Help Support Marinda and her fight with cancer!

Marinda Burkholder (Pingley)  is such a sweet soul and would never ask for help on her own, so my family and I decided we would ask for her! Her life hasn't always been easy but she has always been there for anyone who has needed her. Now it's time for us to help her! This is her story in her own words. Please help if you can! Any money raised will go toward her needs during these 6 months. Treatment, household bills, childcare, whatever she needs.

From Marinda:

On July 5, 2021 I had been experiencing extreme belly pain and was pooping only bright red blood, so I decided to go to the ER that night. I had a CT scan and the ER doctor could see the left side of my colon was inflamed. He suggested that I meet with Dr Mullins and have a colonoscopy.

July 14 I met with Dr Mullins he asked how I was feeling, if I still had diarrhea and if I had finished my antibiotic. I answered all of his questions and we scheduled a colonoscopy for Monday, July 26.

Fast forward to colonoscopy day. I patiently waited my turn, the nurses came to get me and off I went. I remember laying in my bed in recovery and Dr Mullins I’m sure said a lot more things to say but all I heard was ‘we found a tumor’. The next day I had an appointment with Dr Mullins to see what to do about said tumor. He said he was pretty sure it was cancer, he took a biopsy but either way it was coming out. Scheduled surgery that Friday.

Let me tell ya. 1 Covid swab on Sat morning, bowel prep Sunday, colonoscopy Monday. Covid swab number 2 Wednesday, bowel prep number 2 Thursday. Surgery Friday. It was a week.

Surgery went well. Removed the tumor, 6 inches of my colon, blood vessels and lymph nodes. They got it all and they caught it early. I am good to go.

Tuesday, Aug 10 I had a follow up appointment to see about this tumor. Stage 3 cancer! What? I thought it was early and you got it all. There was also cancer in the lymph nodes. I’m ONLY 35. How is this happening? Dr Mullins wants to refer me to an oncologist to see if I need further treatment.

Thursday Aug. 12 my mom and I go to UHC Oncology. Super nice place, my doctor and navigator were fantastic, made sure we understood everything. Result: 6 MONTHS of chemotherapy.

I am TERRIFIED. I'm a single mom, I have to work, I have a home. What am I supposed to do?

Every 2 weeks for 6 months I have to go to Clarksburg for a 3 hour infusion, come home with a chemo ball and home health will have to unhook me on Wednesdays.

Prayers for me and my daughter and my family. It is going to be a long hard 6 months. I have faith and I believe this is part of God's plan. I will learn and grow from this experience. I haven't worked since July 23rd and at this point I'm unsure of when I can go back.