Farewell to Cancer - Gearing up for the FIGHT

This beautiful devoted wife and mother of three amazing kids needs your help and support.


... and just like that I found myself shaking, falling to my knees with unstoppable tears with my heart racing, feeling like I've never felt before.  That was the moment I found out my best friend was about to start the fight.

Danielle Lilley.  My best friend.  My rock.  The person I most admire and aspire to be like.  My human.  The one who held my hand during all my dark times and kept my head above the water.

On Friday July 17th,  we went to do our favorite weekend pastime (Rosie's).  We were having our bi-weekly dose of entertainment.  We decided to eat a little something before heading home.  Immediately after eating, Danielle had excrutiating stomach pains.  This had been going on for over a month and had only seemed to be getting worse.  I begged her to let me take her to the Emergency Room and she didn't want to go at that moment but promised me that she would let me take her the next day.

Saturday, July 18th.  As promised, I showed up at her house and as soon as her sweet babies were in bed, I took her to Sentara Princess Anne Hospital where of course with her symptoms we had to wait quite awhile for any results.  They told us that she had Pancreatitis and that she would be admitted to the hospital for a few days until her pancreas decided to calm down.  

With all of the Covid-19 stuff going on, the hospital is very particular about visitors but from the moment any nurse came in contact with the two of us, they knew that the two of us just come as a package deal.  The nurses in the ER set us up in a little room for the night and said that Danielle would be moved upstairs once a room became available, probably by 9 a.m.  Right as we were laying down to finally fall asleep, A nurse rushed in and says that she needs to take Danielle upstairs right away.  She instantly felt something wrong.  We were both fighting tears as we were torn away and I was unable to go with her.  

Fast forward to 3 days of not eating or drinking anything... Sunday... Monday... Tuesday...  During this time the word Cancer had been thrown around way too often for her comfort.  All of her dear family and loved ones tried to be as reassuring as possible but life as she knew it, had changed forever.  

On Thursday morning, she was being transported to Sentara Norfolk General for an endo esophageal ultrasound to give the Dr's a clearer picture of her pancreas.  She got to ride in a fancy ambulance there this morning and she texted me "Debbie, I know you haven't left the house yet, but I'm in an ambulance, come find me and wave behind the ambulance (or something to that effect).  Little did she know that I was sitting at the Ambulance entrance waiting for her transport to arrive so I could give her smiles and air hugs so she'd see a friendly face right before going in for her procedure.  She is the cheese to my macaroni, y'all... I'd take a bullet for this girl so of course I was going to goofy-wave at her and totally embarrass her in front of the hospital. 

Around 12:20 p.m. is when she told me... and just like that I found myself shaking, falling to my knees with unstoppable tears with my heart racing, feeling like I've never felt before.  That was the moment I found out my best friend was about to start the fight.  I wish I could just take all the pain from her.  I'd take it on in a heartbeat if I could.

This girl right here is the most incredible human on the entire planet.  I have watched her put everyone else above herself and give the shirt off of her back to make sure that someone else has it just a little easier.  This is now the time for all of you to help give back to her.  If you ask anyone about Danielle, they are going to tell you these things.



Debbie (Me) -  "I've known Danielle since 1993. Her dog was running down the street and I went to try to help.  Being a Navy Brat, of course her family moved but life has a strange way of bringing people right back where they need to be.  Danielle has always been my rock.  I had a really rough couple of years, My divorce in 2012-2013, especially when I lost a son in 2014 and another son in 2015.  My own battles with focusing on doing what I needed to do to overcome my demons.  She held my hand until I saw color again.  I'm the least deserving person of her friendship but we have this incredible bond that I can't even explain.  She is the cheese to my macaroni, the best "other-mom" to my kids, and my "person".  Anyone who knows us, knows that Danielle is my everything"



Amanda Klein (friends with Danielle since Middle School) says "If it wasn't for her I would have kept going down that bad path of emptiness.  Danielle lifted me up and gave me a reason to live"

Danielle's baby sister says 



Cayla Chatman says "Literally what isn't their to love? She was the first one at the banque to give me the time of day. She is nothing but pure gold. We talked about it the other night, she is the type of person that could only have 1 cent to her name and she'd give it away without a second thought if she knew it would make you happy. I'm beyond blessed to have her in my life. She is by far the most giving, loving, compassionate, AND HUMBLE, person I've ever met. She means the world to so many people and its clear to see why. She is a walking, breathing angel."  

Gerri Lynn says "I’ve known Danielle since 9th grade. She was one of my first friends when I moved to Georgia. She’s always had a way about her, kind of a tough love, sarcastic-witty, wonderfulness that has always just clicked with me. She’s been there for me when things were dark and ugly. She’s just one of those people, I can’t help but always love. Even years and miles upon miles apart."

I'll keep updating as more information comes in.  Danielle is currently not insured and it is our duty as her village to help keep her head above water with Medical Treatments (the treatment plan will come as soon as the Pathology Reports come in later this week), and her household obligations.  She wants to make sure that her and her loving hardworking husband do not fall behind on bills.

Share Share Share.  There is nobody more deserving of our help.  She has three beautiful children that need their momma to get the best treatment possible. 


---------------UPDATES WILL BE POSTED AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE-----------------