Deena Ruiter's Cancer Journey
Donation protected
The day after celebrating her daughters 4th birthday, Deena was taken to the ER where an MRI revealed a large mass on her brain. She was scheduled for surgery within a couple of days and much of the mass was removed. The medical staff at St Charles Medical Center remarked that she did better post surgery than most patients and was discharged within a few days. A subsequent diagnosis revealed that she had stage 4 brain cancer. While this is a devastating diagnosis for any individual, she was facing this while 20 weeks pregnant. Her team of physicians devised a treatment plan that consists of 4 weeks of radiation prior to the birth of her daughter followed by 6 months of chemotherapy.
Since it’s not healthy to focus only on the negative, it’s important to share some positive aspects of this ordeal. Deena has a mutation status that implies her tumor responds well to both the radiation and the chemotherapy. Deena has a loving husband who is working as hard as possible to allow her to rest and focus on recovery. She has a daughter, Sierra, who doesn’t care that mommy went on a trip to the hospital in late October and came back with a neat haircut-she was just ecstatic to have mom back so they could read and play together again. She is welcoming a new daughter into the world in mid February. She’s going to fight as much as possible to overcome this challenge. She exceeded the expectations after brain surgery and she’s going to do it again with her treatment over the next several months. She’s a fighter! (I know this having grown up with her a year apart in age)
Like everyone, the pandemic has taken a toll on her ability to live and work. Deena and her husband Roy, are small business owners and like most small businesses, have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Deena needs to focus on her health and cannot currently work. Roy is working as much as possible, caring for her and their energetic 4 year old Sierra. In addition to the tremendous emotional toll, there is a financial strain that this diagnosis is causing. The goal of this fundraiser is to provide some financial relief that will allow Deena and her family to focus on her health by removing one incredible stressor from the equation.
Please consider a donation, no matter how modest, as every bit helps! The donations will be used for medial bills, living expenses, and child care expenses.
Even if you cannot donate, please consider sharing this message.
Since it’s not healthy to focus only on the negative, it’s important to share some positive aspects of this ordeal. Deena has a mutation status that implies her tumor responds well to both the radiation and the chemotherapy. Deena has a loving husband who is working as hard as possible to allow her to rest and focus on recovery. She has a daughter, Sierra, who doesn’t care that mommy went on a trip to the hospital in late October and came back with a neat haircut-she was just ecstatic to have mom back so they could read and play together again. She is welcoming a new daughter into the world in mid February. She’s going to fight as much as possible to overcome this challenge. She exceeded the expectations after brain surgery and she’s going to do it again with her treatment over the next several months. She’s a fighter! (I know this having grown up with her a year apart in age)
Like everyone, the pandemic has taken a toll on her ability to live and work. Deena and her husband Roy, are small business owners and like most small businesses, have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Deena needs to focus on her health and cannot currently work. Roy is working as much as possible, caring for her and their energetic 4 year old Sierra. In addition to the tremendous emotional toll, there is a financial strain that this diagnosis is causing. The goal of this fundraiser is to provide some financial relief that will allow Deena and her family to focus on her health by removing one incredible stressor from the equation.
Please consider a donation, no matter how modest, as every bit helps! The donations will be used for medial bills, living expenses, and child care expenses.
Even if you cannot donate, please consider sharing this message.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jim Beeman
Organizer
Dickerson, MD
Deena Ruiter
Beneficiary
