My mother, Jenny Dygert, 63 years of age was recently diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic cancer (Breast and Bone cancer). She had previously had breast cancer in her right breast about 20 years ago and underwent radiation, chemo and a lumpectomy- and made it through it.  She never thought that she would be unlucky enough to receive it a second time, this time only WORSE.  The cancer is now in her left breast and had spread to her spine, neck (fractured her neck), ribs, her skull and the wall of her chest. In other words it is all over her bones and is extremely painful. This all started about 4 months ago when I got the call from my mom that she has the BIG C.  She had been telling me over the past couple years that she had been getting her mammograms but come to find out she had not, because again she didn't think it would strike her twice.  My mother has been very sick for about two years now and it all makes sense now.  We believe that she has been sick with cancer for a while. She used to call me every other day, but it got to the point where she wasn't calling me at all.  She has been in so much pain and mentioned if she had the option of driving to Oregon to take a euthanasia pill to end her life, she would.  When I heard that, I jumped in my car on June 13th and drove 9 hours from San Diego to Grass Valley to be by her side and have been here ever since (I have not seen my husband at all as we do not have the extra money for him to even visit for a weekend so I'm missing him terribly as well. I had no idea how bad off my mom was until I arrived.  She wasn't even willing to get a breast biopsy to find out what type of cancer she had.  I had convinced her to get that done and while we were there I mentioned to the Dr. that her breathing had diminished significantly and she had been gasping for air. He suggested getting her to the ER immediately.  Again, my mom not looking to take her health into her own hands looked for me for guidance.  Needless to say, I took her to the ER and she was admitted to the hospital for 25 days and is now on approximately 25 different med's and oxygen. The outside of her lungs keep filling up with cancerous fluid compacting her lungs to where she cannot breathe. I'm afraid that if I had not made the trip to Grass Valley when I did, that my mother would have passed from no oxygen. 

With all that said, my mom has agreed to give chemo a try and not give up quite yet.  As you can imagine, her medical bills, prescriptions and mortgage is out of control  That's just some.  She and my father are both disabled on social security and have a VERY small limited monthly income.  They barely have food to eat, it is that bad. To top it off, Citibank is raising their mortgage by $600.  They already have an extremely difficult time paying for their 1st and 2nd mortgage as it is, so  they willl now facing foreclosure.   My family is not one to ask for help in any monetary way, but we are desperate for any help we can get at this point. My mom would be appauled if she found out I've asked for help for her. I've taken time off work to help care for my mother, therfore my income has also declined as I am trying my best to help them financially as well.

A little about our mother: My mom was a real estate agent forseveral years before making a career change to work as as Home Health Aide  for 15 plus years for Sierra Nevada Home Health Care.  She loved her job, and the patient's. She enjoyed that she could come into the homes of the elderly who needed care and help by bathing them, cooking for them, checking their vitals, tracking their symptoms and administering their medication. She is the most caring, generous person and would give the shirt off her back to anyone.  If she had 10 or 20 $ to her name, she would donate it to the homeless.  That just shows the kind of heart my mother has always had.  She is a very selfless person.  She sees herself as being a burden, when in fact she is my mother and best friend.

Thank you for the support and anything you can do to help as our family truly appreciates it during this time.

Thank you in advance,



With Gratitude-

Jamie Thompson (Daugher)
Justin Dygert (Son)
David Dygert (Husband)
Shadow (Husky Dog) 
Rocco (Tabby Cat)