Help fight my Mom’s Stage 4 cancer!
Donation protected
My mom Annabelle was diagnosed with Stage 4 intestinal cancer. She’d been diagnosed with Celiac disease just a few years ago, a substantial change for anyone, and she’s had a heart arrhythmia for many years as well as a heart valve regurgitation that was causing fatigue and other symptoms before the cancer. Apparently having Celiac disease increases the risk of intestinal cancer. Needless to say, it’s been a rough year for her so far!About half her liver was taken over by a large, fast-growing tumor. Spots of cancer were found in her lungs, and in her small intestines, the origin of the cancer. She was told that once the majority of the cancer taking over her liver had been killed by the chemotherapy, she will have surgery to remove the rest, so that the focus can be on the remaining cancer via radiation, then a final bout of chemotherapy.
She was told there was a 10% chance of that happening. Well, in mid-July, her oncologist, Dr. Robertson, who we adore, was very excited to give us the news that she beat the odds! More than 1/2 of the cancer in her liver had disappeared. There were just a few tiny spots in her lungs. Ideally, the cancer will be easier to beat if it’s in just one area of course. Now that she’s had the last (8th) round of chemotherapy (August 22nd), she’s going to have a CT scan to see how much of that remaining cancer in her liver is there. Dr. Robertson will hopefully schedule surgery for her, on the liver, so she can focus her treatment on the intestines! We are currently waiting to find out if she will be able to have that surgery!
Her visits to the hospital, the co-pays on her medications (not to mention the full price expense for some of medications not covered), as well as many other cancer-related expenses, are becoming quite a burden! My mom lives on a fixed income. She’s also maintained an all-natural and organic lifestyle and isn’t a big consumer. She was always self-sufficient and up until recently, rode her bike to the Farmer’s Market, helped me (a major understatement) with her grandkids, and showing us up each day with her ridiculous amount of energy and sprightliness.
The cancer, mostly the cancer treatment itself, has taken away most of that energy and drive. It’s been very difficult for the family to watch her go though this. She’s got an incredible life force, and has the most positive spirit I’ve ever known a human being to have. I’m not just saying this because she’s my mom, anyone who has ever met her can attest! Positive thinking alone will not help her beat this, she’s got a plethora of medications prescribed by her oncologist and heart doctor.
She’d love to have acupuncture and other naturopathic healing techniques. She’s been talking about CBD oil for months, and my sister-cousin (long story :D) and her husband kindly took her to a dispensary in the Bay Area and bought her some CBD oil about a month ago, and she said it’s done WONDERS for her pain and nausea. She’s running out of that.
I’ve seen a wish list of hers for tinctures and vitamins (most of them have been proven as immune and liver supporting, as well), but she
cannot afford them as they’re not covered by insurance. There are also the weight of the
monthly co-pays that are pulling her down, in addition to causing a lot of stress. She’s fortunate that Medi-care pays for many of the medicines required, but it’s the co-pays that are taking all of her remaining money each month and she can’t seem to keep from treading water.
I’m sure many of us can relate to the rising costs of heathcare and co-pays. My mom has suffered quite a few blows over the past few decades; the biggest being the loss of her daughter, my sister, due to cancer. She lost her husband (my stepfather) also due to cancer. She lost her mother and brother, whom she was close to. She’s lost a home and has had chronic fatigue in her past as well. Facing the age of 72 with limited funds can be the cause of some stress, let alone facing 72 with stage 4 cancer.
Your generosity, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, is massively appreciated. Anything you can give can help and please don’t hesitate to pass this link along to friends, family, co-workers etc. I’ve been inspired (like millions of others) over the years to give to complete strangers whose story touched me somehow. It can make a difference in someone’s life! Thanks for reading this. ♥️
Organizer and beneficiary
Jenny Maher Prefontaine
Organizer
Chico, CA
Anna MacDonald
Beneficiary
