Help Mika kick Cancers A$$

Many of you may be shocked and definitely saddened by this news but our dear friend Mika (Rios) Kaiser needs your help.  On January 30th Mika drove herself to urgent care, concerned she had a kidney infection and that some medicine and rest would quickly take care of it.   After that visit, doctors discovered a large mass on her uterus which they assumed was a fibroid cyst and scheduled her for an emergency hysterectomy and biopsy.   Of course good old insurance put a hold on it so she waited for over a week uncomfortable and wearing a catheter.   Although Mika was nervous on the morning of the procedure she felt it was a routine hysterectomy and that it would soon all be over.   And for the 1st 24 hours it was all "routine".  The doctor came in and said surgery went great, he said they were still awaiting results on the biopsy but he was still confident it was only a large fibroid cyst.   Very large in fact, the size of a softball.   He mentioned he was surprised at the growth speed and that she wasn't in pain from it but he showed no major concerns.  That all changed later that afternoon when her doctor returned with news nobody wants to hear.  The cyst was in fact malignant.  And Mika's world went dark when she heard the word "Sarcoma", a cancer that makes up less than 1% of all cancers.  Mika has been diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma a rare and aggressive soft tissue cancer.  Only about 6 out of one million women will be diagnosed with this cancer in the U.S. annually.  Because of the rarity and aggressive behavior Mika's doctor (who has only seen 2 other cases of this Sarcoma in all of his practice) has scheduled her to get into Stanford immediately.  You can imagine her shock when she was told this after thinking she had a clean bill of health.  As I sat by her side I heard her say to Kirk, her husband, "I won't be able to work, oh God we're gonna live in our car".  How sad that she was facing cancer and basically worrying about how to pay for it.  But I knew this is where we, her friends could help. Transportation, hotel, medical bills, etc...it's going to add up quickly and with all of us we can lessen this burden a bit.  If you're a friend of Mika's you know how trustworthy, honest, loving, dependable, caring and funny she can be...if you're a customer of hers you probably know these exact same traits and want to know more.  She's got a beautiful soul and it shines through.  So please if you can help in any way prayers, kind words, good vibes, funny messages, donations of food, money, fur baby food etc...anything will help her navigate through this absolutely terrifying journey.  So whether she's your closest friend or favorite bartender she definitely has helped you in some way and it's time we help her.  If you would like other options for donating, an account is being set up for her at EECU and there will be drop off locations for food and gifts throughout Fresno and Clovis.  Please email with questions at [email redacted]