A Mother & Teacher Fighting Stage IV Cancer

Our beloved friend and sister, Jamila, has been diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. A group of her closest friends and I would like to share her journey from the beginning of her diagnosis to her current road to complete recovery.

In December 2019, Jamila visited an Emergency Room in Texas complaining of a terrible stomach ache. Sent away with the misdiagnosis of an ulcer, she doctored herself with over-the-counter medications. Although the pain subsided, the feelings of fullness and bloating continued through 2020. Dismissing it as dehydration and mild constipation, Jamila didn't challenge her previous diagnosis. During this time, Jamila was still proactive about her overall health. She attended her regular annual appointments. She thought she was in pretty good health.

 

On March 31st, 2021, Jamila experienced excruciating pain in her stomach. Thinking it was the ulcer flaring up, she was going to take the OTC meds that gave her temporary relief. This time was different, though. Her daughter urged her to go to the ER for additional screenings, tests, and observations. After being given a CT scan, she was told she had a tumor on her colon. It was cancer.

 

At that point, her cousin, an oncologist at MD Anderson in Houston, had her transferred to the University of Chicago Hospital to undergo emergency surgery for Stage III colon cancer. The tumor was removed, and the surgery was deemed successful. However, because the cancer was found in her lymph nodes, she underwent six months of chemotherapy to remove any residual cancer cells.

 

Slight fast forward - May 2022 - Jamila had a follow up scan to confirm the cancer was still at bay. Unfortunately, it wasn't. The cancer returned, and it was much more aggressive. Additionally, the cancer metastasized. It now has taken (temporary) residence in her colon, abdomen, and liver. It is considered Stage IV and terminal.

 

Although the doctor's diagnosis is grim, she is ready to fight! And, we are enlisting an army to stand with her!

 

A single mother of four and glam-ma to two, Jamila adores her family. They are truly her pride and joy. She wants to see her remaining two babies and oldest daughter walk across the stage with the degrees they are currently pursuing. The devastation of this diagnosis has affected them all greatly. But, in the spirit of hope and healing, they are girding up for this battle mentally and emotionally.

 

As an educator for 24 years, Jamila has touched the lives of countless students in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Texas. As “everyone’s favorite Spanish teacher,” it’s been her life’s joy to cultivate the minds of our future. She doesn't want it to end now. She will continue impacting, building, and pouring into thousands more.

 

As Jamila embarks on this medical journey again, she will pursue both conventional and holistic healing. Having endured 12 rounds of chemotherapy during her first battle, we know that this go-round will require even more of her in all facets.

 

As the out-of-pocket costs are quickly mounting, we have created this GoFundMe to aid in her cancer treatment, holistic therapies, nutritionists, travel, and loss of income.

 

We humbly ask you to join Jamila's army. Our friend, sister, mom, daughter and teacher...she is an irreplaceable dynamic woman. We all know she is a SUPERWOMAN, and she WILL beat this with your love, prayers, and support.

 

Please donate and share. No amount is too small. Thank you for supporting our Jamila.

 

#HelpJamilaFight

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