Help Sharon Fight Cancer
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On October 18, 2017, my sister and I were given news that would forever change our lives. I was at work when I got a text from my sister to call her immediately. When I did, she informed me that she was in an ambulance on the way to the hospital with our mom and that something wasn’t right. My heart dropped. I left work and met them in the ER at the Reading Hospital. The doctors informed us that our mom was having a seizure because her sodium levels were deathly low. They put her on a ventilator because they were worried if she were to seize again, her airway could be obstructed. After they sedated her, she was moved to the ICU and my sister and I were left in the waiting room praying that our mom was going to be OK. After a few hours, we were given news that completely shattered our world. Our mom was diagnosed with Stage III rectal cancer in March of 2016. My sister and I were speechless and wondering why she kept something like this a secret for a year and a half. The next day we found out more heart breaking news. Her cancer had spread to her lungs, liver, spine, and colon. Once again, we were left speechless and had so many unanswered questions.
Once our mom was moved from the ICU, we had the opportunity to talk to her and everything began to make sense. In March of 2016, our family doctor convinced her to get her first colonoscopy, since she was overdue for one. They had found a tumor on her rectum that was cancerous. Our mom had then gone to find out her treatment options. She wanted surgery to completely remove her rectum, but the doctors wanted her to try chemo or radiation first. Our mom refused. She is the type of person who never puts herself first. My sister just started working a great full time job that she had been working hard for. I still had a year left before I would graduate from Millersville and get established in a career. Our mom couldn’t afford to quit her job for the treatments. She also didn’t want to be sick for all of the exciting moments happening in our lives at the time. In addition, she knows how much my sister and I worry. She didn’t want anyone to put their lives on hold for her, so she made the most selfless decision we’ve ever heard of. She decided to fight by herself and in her own way. She did endless amounts of research and completely changed her lifestyle. She ate as clean as could be and continued to exercise daily. She was convinced that she was beating this terrible disease on her own.
After hearing my mom’s story, my sister and I were a mix of angry, upset, confused, etc. However, we both understand why our beautiful mother did what she did. She was doing what she does best-- putting my sister and I before herself. Our mom has been fighting for so long on her own, but now it’s time that we fight together. She has now agreed to do chemo treatments through the Reading Hospital. Even though she now has stage IV cancer, the oncologist is optimistic that she has years left to live if she continues the treatment. She quit her job and will be collecting disability. However, she won’t receive any money for 5 months. This is where we need your help. Our mom is a fighter and she never asks for anything from anyone. However, she now knows that she has endless amounts of support and she is beginning to accept the help. Please considering donating to help pay for her hospital bills and future treatments. Any little bit will help. At the very least, we just ask that you keep our mom in your prayers. She is by far the strongest woman we know and she will always be our biggest inspiration.
Once our mom was moved from the ICU, we had the opportunity to talk to her and everything began to make sense. In March of 2016, our family doctor convinced her to get her first colonoscopy, since she was overdue for one. They had found a tumor on her rectum that was cancerous. Our mom had then gone to find out her treatment options. She wanted surgery to completely remove her rectum, but the doctors wanted her to try chemo or radiation first. Our mom refused. She is the type of person who never puts herself first. My sister just started working a great full time job that she had been working hard for. I still had a year left before I would graduate from Millersville and get established in a career. Our mom couldn’t afford to quit her job for the treatments. She also didn’t want to be sick for all of the exciting moments happening in our lives at the time. In addition, she knows how much my sister and I worry. She didn’t want anyone to put their lives on hold for her, so she made the most selfless decision we’ve ever heard of. She decided to fight by herself and in her own way. She did endless amounts of research and completely changed her lifestyle. She ate as clean as could be and continued to exercise daily. She was convinced that she was beating this terrible disease on her own.
After hearing my mom’s story, my sister and I were a mix of angry, upset, confused, etc. However, we both understand why our beautiful mother did what she did. She was doing what she does best-- putting my sister and I before herself. Our mom has been fighting for so long on her own, but now it’s time that we fight together. She has now agreed to do chemo treatments through the Reading Hospital. Even though she now has stage IV cancer, the oncologist is optimistic that she has years left to live if she continues the treatment. She quit her job and will be collecting disability. However, she won’t receive any money for 5 months. This is where we need your help. Our mom is a fighter and she never asks for anything from anyone. However, she now knows that she has endless amounts of support and she is beginning to accept the help. Please considering donating to help pay for her hospital bills and future treatments. Any little bit will help. At the very least, we just ask that you keep our mom in your prayers. She is by far the strongest woman we know and she will always be our biggest inspiration.
Organizer
Jenny Bee
Organizer
Reading, PA
