep the utilities running until we can get something permanent put into place and until then will be looking into other housing options and any ideas on how to keep them from losing their place of residence that they rent currently.
If there is any way that you can help our family it would be so very appreciated. Our parents have worked their whole lives to help us. Our mother gives so sacrificially to those around her who need help. She is always talking about the people she helps with her job at the VA and is so very proud (with reason) of the things she has helped make happen such as the Veterans Day Parade that is put on every year at the Marion VA. When we have been down and unable to make it in life financially and emotionally, she has been there to lift us up. Now it is our turn and we have come to a point where we can do little more where a lot more is needed. Please help us.
Thank you for your time reading this and for anything you can give us, whether it be money, prayers, or ideas. God Bless.
Since being diagnosed with vulvar cancer she has undergone 6 surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. In 2018, she was also diagnosed with lung cancer. Between the 2 different types of cancer she has lost the lymph nodes near her lungs and groin area, 1/3 of her right lung, and the skin in her groin area is burned and almost dead from all of the radiation. She will be going in for her next and hopefully final surgery on September 19th of this year.
In June of this year she had her latest surgery to remove a few spots of cancer that had grown again. After the surgery she recovered fairly well and then contracted a yeast infection. It was at this point that the tables turned and she took a turn for the worst. The pain became so intense in 2 weeks that we scheduled an appointment with her doctor and they sent her to the wound clinic in Indianapolis. It was at this appointment that the doctor discovered 4-5 tumors growing in the area. It had become inflamed and we could see that the irradiated skin was not healing well.
After another appointment 1.5 weeks later with her primary surgeon we discovered that the tumors had grown and multiplied to essentially cover the area. It was decided that she should go through a total pelvic exenteration. This surgery is the removal of her bladder, colon, and all reproductive organs along with the addition of a urostomy and colostomy bags. Also, because of the extensive damage to the skin, she will be getting as much of the irradiated skin as possible replaced. She also will be getting a tummy tuck as she has lost a considerable amount of weight during this journey to try and starve the cancer and the excess skin does not allow the area to heal properly.
This is a life altering and high risk surgery. She will be in the operating room for 9 - 9.5 hours. Her doctors are confident that she has the strength to get through this.
During this time she has been unable to work full time and does not have short term or long term disability through her insurance. There have been a lot of people at her work that have graciously donated their vacation time to help her and my father through this dark time. My father is also unable to work and this has been verified through his doctor. At this time they have no income or ways to pay bills. All of the children have come together to help pay for food and essential bills, but we are running out of cash options.
Currently, we have applied for and have been granted food stamps. We are applying for assistance through the city township and have received assistance for one month, but it did not cover all the bills. We have shut off all non essential items. We are applying for energy assistance when it opens in october. We also are helping both of my parents apply for retirement and disability. Both of the last options will take time to come through.
We are looking for help to pay the rent and keep the utilities running until we can get something permanent put into place and until then will be looking into other housing options and any ideas on how to keep them from losing their place of residence that they rent currently.
If there is any way that you can help our family it would be so very appreciated. Our parents have worked their whole lives to help us. Our mother gives so sacrificially to those around her who need help. She is always talking about the people she helps with her job at the VA and is so very proud (with reason) of the things she has helped make happen such as the Veterans Day Parade that is put on every year at the Marion VA. When we have been down and unable to make it in life financially and emotionally, she has been there to lift us up. Now it is our turn and we have come to a point where we can do little more where a lot more is needed. Please help us.
Thank you for your time reading this and for anything you can give us, whether it be money, prayers, or ideas. God Bless.
Organizer
Cathy Lugger
Organizer
Marion, IN