Cathy Dix Medical Fund
Donation protected
This past April, our family got some news that changed our lives forever; our mother, Cathy Dix, was diagnosed with Grade IV Glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer). Mom, who ironically is an oncology nurse, began having trouble reading. She would leave out words here and there. Then, she began having trouble processing what she read. Finally, one day at work, she couldn’t figure out how to administer chemotherapy via an IV pump, a task she has done for 20 years. Initially, her primary care doctor believed that these were all side effects of stopping her migraine medication, which she had been on for many years. However, we knew in our guts that something bigger was happening. One afternoon, she came over to visit her oldest daughter, Meghann, but she couldn’t remember how to get to her house, a place she visited frequently.
Then, a few weeks ago, mom and dad were supposed to attend a fundraiser and our Aunt Amy stopped by to see how my mom was doing. Upon her urging, dad took mom to the Emergency Room. After a cat scan, the doctors discovered a mass over the left parietal of her brain, camped out right over the part of the brain that functions memory, processing, and vision.
Even after all of this, we were hopeful and certain that it was a best case scenario. However, our positivity received a crushing blow after a brain biopsy uncovered the terrible news of stage IV GBM – a rare brain cancer that comes with a very grim prognosis.
The month of April and May were a complete blur for our family. However, we rallied as a family and discovered that God has been guiding and protecting us all along. We have been in contact with some amazing doctors and new friends who have given us support and wisdom that could only come from our Maker. So much good has come from this terrible situation, and we are determined to see our beautiful mother beat this cruel disease.
Fortunately, our mom has been the best patient anyone could ask for. She is always smiling despite the frequent waves of nausea and tiredness. Unfortunately, with all of the treatments, doctor visits, hospital stays, second opinions, medications, and supplements (she takes nearly 50 pills a day), my parents are steeped in bills and costs that are far exceeding what they can afford. Furthering treatment beyond the stand care protocol is unfortunately very costly; however, the standard care treatment is not very hopeful for this disease. Her three daughters would like to set up this fund to help with any out-of-pocket medical expenses as well as the treatment beyond the stand protocol of care. Our dad is not one to ask for donations; he would much rather be the one giving. But, as daughters we realize how this gift can help him focus on mom without the financial burden.
Mom has finished radiation and is currently taking an oral chemo pill. Along with the standard care, she is following the cocktail approach to beat the disease, which is a strict diet accompanied by many, many supplements! Beyond this treatment are other options which are not usually covered by insurance. We are anxiously awaiting the results of another MRI to determine if the radiation did in fact shrink the tumor.
We are so blessed to be surrounded by a God who loves us and a group of family and friends who have given up much to support us. Any support you can offer will be greatly appreciated and will hopefully alleviate one of the stressors in this very stressful situation.
God bless,
Meghann, Caitlin, and Lauren (the three daughters)
Then, a few weeks ago, mom and dad were supposed to attend a fundraiser and our Aunt Amy stopped by to see how my mom was doing. Upon her urging, dad took mom to the Emergency Room. After a cat scan, the doctors discovered a mass over the left parietal of her brain, camped out right over the part of the brain that functions memory, processing, and vision.
Even after all of this, we were hopeful and certain that it was a best case scenario. However, our positivity received a crushing blow after a brain biopsy uncovered the terrible news of stage IV GBM – a rare brain cancer that comes with a very grim prognosis.
The month of April and May were a complete blur for our family. However, we rallied as a family and discovered that God has been guiding and protecting us all along. We have been in contact with some amazing doctors and new friends who have given us support and wisdom that could only come from our Maker. So much good has come from this terrible situation, and we are determined to see our beautiful mother beat this cruel disease.
Fortunately, our mom has been the best patient anyone could ask for. She is always smiling despite the frequent waves of nausea and tiredness. Unfortunately, with all of the treatments, doctor visits, hospital stays, second opinions, medications, and supplements (she takes nearly 50 pills a day), my parents are steeped in bills and costs that are far exceeding what they can afford. Furthering treatment beyond the stand care protocol is unfortunately very costly; however, the standard care treatment is not very hopeful for this disease. Her three daughters would like to set up this fund to help with any out-of-pocket medical expenses as well as the treatment beyond the stand protocol of care. Our dad is not one to ask for donations; he would much rather be the one giving. But, as daughters we realize how this gift can help him focus on mom without the financial burden.
Mom has finished radiation and is currently taking an oral chemo pill. Along with the standard care, she is following the cocktail approach to beat the disease, which is a strict diet accompanied by many, many supplements! Beyond this treatment are other options which are not usually covered by insurance. We are anxiously awaiting the results of another MRI to determine if the radiation did in fact shrink the tumor.
We are so blessed to be surrounded by a God who loves us and a group of family and friends who have given up much to support us. Any support you can offer will be greatly appreciated and will hopefully alleviate one of the stressors in this very stressful situation.
God bless,
Meghann, Caitlin, and Lauren (the three daughters)
Organizer
Caitlin Dix Sabino
Organizer
Cuyahoga Falls, OH