- P
- T
- J
My name is Ihyisha and I am the oldest of my mother's three children My-Asia & Ny-Asia aka Mi-Mi & Nay-Nay. 
Our mother Gladys Fortney was diagnosed on March 31, 2014 with small cell lung cancer. There are many types of lung cancer but this one in particular has a low survival rate due to it tendency of "jumping" to the brain. It has been concluded that the cancer was formed due to smoking.
Our mother thought she had a bad cold and was constantly complaining to the doctor that she was feeling pressure in her back. It was suggested that she was having back spasms due to her many years utilizing heavy duty slicers in the culinary field. Finally while ending up in the ER with what we thought was walking pneumonia she requested a chest x-ray. This revealed that she had a tumor growing in her lower right lung.
Being the mother that she is she kept this a secret for just about a month because she wanted to get all of the facts in order before breaking the news to us. At the time my sister Mi-Mi was about 4 months pregnant. We will never forget the day, May 2nd 2014, that rattled our family with her telling us that she was sick with cancer. Our automatic reaction was death as so many of our loved ones have already passed from cancer including two of my mother’s sisters.
May 6th 2014 began her journey of countless treatment. From May 2014 through September 2014 she has undergone 1 complete cycle of chemo (treatment for 3 days every 21 days 6 times) and radiation to the lung. This treatment reduced the size of the tumor tremendously. December 2014 she underwent radiation to the brain as a preventive measure of the cancer not jumping there. For a short while she was able to return to work but then that was short-lived because the tumor was growing again. The doctor decided to give her a lower dosage of chemo through chemo pills however this method was not as powerful and the tumor did not reduce in size. As of January 7th 2016 she has completed 3 more rounds of chemo and has 3 more rounds to go. Preliminary results show that the tumor has decreased in size. She has her good days which means you better get on board on what she wants to do before you catch her “attitude” :-) and then she has her down days that keep her mostly bed ridden due to her white blood cells being low from the treatments.
Through it all she has shown such strength, courage and determination. Within the past 2 years she was able to see my sister graduate from college, see my promotion to manager, the four us travel to Mexico and witness the birth of her two grandsons. I would say that we keep her going but it is really those two boys that really keep her pushing to be with us another day. Tomorrow isn’t promise for anyone of us but we believe in the power of God and live each day the best that we can ceasing each moment and opportunity.
We are forever greatly for the love and support our friends and family have shown us over the past 2 years and the continued support to be received. On Saturday March 26th 2016, there will be a Black Tie Event held in her honor 2015 at the Hilton Conference Center (downtown Scranton). It is too often the case where people do not express how they feel about someone until they pass on. Let’s show this special lady how much she means to all of us while she is able to witness and embrace it!
Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated and we kindly ask for a door donation of $20 if you plan on attending the event.
Our mother Gladys Fortney was diagnosed on March 31, 2014 with small cell lung cancer. There are many types of lung cancer but this one in particular has a low survival rate due to it tendency of "jumping" to the brain. It has been concluded that the cancer was formed due to smoking.
Our mother thought she had a bad cold and was constantly complaining to the doctor that she was feeling pressure in her back. It was suggested that she was having back spasms due to her many years utilizing heavy duty slicers in the culinary field. Finally while ending up in the ER with what we thought was walking pneumonia she requested a chest x-ray. This revealed that she had a tumor growing in her lower right lung.
Being the mother that she is she kept this a secret for just about a month because she wanted to get all of the facts in order before breaking the news to us. At the time my sister Mi-Mi was about 4 months pregnant. We will never forget the day, May 2nd 2014, that rattled our family with her telling us that she was sick with cancer. Our automatic reaction was death as so many of our loved ones have already passed from cancer including two of my mother’s sisters.
May 6th 2014 began her journey of countless treatment. From May 2014 through September 2014 she has undergone 1 complete cycle of chemo (treatment for 3 days every 21 days 6 times) and radiation to the lung. This treatment reduced the size of the tumor tremendously. December 2014 she underwent radiation to the brain as a preventive measure of the cancer not jumping there. For a short while she was able to return to work but then that was short-lived because the tumor was growing again. The doctor decided to give her a lower dosage of chemo through chemo pills however this method was not as powerful and the tumor did not reduce in size. As of January 7th 2016 she has completed 3 more rounds of chemo and has 3 more rounds to go. Preliminary results show that the tumor has decreased in size. She has her good days which means you better get on board on what she wants to do before you catch her “attitude” :-) and then she has her down days that keep her mostly bed ridden due to her white blood cells being low from the treatments.
Through it all she has shown such strength, courage and determination. Within the past 2 years she was able to see my sister graduate from college, see my promotion to manager, the four us travel to Mexico and witness the birth of her two grandsons. I would say that we keep her going but it is really those two boys that really keep her pushing to be with us another day. Tomorrow isn’t promise for anyone of us but we believe in the power of God and live each day the best that we can ceasing each moment and opportunity.
We are forever greatly for the love and support our friends and family have shown us over the past 2 years and the continued support to be received. On Saturday March 26th 2016, there will be a Black Tie Event held in her honor 2015 at the Hilton Conference Center (downtown Scranton). It is too often the case where people do not express how they feel about someone until they pass on. Let’s show this special lady how much she means to all of us while she is able to witness and embrace it!
Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated and we kindly ask for a door donation of $20 if you plan on attending the event.
Organizer and beneficiary
Gladys Fortney
Beneficiary