Brandy's Battle Against Cancer

Hi, my name is Dylan, and I am starting this fundraiser for my mom, Brandy. My mom was diagnosed with stage 3B colon cancer on September 3rd. Issues with her health began around a year and a half ago, though she carried on not thinking anything serious of it (nor that cancer could even be a reality for her). Recently my mom's issues had become much more debilitating, finally prompting her to make a doctor's appointment. After that first visit, doctors weren't sure what could be causing my mom pain, but after a CT scan and colonoscopy revealed a large malignant mass (biopsied and tested)... we learned the staggering truth about my mom's health.

Currently, my mom has had three appointments already:

1) A urgent care visit where she was sent in for a CT scan ( this visit identified the mass initially)

2) A colonoscopy ( this procedure involved the biopsy, confirming that the mass was cancerous)

3) The most recent visit was another colonoscopy which included a Lower Endoscopic Ultrasound(EUS) to determine the stage of her cancer (3B).

Stage 3B colon cancer means that the mass has spread through her muscle, into the outermost layer of the colon wall, and to two of her lymph nodes, causing them to enlarge.

The next plan of action is to have my mom undergo chemotherapy and radiation to shrink the size of the mass, and surgery will follow to remove the mass. Depending on the state of the growth and the rest of her treatment, my mom might have to undergo surgery requiring her to wear a colostomy bag for the rest of her life.

Finances

My dad owns a small concrete business here in southern Oregon, and my mom is his "right-hand man." Without the help of my mom and the growing cost of her healthcare, my dad has been under a lot of stress to make ends meet. With my dad's business being the primary and only source of income, my mom has decided to set up a financial plan through Asante, where she will have a consultation (9/15). Lastly, I have started this fundraiser to help relieve some of the stress my parents are currently dealing with.

Cancer is a huge reality check and a very real issue. My family and I remain hopeful that mom will kick cancer in the butt. Doctor's have been very optimistic about her outcome at the end of this journey, though it is bizarre to think someone you love dearly is battling a disease as life-threatening as cancer. Anything and everything donated will go towards Brandy's medical expenses and procedures. I am still trying to wrap my head around the entire thing, and all the medical jargon makes it a bit difficult to do so, so I hope this makes sense to those reading. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out! Thank you to those who took the time to read this and to those who donated!