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I never thought I'd find myself asking for the support of my family, friends, and strangers during this time. I know we are all struggling in one way or another due to Covid, but on top of this, my small family is once again fighting cancer - together.
6 years ago, my dad was diagnosed with, and beat, tonsil cancer. Now my mom, Miriam, only 58 years old, is battling Stage 4 gallbladder cancer.
In mid-August, my mom started experiencing severe symptoms associated with gallstones. She had been seeing her primary care physician for almost one whole year prior, voicing her concerns over these same symptoms. No tests were ever performed. After rushing her to the ER for excruciating pain, her doctors explained to her that several masses were found in her gallbladder, liver, and abdominal area. She was soon diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
Since August, we have been in and out of the ER and ICU. Our doctors estimated at that point that she had weeks-months to live. Her symptoms ranged from all over body swelling from the cancerous fluid to crippling abdominal pain likely from the tumors. Paracenteses were performed every week to remove the fluids from her abdomen. She looked as if she were 9 months pregnant and her legs swelled to 3x their natural size. She could not walk, move, or sit up-right. Complications from cancer has made an already unbearable situation worse. The fluid pressed against her lungs, making it difficult to breathe, and blood clots formed in her legs and lungs. Through August and September, her doctors concluded that she was not strong enough to begin chemotherapy.
We sought out a second opinion at City of Hope, not covered by insurance, and there, they agreed with our doctor's initial diagnosis and prognosis.
Fortunately, in October, my mom was finally stable enough to begin chemotherapy. Treatments seem to be working in our favor, but we still have a long and tough road ahead of us. Stage 4 is more often than not terminal, and although no one is ever prepared to lose a loved one, we sure as hell are going to fight like hell, because at 23 years old, I'm simply not ready to lose her.
Since her diagnosis, I have been her primary caregiver. I dropped out of school, was granted a temporary leave of absence from my employer, and have dedicated all my time and love to care for my mom. My dad, unfortunately, has not been here through these testing times.
We are lucky enough to have insurance, but even insurance doesn't cover all the costs. Not working these past few months and my mom having to close her business down permanently has taken a HUGE financial toll. From co-pays, ER/ICU bills, groceries, rehabilitation, home expenses, and caregivers (when I return to work), it has been overwhelming at the very least. All donations will be used towards our current and future medical financial obligations.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read our story so far. Anything and everything is greatly appreciated including your thoughts and prayers. God Bless!
6 years ago, my dad was diagnosed with, and beat, tonsil cancer. Now my mom, Miriam, only 58 years old, is battling Stage 4 gallbladder cancer.
In mid-August, my mom started experiencing severe symptoms associated with gallstones. She had been seeing her primary care physician for almost one whole year prior, voicing her concerns over these same symptoms. No tests were ever performed. After rushing her to the ER for excruciating pain, her doctors explained to her that several masses were found in her gallbladder, liver, and abdominal area. She was soon diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
Since August, we have been in and out of the ER and ICU. Our doctors estimated at that point that she had weeks-months to live. Her symptoms ranged from all over body swelling from the cancerous fluid to crippling abdominal pain likely from the tumors. Paracenteses were performed every week to remove the fluids from her abdomen. She looked as if she were 9 months pregnant and her legs swelled to 3x their natural size. She could not walk, move, or sit up-right. Complications from cancer has made an already unbearable situation worse. The fluid pressed against her lungs, making it difficult to breathe, and blood clots formed in her legs and lungs. Through August and September, her doctors concluded that she was not strong enough to begin chemotherapy.
We sought out a second opinion at City of Hope, not covered by insurance, and there, they agreed with our doctor's initial diagnosis and prognosis.
Fortunately, in October, my mom was finally stable enough to begin chemotherapy. Treatments seem to be working in our favor, but we still have a long and tough road ahead of us. Stage 4 is more often than not terminal, and although no one is ever prepared to lose a loved one, we sure as hell are going to fight like hell, because at 23 years old, I'm simply not ready to lose her.
Since her diagnosis, I have been her primary caregiver. I dropped out of school, was granted a temporary leave of absence from my employer, and have dedicated all my time and love to care for my mom. My dad, unfortunately, has not been here through these testing times.
We are lucky enough to have insurance, but even insurance doesn't cover all the costs. Not working these past few months and my mom having to close her business down permanently has taken a HUGE financial toll. From co-pays, ER/ICU bills, groceries, rehabilitation, home expenses, and caregivers (when I return to work), it has been overwhelming at the very least. All donations will be used towards our current and future medical financial obligations.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read our story so far. Anything and everything is greatly appreciated including your thoughts and prayers. God Bless!