Dealt a real set of cards for Lee Pfeiffer
Donation protected
A few months ago Lee’s daughter, Jessica, her close friends, other family, and even
coworkers had been noticing some strange behavior coming from Lee. Her mental
retention was not there, the gate in her walk was very off, she'd been having issues
holding and grasping things and just seemed very out of sorts. One or two of these
things were explainable due to her working physical labor outdoors at the country
club she worked at for very many years. All the symptoms at the same time, and so
quickly, it seemed very strange.
Lee had been diagnosed years ago with COPD, and Asthma. After years of being
treated for this and an addition of these other symptoms Jessica became very
concerned and began making, attending, and note taking multiple doctors to
exactly pin point what was going on with her mother.
After multiple trips to her primary physician they eventually identified a mass in
each lung, most likely cancerous.
This still unfortunately did not explain her mental retention or her issues with her
fine motor skills.
Lee and Jessica then spoke to a neurologist,Dr. Schanzer who very well saved Lee's life
He demanded that Lee be administered to the Emergency Room to have her chest
X-ray'd, a full CT scan of her head, and a brain MRI. Lee was then admitted into the
ICU at Trinitas Regional Medical Center where teams of doctors continued to
check in on her.
What they found through the multiple scans was that Lee also had a tennis ball
sized tumor in her brain that was pushing her brain in all directions causing
swelling as well as multiple lesions or cancerous cells that form and grow into
larger tumors at various spots in her brain.
Every doctor was amazed in Lee's resiliency that she was able to live and function
on her own with this tumor, especially with the size and placement of the large
tumor, that she had not already had a major stroke.
So, the tumor was very much the priority.
The neurosurgeon decided that brain surgery was needed quickly to remove the
tennis ballsized tumor and then recovery and rehab, all taking about two and a half
weeks between surgery and rehab. Which of course, once again, Lee proved how
strong she was.
Same day after major brain surgery Lee wanted to begin walking around!
Now Lee is home in her own home, but only because Jessica and family and friends
have put their lives on hold to be on her team! Next course of action was full brain
radiation. After 15 radiation treatments, Lee completed this tough round with flying
colors, her hair did not.
Whomp whomp.
But of course, Lee's Radiation Oncologist was again so impressed on how Lee was
progressing through everything.
For now, the next course of action is to begin her treatment for her Lungs, radiation
and chemotherapy. Most likely more rehab for breathing and other complications
that could arise.
So, why the story? And why are we asking for help? Lee has not been able to work
dueto complications and brain surgery and recovery and now treatments and side
effects. She is not of retirement age just yet, and isn’t sure she’s ready to retire!
So for now she is dealing with state temporary disability while she is battling for
social security disability until she is eligible for her retirement social security which
takes an extremely long time, exhausting amount of paperwork and Lawyers to help
expedite the process
grrrrrrrrrrr $$$$$$$$$$$$
Through these countless appointments and treatments, Lee has needed care as
well as her house with property that needs attention and upkeep! Lee is very lucky
to have family and friends that have stepped up to be there for her in every way
which means they have had to sacrifice not only time and effort in their own lives,
but financially as well from missing work and traveling.
Another hurdle at this time is that Lee is going to have to sell her Home of 15 years as
the burden of owning a home is just not possible or safe for her to live in moving
forward, so downgrade in size of living space is a must which comes with
large financial burden as well.
Throughout this request for help, you'll notice a very common occurrence.
Lee's incredible fighting spirit and want to kick this things butt!!
But she needs YOUR help!
Everyone asks “How can I help!?”
Well...... ”Any amount helps” is really, really the truth
Thank you
coworkers had been noticing some strange behavior coming from Lee. Her mental
retention was not there, the gate in her walk was very off, she'd been having issues
holding and grasping things and just seemed very out of sorts. One or two of these
things were explainable due to her working physical labor outdoors at the country
club she worked at for very many years. All the symptoms at the same time, and so
quickly, it seemed very strange.
Lee had been diagnosed years ago with COPD, and Asthma. After years of being
treated for this and an addition of these other symptoms Jessica became very
concerned and began making, attending, and note taking multiple doctors to
exactly pin point what was going on with her mother.
After multiple trips to her primary physician they eventually identified a mass in
each lung, most likely cancerous.
This still unfortunately did not explain her mental retention or her issues with her
fine motor skills.
Lee and Jessica then spoke to a neurologist,Dr. Schanzer who very well saved Lee's life
He demanded that Lee be administered to the Emergency Room to have her chest
X-ray'd, a full CT scan of her head, and a brain MRI. Lee was then admitted into the
ICU at Trinitas Regional Medical Center where teams of doctors continued to
check in on her.
What they found through the multiple scans was that Lee also had a tennis ball
sized tumor in her brain that was pushing her brain in all directions causing
swelling as well as multiple lesions or cancerous cells that form and grow into
larger tumors at various spots in her brain.
Every doctor was amazed in Lee's resiliency that she was able to live and function
on her own with this tumor, especially with the size and placement of the large
tumor, that she had not already had a major stroke.
So, the tumor was very much the priority.
The neurosurgeon decided that brain surgery was needed quickly to remove the
tennis ballsized tumor and then recovery and rehab, all taking about two and a half
weeks between surgery and rehab. Which of course, once again, Lee proved how
strong she was.
Same day after major brain surgery Lee wanted to begin walking around!
Now Lee is home in her own home, but only because Jessica and family and friends
have put their lives on hold to be on her team! Next course of action was full brain
radiation. After 15 radiation treatments, Lee completed this tough round with flying
colors, her hair did not.
Whomp whomp.
But of course, Lee's Radiation Oncologist was again so impressed on how Lee was
progressing through everything.
For now, the next course of action is to begin her treatment for her Lungs, radiation
and chemotherapy. Most likely more rehab for breathing and other complications
that could arise.
So, why the story? And why are we asking for help? Lee has not been able to work
dueto complications and brain surgery and recovery and now treatments and side
effects. She is not of retirement age just yet, and isn’t sure she’s ready to retire!
So for now she is dealing with state temporary disability while she is battling for
social security disability until she is eligible for her retirement social security which
takes an extremely long time, exhausting amount of paperwork and Lawyers to help
expedite the process
grrrrrrrrrrr $$$$$$$$$$$$
Through these countless appointments and treatments, Lee has needed care as
well as her house with property that needs attention and upkeep! Lee is very lucky
to have family and friends that have stepped up to be there for her in every way
which means they have had to sacrifice not only time and effort in their own lives,
but financially as well from missing work and traveling.
Another hurdle at this time is that Lee is going to have to sell her Home of 15 years as
the burden of owning a home is just not possible or safe for her to live in moving
forward, so downgrade in size of living space is a must which comes with
large financial burden as well.
Throughout this request for help, you'll notice a very common occurrence.
Lee's incredible fighting spirit and want to kick this things butt!!
But she needs YOUR help!
Everyone asks “How can I help!?”
Well...... ”Any amount helps” is really, really the truth
Thank you
Organizer
Jessica Murray
Organizer
Union, NJ
