Help My Mom Complete Her Bucket List

Hello friends and family <3 It’s with a heavy heart that I am writing this, and I could only wish that I never would have had to.

As many of you may know, my mother, Lian, was diagnosed with stage 3 gastric cancer in June of 2023. Her cancer type was SRCC (signet ring cell carcinoma), a very rare and aggressive form of cancer, and shortly after she was diagnosed, she went through a round of chemo then underwent a total gastrectomy this past October which removed her tumor, 15 cancerous lymph nodes, and her entire stomach. After her surgery, we found out that the chemo prior to surgery didn’t work and was not successful in halting the spread of her cancer, and although her tumor was removed, she was still considered high risk.

Despite her situation and her struggles, Lian was the same smiling, positive, and radiant woman that many of you have gotten to know and love, throughout the entire process. Post-surgery, she has been in the process of recovering and doing her best to get used to new eating habits and a difficult lifestyle considering the loss of her stomach. She has been spending time with loved ones, strengthening her faith and spirituality, appreciating the little joys in life, and eating as much yummy food as possible, as she loves to do.

Just this past week on February 13th, we received recent biopsy results and the shocking and devastating news that her cancer had not only come back, but this time it is terminal. The oncologists diagnosed her with only up to 6 months left, but we are all praying for a miracle to be able to spend more time with this truly wonderful woman.

If you know my mom, or have even met her once, you would know how amazing of a woman, mother, sister, daughter, friend, and even stranger she is. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know (packed in the littlest body), and her kindness, compassion, thoughtfulness, and generosity are just a few of the qualities that everyone she meets is sure to experience from her. Her smile is contagious, even from miles and miles away, and she exudes positivity - whether it’s through her daily sentiments posted on Facebook, her support and encouragement for a loved one’s endeavors, or her admirable strength, perspective, and mindset through difficult times like these. It’s no surprise that she is the rock that’s keeping us all grounded through all of this.

Lian has spent her whole life loving and caring for everyone else - unconditionally, no strings attached, and never asking for anything return. I think now more than ever, it’s our turn to return her love by sending prayers, showing support, and making sure she enjoys the rest of her life on this beautiful earth to the absolute fullest. I’ve started this fundraiser to ask for your help and contribution in helping my mom complete her bucket list with the little time she has left.

At only 58 years young, there are still a ton of things that I know she would love to experience that she hasn’t had the opportunity to yet. A few of these things are to travel to Spain, eat sushi in Japan, finally take a family trip (with all 30 members!), see her favorite music artists live (Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, John Legend, John Mayer, and Adele), take in the beauty of a few more national parks and landscapes, indulge in good food, see her only daughter and future favorite son-in-law get married, and most of all spend as much quality time with her beloved family and friends as possible.

Any type of support or contribution you would like to make to help my mom enjoy the rest of her life is greatly appreciated and will forever be remembered and cherished by not only her, but especially me and the rest of our family. Whether it’s a monetary contribution, quality time, kind words, or prayers, your support and contribution will go a long long way. I know that I can speak for everyone when I say that we have all been so lucky to know and love the beautiful soul that is Lian Rickey, and since we have been blessed to know how much time she has left and to make the most of it, I would love to do all that I can to give her the best rest of her life that she undeniably deserves.

Thank you all for everything and just know we both love and appreciate all of you, and we’ll do so for the rest of our lives.