Marie Medick's Fight

My name is Shannon O'Brien.  I am starting this page in honor of my mother, Marie Medick.  Our family was stricken with the news on March 20, 2017 that our mother was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma, stage 1 breast cancer.  She tested positive for BRCA-1 and HER-2, which is very uncommon. She was so strong and positve(or pretended very well for us, that's who she is) when she broke the news to myself and my siblings, Erin and Chris.  Having lost her mother at the age of 2 of breast cancer, we were all very concerned.  There were many decisions that needed to be made and although it was caught early, it was more agressive than they thought.  The doctors decided to start chemo earlier and use a more agressive treatment.  This was going to be a higher dosage than orginally discussed, but she had faith in her doctors and wanted to move forward.  Our mother had just undergone a few other procedures prior to this that had to be checked thouroughly, as one was heart related and it needed to be confirmed that procedure would handle the chemo and radiaton immediately following.      

After she was cleared, chemo started on June 12, 2017 and ended August 14, 2017.  She went through this and handled it as best as she could, with complete hair loss and terrible bouts of sickness.  She pushed herself and attended the grandchildren's games anytime she could build up enough strength because they mean the world to her and lifted her spirits.    

The chemotherapy was now over and now onto radiation.  There are many risks with this as well, but it was the "easier" stage of the two treatments.  There are many side effects to this and just recently is when I noticed the decline in her spirit for the first time.  My mother is not one to ask for help or let us know she is hurting.  I could hear it in her voice on the phone, I can see it in her eyes.  With the loving support of her husband,  her sister in law, us three kids and our families, and her will to survive and beat this, she has pushed through this far.  She has shown us strength and the ability to push through difficult situations with holding her head high, but now that has slightly changed.  The will and strength remain, but the financial burden is wearing on her.  Mom has gone to work every chance she could during this period of time, but has made the decision she just cannot take it physically and mentally at this time.  She needs to focus on her and rest when neccesary with no guilt.  She needs to regroup mentally and surround herself with everything she enjoys and makes her feel good and not have the burden of bills while she completes radiation. 

If anyone knows her and our family, it's difficult for us to swallow our pride and reach out for help.  She is going to be upset I even started this.  It's time for her to be worry free as much as she can be at this difficult time.  We truly appreciate anything you can do for her at this time.  Thank you in advance.