Denise’s Battle Fund: Hope, Healing and Strength

Our dear friend and coworker, Denise, has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma. Denise has always been the kind of person who puts others first—whether it’s lending a hand, offering a listening ear, or using her gut health knowledge to help people heal and reach their goals. She has dedicated so much of her life to caring for others, and now it’s our turn to care for her.

She recently started immunotherapy at U of M and will be receiving treatments every three weeks. As she focuses on fighting and healing, we want to help ease the financial burden so she can put all her energy into recovery.

If you’re able to contribute, any donation would mean the world. And if you’re not in a position to give financially, please keep Denise in your prayers—that’s the one thing she’s asking for the most.

Thank you for your support, love, and prayers for Denise during this battle.

message from Denise 3/31/25:

Hi everyone

I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the generous gifts, calls, texts, and PRAYERS! 

My Melanoma story started 25 years ago when my son was 11 months old. I had a mole removed that had turned black and was itching. When I went back to the doctor to have the stitches out, he didn’t even know how to address me because melanoma was not that common but it’s very deadly.. within the next week I had a very large portion of my leg removed . I then spent 10 years with oncology and many other doctors getting checked , bloodwork , X-rays etc. over the last 25 years I’ve had so many pieces cut out of me and biopsied that I can’t even count. I’ve never once missed an appointment. 

In Dec 2024 I was getting my mom’s groceries and lifted a 30 pack of water and came home in excruciating pain in my groin thinking I had a hernia. 2 days later I went to a general surgeon that I work with and he sent me for an ultrasound which led to a biopsy, and they determined that It was melanoma in my lymph node. A week later I got results back that my mammogram needed follow up so they sent me for an ultrasound and then a biopsy, and that also showed the melanoma was in my breast.. The surgeon sent me to University of Michigan because they have the best melanoma clinic in the country. The next test was a PET scan which showed that the cancer was in nine lymph nodes through my abdomen, iliac and groin and also my breast, it is stage IV . Next was the Brain MRI which was clear, thank God. After meeting with the teams at U of M, it was determined that this melanomas primary source was from my leg 25 years ago one little Cell sat stagnant and for whatever reason, something sparked it and it went crazy. When I was with my last oncologist, he told me that melanoma is a silent killer that I would’ve went to sleep and never woke up. It’s not painful it’s just silent and spreads very quickly.. 

This new diagnosis hit me like a ton of bricks, out of nowhere not only my life but my families life has been turned upside down . 

I have 2 years of upcoming treatment, tests and appointments at U of M.

They started me out with 4 heavy treatments, next week I have my second infusion, then in June it will drop down to 1 Medication which is administered by IV every three weeks and the next PET scan will be in June to see how the treatment is working. I work two jobs and I’m very thankful that I’m able to take time off as needed for my treatment and appointments. 

I once again want to thank each and every one of you for being so generous, every donation collected will go to all of my medical bills, taking time off work traveling to U of M etc. 

I would love for you to keep me and my family in your prayers that God gives me the strength to beat this !!

Lastly ……. PLEASE don’t worship the sun or tanning beds, wear sunscreen religiously, because this is something that you never ever want to experience.

Love you all

Update 4/8/25

2nd double Treatment DONE. bloodwork is great , Dr appt was good . After just a few minutes of the infusion I had a reaction to the medication.  Tammie looked at me and said “are you ok” I said I don’t feel right, she immediately pushed my call light, my nurse came in and brought 2 other nurses . Nurses moved fast and called the Doctor,  pumped me full of Benadryl and Pepsid. Had chest pain and back pain , broke out in a sweat.  started the 1st medication again after a bit  (Nevo)  back up  running at 50% , slower pace , 2nd Drug IPI was tolerated because I had so much Benadryl in me. Per Drs orders they noted on my chart moving forward they must pre-medicate and run at 50%

Dr said worst side effects usually happen within the 2nd and 3rd infusion, praying they are mild.

After the first treatment after 2 weeks I experienced bodyaches/fatigue/headaches/gum pain/bumpy itchy rash, nothing I couldn’t handle, Today terrified me, but most of all I was scared that I couldn’t continue with the treatment that I absolutely need to beat this!! 

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT ❤️