As many of you who know and most who probably don’t in August 2016 my mom was diagnosed with Stage IV MBC (Metastatic Breast Cancer) which is cancer that has spread to other parts of her body. In my mom’s case it spread to her bones. My mom has alway been a very private person and not one to seek out sympathy. Therefore, we have tried to handled this as a family.

She went though months of chemo therapy, blood transfusions, infusions to strengthen her bones and ever type of scan imaginable. Then once her body could no longer handle the intravenous chemo she was put on a daily oral chemo pill. Through all this mom has been an inspiration with her constant positive attitude and ability to finish out her last teaching year.

Luckily, her cancer is under control for now. Stage IV is serious, it will never be gone form her body. Even though the cancer is under control it has done its damage. The bone cancer has taken its toll on my mom’s spine. She now is in a great deal of pain because of it. Steroid injections did not help and pain killers seem to do little.

She has exhausted all none surgical treatments. Because of this her oncologist and neurosurgeon have recommended surgery, which has been scheduled for November. Mom’s procedure will last 7 hours followed by a couple weeks of rehab. Hopefully, after the spine is fused the pain will be gone.

Unfortunately being sick is expensive. I’ve seen my parents worry and stress over medical bills. Their resources have been exhausted. Stress is not good for anyone let alone someone who is fighting for her life. My mom is not one to ask for help and is embarrassed to do so. So I am asking for her.

Any donations would be appropriate. Thank you from the Emery/ Strusinski Family!