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The day after Merilee lost her job, she and Gabriel went to see her oncologist for CT test results. It had been seven years since her last cancer, but still, there’s always a pit in her stomach when getting these results. The oncologist said, “there’s something in your lung and it looks like it’s growing.”

 

 

As a child Merilee was so healthy that she rarely even had a cold. Her journey as a sick person began when she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 23. This led to her first two major surgeries, including a total colectomy. (If you’ve encountered Merilee’s “magical drink,” which tastes like salt and looks like pee, this is the illness and surgery that necessitated it.) Despite spending more than what seemed like a billion days in the hospital, and surviving what her family describes as a near-death experience, Merilee’s fiery spirit pulled her through. Merilee credits both of her Grandmothers for her spirit. That spirit has come in very handy for her many times. If you’ve ever met Merilee, you know exactly what I mean.

 

 

At 33, Merilee was diagnosed with stage 1A cervical cancer. She had a radical hysterectomy. Merilee suffered nerve damage from the surgery and for a time walked with a cane, but was declared cancer-free. There was no chemo or radiation after this surgery. As Merilee describes it, “it was just barely cancer.”

 

 

At age 37, Merilee received the rare diagnosis of Adult-Onset Type 1 Diabetes, her second autoimmune disease in addition to ulcerative colitis. When assessing her bad luck with all her medical conditions, Merilee used to say, “Well, at least I didn’t get that horrible diabetes where you have to give yourself shots.” Never mind! Even after 10 years as a Type 1, Merilee still considers herself a beginner when managing this complex and life-threatening disease that impacts every facet of her life and makes dealing with all her diseases even more challenging.

 

 

Then at age 40, seven years after her first cancer diagnosis and to the surprise of every single one of her many doctors, Merilee experienced a metastatic recurrence of cervical cancer in her lung. Her most difficult surgery to date followed, involving a nine-day hospital stay full of complications from her other diseases. She endured six rounds of platinum chemotherapy in an attempt to kill off any other random cancer cells that might have been floating around her body.

 

 

Years went by full of CTs and cancer surveillance, but also joy and love. There was an incredibly high chance her cancer would recur, but after another seven years had passed, it was very unlikely. Then it happened. The sneaky cancer came back. Again.

 

 

Merilee, now 47, will first undergo another lung surgery to remove this new tumor. The surgery and recovery will begin at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, which is the best cancer hospital in the United States but far, far away from the Ashland, OR home she shares with Gabriel and their “shitty” but sweet cats, Chula and Xochitl. Then she will make decisions about chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

 

 

Merilee and Gabriel met in college in California. They were married in 2007, and together, they have navigated the complex world of Merilee’s incredibly unique health and managed more crises than a young couple should. They are partners in Merilee’s health — Gabriel takes notes and asks tough questions during innumerable doctors’ appointments. He helps Merilee make hard choices when doctors disagree about next steps. He endures lots of sleepless nights when her diabetes machines are beeping and buzzing. He provides clarity, stability, companionship and sometimes most importantly, humor.

 

 

Merilee’s other diseases make her upcoming cancer surgery and treatments even more complicated, and she will require long periods of hospitalization and recovery. Fortunately, Merilee has health insurance for now. But she and Gabriel face many other expenses in the coming weeks and months. Merilee’s recent job loss, followed by this devastating diagnosis, make this GoFundMe especially urgent. The money raised will go directly to Merilee and Gabriel, to spend as they need to help ensure Merilee’s well-being and allow her to maintain her focus and energy on overcoming cancer yet again.

 

 

I clearly remember the first time I met Merilee at work. I immediately admired her no-bullshit gravitas that demanded respect. Her confidence can feel intimidating to some, but as I got to know her, I quickly learned that she also has a goofy side. She pokes fun at herself and doesn't take life too seriously, but also takes every moment as a gift. Merilee talks about how she never expected to live this long. Maybe that's why she fights so hard to make the world a better place for the people around her. Maybe that’s why she has such an affinity for beauty, design, and art. Maybe that's the root of her many passions and endless energy. Merilee is fierce, tenacious, and brave and it shows up in all aspects of her life, whether it’s speaking truth to power or knowing just how far she can push the limits of her body to accomplish a goal. She always sees people as fully human and endeavors to understand the world from their perspective. It is what makes her such a good leader and an effective voice for cultural change.

 

 

Whether you know Merilee from her artistry, her social justice activism, her bread-baking, her gardening, or as the person behind the scenes at ScenicG, I invite you to join #TeamMer by donating and sharing this page. As Merilee’s treatment and recovery proceed, I will make occasional updates to this site.

 

Thank you,

Sarah DeLong