Fight with Fran!

My daughter-in-law Francesca Manzella is just 31 years old.  She's a beautiful person inside and out.  I can't describe how much she means to myself, my son William, her 3 wonderful kids (William Jr.- 8, Ava - 5, and Mya - 3) and her countless family and friends.  Fran recently found out that she has stage 3 colon cancer. Not a diagnosis she was expecting at all.  Almost three years ago, Fran had a partial hysterectomy and at that time - they found a spot on her colon.  For some reason, they didn't tell her about this...Obvisously had she known, she would've had it removed and I wouldn't need to be writing this.  To make matters worse, William had been out of work for 12 weeks with a shoulder injury.  Needless to say, things are tough.  Fran has recently started chemotherapy and for anyone who has been through it or knows someone who has, it's extremely exhuasting both physically and mentally.  Fran is a busy mother of three and a doting wife to my son.  This has taken a toll on the entire family in so many ways and now they have expenses that far outweigh what they can afford.  Up to the point of her diagnosis, my husband and I were living in Minnesota.  We moved back to New York to help them as much as we can but unfortunatley we are only able to do so much.  This is exactly why I decided to do this for her.  Fran is generally a very private person so it took her a while to warm up to the idea of sharing her story.  That being said, as soon as she realized that she may just help someone else out by sharing - she didn't think twice.  She also wrote something and I will post that below as well.  You'll see just how wonderful she is.  Please... if you can help in any way... it will be greatly appreciated.
                                                                             Wendy Manzella
Fran's letter:
My main goal is to spread awareness, not only of colon cancer but more importantly listening to your body. Women are especially guilty of this. I know because I did it.  Despite persistent and severe symptoms I ignored the signs and just kept on living.  I was far too busy to be sick.  Thank goodness my cancer showed itself in such a way that I was unable to ignore it any longer and that saved my life. I was diagnosed with colon cancer the 3rd week of October 2015,  just after my 31st birthday. No one was more shocked than me especially after having been constantly reassured by multiple doctors that it wasn't going to be cancer and not to worry. Well that news really threw me for a loop.  It took me quite some time to wrap my head around what was happening and what I was about to face.  I had major colorectal surgery to remove the mass on October 31st, 2015.  I was in the hospital a total of 12 days away from my family - it was very difficult.  3 weeks later, after a long and grueling healing process, I was hit with the news that my pathology came back positive for stage 3 colon cancer and I would have to undergo chemotherapy every other week for the next 6 months. I had a port placed in the left side of my chest just after christmas to make it easier for them to administer the chemo drugs.  I am currently undergoing chemo and it has been tough. Some days are harder than others.  I'm so very thankful for all of my family and close friends for helping me through this.  I had always heard of people going through things like a chronic illness and having a very hard time financially.  I figured out fairly quickly that the bills certainly do pile up.  Between copays, prescriptions, our regular bills and my inability to work, we are definitely struggling.  My husband and I are very private people and are not always comfortable asking for help but the need is great and we are trying very hard not to have our financial struggles affect our children or our ability to keep our home.  We have a long road ahead of us and together - with God - we know we will make it through.  Thank you.