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To our Family, Friends, and Friends of Friends who have followed Lori's story....
As many of you already know, life changed for our family on September 11, 2018. Our mother, Lori Leif, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that metastasized to her liver at the age of 55. The diagnosis came after a girls camping trip to Colorado. About a week before the trip mom started having some abdominal pain and wasn’t feeling herself. We talked about cancelling the trip but we had all taken off work to make it work and done a lot of planning so she said she’d be fine and she wanted to tough through it. We made the 8 hour drive to Colorado and she was a trooper the whole time. We slept on the ground, roughed it in the woods, and set up/took down our camp. On the way home she was so miserable we decided it was time to go to the hospital. We thought it was her gallbladder so we brought her to the hospital that we work at and had everyone for her surgery picked out before even walking in the door of the ER. This alone was a big deal for mom. She always says how she wants to keep all her parts, so she was stressed out and scared about having to have surgery. It was also a big deal because mom didn’t have health insurance. We knew it was gonna be pricey but we were all willing to do whatever it took to help her feel better.
After getting to the hospital on September 11th and telling the doctors her symptoms, they ordered an ultrasound to check her gallbladder. On the ultra sound they found multiple masses on her liver. They ordered a CT scan to get a better look and discovered an area on her colon that was concerning. It gave a whole new meaning to the song “ Where Were You” by Alan Jackson. Our lives were stopped in that moment. She was our person. Our only parent as we don’t have a good relationship with our dad or his parents and my moms parents are deceased. She’s who we look to in times of turmoil, frustration, sadness, etc. The tests continued and we got the final diagnosis. She was in the hospital for a week before finally being discharged.
Now is where our new normal starts. She gets chemo every other week on Fridays, and will continue to do this in 6 month increments until the tumors are gone (the miracle we are praying for), a new option, or until it quits being effective. She gets a CT scan after every 4th cycle of chemo to check and see how the tumors are responding to the chemo. On her off weeks she comes in for lab draws to make sure that her blood levels are reacting well with the chemo. On her chemo weekends she stays in Lincoln with Miranda and Brittany. All four of us enjoy spending time together and doting on her while she is with us!
On top of the cancer diagnosis, Lori's divorce was also finalized a week after she found out she had cancer. Which this was a good thing but unfortunately she is also responsible for some bad decisions made by her ex and has monetary responsibilities that add to the financial burden.
Through this whole ordeal we have worked closely with wonderful advocates at the hospital to help with getting treatments covered and assisting with applying for Medicaid. But unfortunately nothing in life is free and treatments, procedures, labs, doctor visits, and life expenses all add up quickly. As Lori is not able to work at this time she does not have an income and has many outgoing expenses. We have tried to help with as much as possible but there comes a time when you have to set your pride aside and accept help. There have been many people who have reached out wanting to help and right now a monetary donation would be the most helpful for our family. Any donation would be MUCH appreciated and put towards paying medical bills, housing expenses, groceries, etc.
I hold HOPE with the future being unknown, because anything is possible! We will surround Lori with love, light and support while she continues to fight back against those nasty cancer cells. Through all this, Lori remains positive and radiates love and support to those around her. She is truly one of the very best humans I know (not just because she is my mother!) and she inspires me to be a better person, grow in my faith, and love everyone around me just as she does.
Thank you so much for reading this. Your time, donation and love will truly make a personal difference! We love you Lori. Not a day will EVER go by where we don't fight this cancer with you and help hold you up when you need a crutch!
Good vibes only and prayers to our Warrior Queen!
As many of you already know, life changed for our family on September 11, 2018. Our mother, Lori Leif, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that metastasized to her liver at the age of 55. The diagnosis came after a girls camping trip to Colorado. About a week before the trip mom started having some abdominal pain and wasn’t feeling herself. We talked about cancelling the trip but we had all taken off work to make it work and done a lot of planning so she said she’d be fine and she wanted to tough through it. We made the 8 hour drive to Colorado and she was a trooper the whole time. We slept on the ground, roughed it in the woods, and set up/took down our camp. On the way home she was so miserable we decided it was time to go to the hospital. We thought it was her gallbladder so we brought her to the hospital that we work at and had everyone for her surgery picked out before even walking in the door of the ER. This alone was a big deal for mom. She always says how she wants to keep all her parts, so she was stressed out and scared about having to have surgery. It was also a big deal because mom didn’t have health insurance. We knew it was gonna be pricey but we were all willing to do whatever it took to help her feel better.
After getting to the hospital on September 11th and telling the doctors her symptoms, they ordered an ultrasound to check her gallbladder. On the ultra sound they found multiple masses on her liver. They ordered a CT scan to get a better look and discovered an area on her colon that was concerning. It gave a whole new meaning to the song “ Where Were You” by Alan Jackson. Our lives were stopped in that moment. She was our person. Our only parent as we don’t have a good relationship with our dad or his parents and my moms parents are deceased. She’s who we look to in times of turmoil, frustration, sadness, etc. The tests continued and we got the final diagnosis. She was in the hospital for a week before finally being discharged.
Now is where our new normal starts. She gets chemo every other week on Fridays, and will continue to do this in 6 month increments until the tumors are gone (the miracle we are praying for), a new option, or until it quits being effective. She gets a CT scan after every 4th cycle of chemo to check and see how the tumors are responding to the chemo. On her off weeks she comes in for lab draws to make sure that her blood levels are reacting well with the chemo. On her chemo weekends she stays in Lincoln with Miranda and Brittany. All four of us enjoy spending time together and doting on her while she is with us!
On top of the cancer diagnosis, Lori's divorce was also finalized a week after she found out she had cancer. Which this was a good thing but unfortunately she is also responsible for some bad decisions made by her ex and has monetary responsibilities that add to the financial burden.
Through this whole ordeal we have worked closely with wonderful advocates at the hospital to help with getting treatments covered and assisting with applying for Medicaid. But unfortunately nothing in life is free and treatments, procedures, labs, doctor visits, and life expenses all add up quickly. As Lori is not able to work at this time she does not have an income and has many outgoing expenses. We have tried to help with as much as possible but there comes a time when you have to set your pride aside and accept help. There have been many people who have reached out wanting to help and right now a monetary donation would be the most helpful for our family. Any donation would be MUCH appreciated and put towards paying medical bills, housing expenses, groceries, etc.
I hold HOPE with the future being unknown, because anything is possible! We will surround Lori with love, light and support while she continues to fight back against those nasty cancer cells. Through all this, Lori remains positive and radiates love and support to those around her. She is truly one of the very best humans I know (not just because she is my mother!) and she inspires me to be a better person, grow in my faith, and love everyone around me just as she does.
Thank you so much for reading this. Your time, donation and love will truly make a personal difference! We love you Lori. Not a day will EVER go by where we don't fight this cancer with you and help hold you up when you need a crutch!
Good vibes only and prayers to our Warrior Queen!