An unexpected financial burden

How a simple knee surgery changed our family lives!!

On July 19th my mom went to have her knee replacement surgery. The surgery itself was stressful due to artery blockage and her having contracted covid 19 . This landed her in the hospital with bilateral Pneumonia followed by a long recovery at home and during this become dependent upon an oxygen tank and hose which limited her ability to get around. After some time she FINALLY was healthy enough to get surgery for her knee replacement WHICH was successful , thank God .

On Friday August 19th She had extreme difficulty breathing and was rushed to the emergency room . At 1st it was a scare of a possible blood clot in her lung, but all test and blood work confirmed it was not a clot. The Doctors had her take a CT scan and it showed that she had a Mass on her lung. Her pulmonary

Dr. sent her for a petscan.

As her breathing had worsened so did our thoughts of the possibility of cancer. She concentrated on her knee replacement therapy to keep her mind off any thoughts of the Big C .

On august 25th she had surgery to put in a broncial stent and retrieve a biopsy of the mass. The mass was blocking her airway. The procedure provided her with some relief and we patiently waited 3 weeks for the results of the biopsy . During this time she was very limited and pretty much was house bound.

September 9th , on my Dads birthday , she recieved the call that it was CANCER ! To make matters worse it is a rare cancer called small spindle cell sarcoma . It is treatable , but it is a very rare type of cancer that usally isn't found in the lungs . Surgery is not an option because she would lose her entire lung . For the weeks that followed we went to many Dr appointments for multiple opinions , but all had the same concerns.

she decided on radiation treatment. She has gone through tons of tests while going through chemotherapy. She had to have another procedure for her bronchial Stent to be cleared out. The very next day she under went a procedure for a port to be placed under her skin for her chemotherapy treatment She had to be tattooed for the area where radiation will be done on her right side by her sholder area Her treatment is 5 days a week and for 7 weeks. My Dad has been her trooper as he takes her everyday even at her weakest when she can hardly breath or walk but a couple of steps. They do it. They Never miss a treatment. The tumor is shrinking , but she is still having extreme difficulty breathing . To top things off , her Stills disease she has been struggling with since childhood flared up. she had to be put on 80mg of steroids. She quickly dropped 35lbs and has no appetite to eat. She's drinking substitute drinks for protein and electrolytes. For those who truly know my mom she absolutely hates to drink anything and usuallyoy takes a few sips of water or cola , but with the threat of hospitalization, She is sure drinking them up . Her Stills disease , which is an autoimmune disease, she was diagnosed with at 6 years old has been a constant problem and has started to flare up. Leaving her lethargic breaking out in fevers of 104. Low oxgyen levels on top of the Cancer.

It took myself time to take this all in with what stressful struggles my family has gone through since my husband's latter accident. I now couldn't believe my mom has cancer . I had no doubt and know she will fight, but what saddens me and what i dont understand is why she always has had to fight her entire life??

My dad is amazing. Taking her wherever they need to be. Gives her medicine daily. Makes sure she is doing all her breathing therapy , even when she wants to sleep all day. He Food shops, does the laundry, cleans the house ect.. Hes tired but will do what he has to do for his wife as he always has for 50 years of their marriage. He has his routine and everyday they both wake up knowing the schedule and not knowing the unknown the day can bring. The constant worry of How will my mom's breathing be? will it be this day they won't make it to treatment? She's on such a high dose of oxygen that they have figured out and know how much she needs to get through radiation and how much so she can make it up the steps and onto to the couch! The struggle isn't over as She possibly has to under go another surgery to clean out some mucus that is thickening around her Stent. We are hoping this will be the last one before it can be removed with NO tumor surrounding it.

The reason why I considered setting up a go fund me is because as most of you know healthcare is very expensive. My mom is unable to work. If it weren't for the tumor she would be working and taking herself to treatments. But unfortunately it is more complexed. My dad and mom have always been limited with their income. They've learned to live with what they have. If I could help her alone I would but I can't. She has always been there for me and she always said " that's what mothers are for" well now I want to be able to help her with the help of all of you!

So I'm asking anyone who wants to help a little will mean alot. It will help until she gets on her feet . Whether with a donation or Through your thoughts and prayers.

So with all of that. I will say thanks in advance. She will fight her way through this to the very end. She is not only my mom but my best friend. Your donation would greatly reduce the financial burden on my dad . My brother Jason, Our families , and her grandchildren will greatly appreciate any help for their Wife, Mother, Mother in law and Most of all MIMI as she continues to fight and kick cancers Ass as she is doing and will continue doing!! Thank you all and God Bless!