Boston2Texas - Help Mom Beat Cancer
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Hi Friends and Family! Thanks for stopping by to read Mom’s story. We started this site to help my parents raise money for a move from Boston to Texas and to help with Mom’s mounting medical bills. They are going on two years of this journey dealing first with breast cancer and now also with brain cancer. Dad has had to rush through an unexpected early retirement, making the next few months financially uncertain.
Mom has taught us that beating cancer is so much more than physical healing. From day one Mom refused to let the doctors tell her a “stage” because she refused to be defined by medical terms! She has been strong, graceful, and patient. Mom has done such a good job at “beating cancer” every day by not letting it define her life. But it’s getting harder now that Mom can’t walk unassisted, has very limited vision, and can’t be left alone.
Help us get Mom and Dad to Texas where she can be surrounded by family and friends!!! We pray that they can make this move within the next month so they can finally have the happiness and support they deserve.
We are asking for your help in ANY way you can:
1) Monetary Donation (through GO FUND ME)
2) Other donations (gift cards, air miles, etc.)
3) RE-POST to Spread the Word
4) PRAYER and encouraging comments for Mom!!!!!!
MOM’S STORY:
In August of 2012 Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She went through several months of chemotherapy, had a mastectomy in January 2013, and then had to endure over 30 radiation treatments. In February things started looking up. Mom was SO happy when she posted this on Valentine’s Day 2013:
“My Dr. appointment went great…..Both scans came back perfect….”
Mom was looking forward to getting back to a “new normal” after cancer. In May, just three short months later, Mom started having some issues with her vision. We were devastated to find out that the cancer had metastasized to Mom’s brain. The brain tumor was pressing on the optic nerve at the brain stem leaving Mom with severe double vision and also making surgery out of the question. Mom began oral chemotherapy and a round of full head radiation.
Once again, we were so encouraged when the tumor responded positively to the treatments. The brain tumor shrank significantly. Mom’s vision returned to normal and the doctors said that the tiny remaining mass was most likely dead tissue.
Mom was such a champ throughout all the treatments. She kept a positive attitude, sense of humor, and resolve. Our family surname is "Diamond" and Mom definitely portrayed what it means to "Shine Like a Diamond" and to be "Diamond Tough"!!!
Her Texas grandkids (and all the rest of the Texas family) were all so excited when she got to make her annual Christmas trip to the Lone Star State. It's something we look forward to every year and she had to skip the year before because of her treatments. During her visit she was tired a lot, and she couldn't do as much as usual, but we all enjoyed spending time together.
Last February Mom had a follow up brain MRI and “everything looked great”. In March Mom starting having vision problems again, we just could not believe it! She was beside herself. A bunch of doctor visits confirmed what we feared; the tumor had grown back. Mom was again told an operation was impossible because of its location at the brain stem.
Because Mom had already received a round of full head radiation, it’s not possible to do full head radiation again (the brain can only take so much radiation). So they were only able to radiate a smaller, more exact portion of Mom’s head for 15 treatments with a less powerful dose. It's important to shrink the tumor because it is pressing on her brain, without wreaking havoc on other functions.
Unfortunately, the tumor has not responded so favorably to treatment this time. Dad has had to expedite the early retirement process. Mom and Dad live in a 3rd floor apartment with no elevator. An ambulance is needed to transport Mom to and from all her appointments because she is unable to navigate the stairs. Mom can't be left alone because of her vision and balance issues. Dad isn't old enough for a full retirement and Mom doesn't qualify for social security benefits, because she has always been a stay at home mom. They are trying to figure out income, health insurance, and living situation, and how to live this "new normal".
Thank you for reading our story. Thank you to all our friends and family who have helped. Leave an encouraging comment for our Bright Diamond and her rock of a husband!!!
We love you guys!
The Girls...xoxoxoxox
Mom has taught us that beating cancer is so much more than physical healing. From day one Mom refused to let the doctors tell her a “stage” because she refused to be defined by medical terms! She has been strong, graceful, and patient. Mom has done such a good job at “beating cancer” every day by not letting it define her life. But it’s getting harder now that Mom can’t walk unassisted, has very limited vision, and can’t be left alone.
Help us get Mom and Dad to Texas where she can be surrounded by family and friends!!! We pray that they can make this move within the next month so they can finally have the happiness and support they deserve.
We are asking for your help in ANY way you can:
1) Monetary Donation (through GO FUND ME)
2) Other donations (gift cards, air miles, etc.)
3) RE-POST to Spread the Word
4) PRAYER and encouraging comments for Mom!!!!!!
MOM’S STORY:
In August of 2012 Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She went through several months of chemotherapy, had a mastectomy in January 2013, and then had to endure over 30 radiation treatments. In February things started looking up. Mom was SO happy when she posted this on Valentine’s Day 2013:
“My Dr. appointment went great…..Both scans came back perfect….”
Mom was looking forward to getting back to a “new normal” after cancer. In May, just three short months later, Mom started having some issues with her vision. We were devastated to find out that the cancer had metastasized to Mom’s brain. The brain tumor was pressing on the optic nerve at the brain stem leaving Mom with severe double vision and also making surgery out of the question. Mom began oral chemotherapy and a round of full head radiation.
Once again, we were so encouraged when the tumor responded positively to the treatments. The brain tumor shrank significantly. Mom’s vision returned to normal and the doctors said that the tiny remaining mass was most likely dead tissue.
Mom was such a champ throughout all the treatments. She kept a positive attitude, sense of humor, and resolve. Our family surname is "Diamond" and Mom definitely portrayed what it means to "Shine Like a Diamond" and to be "Diamond Tough"!!!
Her Texas grandkids (and all the rest of the Texas family) were all so excited when she got to make her annual Christmas trip to the Lone Star State. It's something we look forward to every year and she had to skip the year before because of her treatments. During her visit she was tired a lot, and she couldn't do as much as usual, but we all enjoyed spending time together.
Last February Mom had a follow up brain MRI and “everything looked great”. In March Mom starting having vision problems again, we just could not believe it! She was beside herself. A bunch of doctor visits confirmed what we feared; the tumor had grown back. Mom was again told an operation was impossible because of its location at the brain stem.
Because Mom had already received a round of full head radiation, it’s not possible to do full head radiation again (the brain can only take so much radiation). So they were only able to radiate a smaller, more exact portion of Mom’s head for 15 treatments with a less powerful dose. It's important to shrink the tumor because it is pressing on her brain, without wreaking havoc on other functions.
Unfortunately, the tumor has not responded so favorably to treatment this time. Dad has had to expedite the early retirement process. Mom and Dad live in a 3rd floor apartment with no elevator. An ambulance is needed to transport Mom to and from all her appointments because she is unable to navigate the stairs. Mom can't be left alone because of her vision and balance issues. Dad isn't old enough for a full retirement and Mom doesn't qualify for social security benefits, because she has always been a stay at home mom. They are trying to figure out income, health insurance, and living situation, and how to live this "new normal".
Thank you for reading our story. Thank you to all our friends and family who have helped. Leave an encouraging comment for our Bright Diamond and her rock of a husband!!!
We love you guys!
The Girls...xoxoxoxox
Organizer
Michelle McDaniel
Organizer
San Antonio, TX
