Help Momma Mal Get the Medical Care She Needs

My name is Taryn and I am here on behalf of my mom, Mallory, or as most call her- "Momma Mal".

Momma Mal is not only one of the greatest people you will ever meet, but also a career-long bartender because she is truly THAT wonderful with people. If you have ever gone to Buckaroos, then you have undoubtedly been served a drink by her, and she probably left a lasting impression with her warm smile and contagious dance moves. My mom would (and has) taken the shirt off her back for so many people (and animals). She has lovingly coined the nickname "Momma Mal" because she truly provides love, care, and a safe environment for so many. Momma Mal has an infectious laugh, the biggest heart, the best work ethic, and an incredibly positive outlook on life. I honestly don't think that there are enough words to fully describe the kind of wonderful person she is and the big, kind heart that she has.

In June of 2024, my mom suffered a fall that left her feeling extremely ill, and the aftermath has unfortunately unveiled some more serious health issues. Initially, what was believed to be a hernia caused by this fall, and could be fixed with a routine surgery, has now been diagnosed as an extremely rare tumor that was somehow dislodged from the impact of her fall. This tumor is now sitting intertwined within her intestinal tract, causing her to feel sick. Momma Mal is often nauseous, in pain, unable to keep anything down, in and out of consciousness, and constantly suffering from horrible vertigo. As her daughter, seeing a woman who is so warm and filled with life trying so hard to remain that way is so hard. This kind of tumor has left her team of doctors stumped at where to go next.

Unfortunately, we don't know much about this tumor or if/how far it has progressed because nobody is sure how to biopsy it due to the location. We do, however, know that it is something many doctors are unsure how to treat moving forward. We also know that due to the nature of this tumor (it is fully encapsulated within a cyst) that her insurance is denying her case, claiming that it is a preexisting condition.

I am coming here in hopes to raise funds for a couple of potential scenarios:

1. Travel to get my mom to a research hospital.

I know this may be a long shot, but since her tumor has left so many doctors stunned, I am hoping to maybe get her imaging to a research hospital and hopefully they are willing to pick her up for a case study, as well as get her the care she needs.

2. Potentially paying for this surgery and her care out of pocket.

We are in limbo with all of her doctors and the insurance company right now. Quite literally nobody (not even her specialist) knows the next steps to take, but everyone agrees that this needs to come out. As her daughter, I am willing to take on as much of her medical expenses as possible to make sure that this tumor is removed, she gets better, and is healthy for all of us moving forward. I will stop at absolutely nothing to make sure my mom is heard and taken care of- insurance and doctors aside. I will exhaust every resource and find any possible doctor who is willing to get this thing out of her and find a way to financially make it happen.

3. To give my mom some cushion and take some financial stress off of her while she is healing.

My mom has always been the hardest worker I know. Growing up, she put me through private school as a single mother and has given me the best life possible at the selfless expense of countless picked-up shifts, missed weekends, working holidays, and overtime. I can help take some pressure off of her monthly, but to leave her financially stress-free during this would mean the world to me.

4. To throw her the most epic dance party when all of this is said and done.

By chance, if we do get through this with little to no cost, any unused funds will go to throwing my mom the biggest, baddest, most insane dance party possible, with everyone she loves there. If you know my mom, you know this is how she will want to celebrate.

When she gave me the news of her tumor, she told me, "Quit crying, I'm going to be fine. The biggest b!+ch of this all is that I just can't bust out dancing like I used to without having to throw up." My mom feels so optimistic and that she was given this rare tumor as an opportunity to help others, and I think that tells you exactly the kind of person she is.

I know that it is close to the holidays, and everyone is a little financially pressed right now. However, we are looking at this as a marathon, not a sprint. I'm an only child, and my mom is all I have. She means the absolute world to me. We are expecting her to be around and healthy for many more years to come, but asking for help to take care of my own mom may be the hardest thing (pride and emotionally) that I have ever had to do. It kills me that I am not financially in a place to just take her to get the help she needs, but I know that so many of you love her as much as I do and are willing to help get her some answers.

Like I said, we don't know much. But, we do know this thing needs to come out. We don't know who is willing to take it out, but I am going to search the ends of the earth to find a doctor who will. I promise to keep you all posted with more information when I have it, but for now, hold some space for Momma Mal.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving.

We love you.

With endless thanks,

Taryn & Mallory