My mom came from Russia to visit me and meet my family in Minnesota. Mom was excited to spend a few weeks with her grandchildren - to play with a 3 y.o. toddler and help me with a 2-month-old baby. Suddenly, mom got very sick. On the next day, as she felt worse and worse, I took her to the ER where the doctor said she needs urgent surgery in her intestines. The next 8 days, after a long surgery, were like a terrible nightmare for us. Pain on a 10 out of 10 scale. Burning and painful to tears, multiple IVs for 4 hours each. "No-food-no-drink" for 7 days, only IV liquid and meds. A tube in mom's stomach causing extremely uncomfortable feelings in her throat. Exhausted, along with losing her weight, she was losing her hope to overcome and ever return home.

I was there every day, alone with the baby - from early morning till late evening. My mom doesn't speak English and, besides support, I was a full-time interpreter for her communication with nurses and doctors. Then came her test results and we learned that ASAP she needs to continue her treatment via chemotherapy. She was diagnosed with 3rd stage cancer.

Mom had travel medical insurance, but the insurance company contacted me with a quote that expenses suffered as a result of diagnosis, manifestation, exacerbations, and complications of insured caused by cancer disease are not covered by insurance and are not an insurance case.

Mom is not a US resident; she is on a tourist visa. So, she is not eligible to buy local health insurance or apply for financial assistance. She is shocked by facing both - cancer and the cost of treatment.

Mom is still recovering physically after major surgery. Thank God! With this, she is currently doing well. Mentally, it is still a very heavy burden to process what has happened and how dramatically life changed just in one day.

Mom came to help me but became the one who needs help the most. We need funds to cover her hospital bill and to continue her treatment and fight for her life.

We appreciate your attention, your prayers and, if possible, your financial assistance.

May God be with you and bless.

Sincerely, Irene.