On December 9, 2019 our family received news that would forever change our lives.

Our mother (hereafter referred to lovingly as “Mom”) was diagnosed with advanced localized (stage 3) Pancreatic Cancer.  She is 60 years young, a mother of three children, a grandmother of two beautiful girls, a sister, a co-worker, a wife, a United States Marine Corp veteran, and most importantly to Mom, a follower of Jesus Christ. 

Mom has always been someone to strive to put others first and would make sure everyone’s needs were met before her own. As a family, we are doing all we can to comfort Mom, keep her spirits up, and make life as stress free as possible. Pancreatic Cancer is the deadliest cancer worldwide, with only a 10% long-term survival rate. Pancreatic Cancer is the least funded cancer for the government due to the high mortality rate. In essence, it’s it considered a death sentence.

Since her initial diagnosis, she has undergone a stint procedure and two months of chemotherapy.  For most, chemotherapy serves to shrink the tumor to make surgery an option to remove the tumor.  Unfortunately, despite two months of aggressive treatment, the tumor has not responded, and surgery is no longer an option. 

For us, living life to its fullest is our goal for Mom, but debt collectors and the tax men and women have little regard for health and wellness.  We are blessed to have medical insurance, but it is a high deductible plan, and hospital bills are coming due.  We want Mom’s focus to be on living and healing, not worrying about how she will manage to keep the light on at home.  We are just looking to raise enough to cover medical costs and anything over will be donated to Pancreatic Cancer funding. 

Mom does not like a limelight and never wants a handout.  She trusts God in all things.  Each day she wakes up she considers a gift from above, and she quotes Joshua 1:9:  “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 

Let’s help Mom have many more gifts from above so her granddaughters will get to know the woman who loves them so deeply.

 

Thank you and God bless.