Help Judy Fight St. 4 Breast Cancer
Donation protected
It is very difficult to express our thoughts in words. Throughout the last decade, we have had the misfortune of watching our mother, Judy Kojadinovich, struggle with health issue after health issue. About ten years she was diagnosed with type I diabetes. Around that same time, she started to experience severe headaches, and as a result, had two brain surgeries. Nearly three years ago, we found out our mother was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer which quickly advanced to stage 4 when tumors spread to her lymph nodes, rib cage, spine, liver, and brain.
Although she has been incredibly resilient as she has beaten many of these tumors, cancer has repeatedly made its way back to her brain. Over the past several months she has undergone four separate gamma knife radio-surgeries to her brain to keep cancer at bay. During her most recent gamma knife surgery a few weeks ago, they targeted 38 new tumors in her brain.
Throughout this whole experience, she has never complained and always kept a positive attitude and outlook on life. She has always stayed strong for us and told us not to worry. This was particularly hard for us to do as it seemed every phone call we got from her or our dad came bearing bad news. Despite this, she would continue to try and reassure us and encourage us not to give up hope.
Our mother spent years working as a social worker with mentally handicapped patients in nursing homes. She provided love and support to people who didn’t have anyone else. She is a natural caregiver and has the biggest heart of anyone we know. She taught us how to love unconditionally and always give to others. Watching her progressively get worse to the point of no longer being able to walk without help has been heartbreaking.
Over the past two to three months, her health has rapidly deteriorated. While the gamma knife surgeries were able to kill cancer in her brain temporarily, it seems the side effects from these surgeries have taken its toll. After each surgery, she has experienced loss of brain function and coordination. More recently she has been experiencing prolonged focal seizures as a result of this treatment. It is to the point where she is no longer able to continue with this type of treatment, and she can no longer remain at home unsupervised. Right now, her body is very weak.
As a result, she has been taken off chemotherapy for the time being. We are hoping and praying that during this time, she can regain some of her strength while we look into other chemotherapy drugs or alternative treatment options.
Our father is the handsome man next to our mother. He has been her rock throughout all of this, always there to love and support her. He keeps her motivated to eat, and not be concerned with finances. He has cleaned the house since she has been too weak. He cooks for her since she is no longer able to. He works overnight shifts to be there for her during the day. He has taken her to countless appointments. He has probably slept in his car outside the doctor’s office more than he has in his own bed over the years. He has been just as strong as she has. This continues to be an incredibly difficult and painful situation, but through my parents’ faith and ability to stay positive, we have found the strength to keep moving.
Cancer is overwhelming, but life and bills are never put on hold. She has fought for so long and so hard but it has reached a point where it is finally time to ask for help. Please help my dad and our family by taking away some stress. So we don’t have to worry about work or bills. So we can just be with her.
We will keep everyone posted on her progress as we take on each day. Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts.
Thank you for your kindness and support.
Mail: 313 N. Ninth Street Philipsburg PA, 16866
Although she has been incredibly resilient as she has beaten many of these tumors, cancer has repeatedly made its way back to her brain. Over the past several months she has undergone four separate gamma knife radio-surgeries to her brain to keep cancer at bay. During her most recent gamma knife surgery a few weeks ago, they targeted 38 new tumors in her brain.
Throughout this whole experience, she has never complained and always kept a positive attitude and outlook on life. She has always stayed strong for us and told us not to worry. This was particularly hard for us to do as it seemed every phone call we got from her or our dad came bearing bad news. Despite this, she would continue to try and reassure us and encourage us not to give up hope.
Our mother spent years working as a social worker with mentally handicapped patients in nursing homes. She provided love and support to people who didn’t have anyone else. She is a natural caregiver and has the biggest heart of anyone we know. She taught us how to love unconditionally and always give to others. Watching her progressively get worse to the point of no longer being able to walk without help has been heartbreaking.
Over the past two to three months, her health has rapidly deteriorated. While the gamma knife surgeries were able to kill cancer in her brain temporarily, it seems the side effects from these surgeries have taken its toll. After each surgery, she has experienced loss of brain function and coordination. More recently she has been experiencing prolonged focal seizures as a result of this treatment. It is to the point where she is no longer able to continue with this type of treatment, and she can no longer remain at home unsupervised. Right now, her body is very weak.
As a result, she has been taken off chemotherapy for the time being. We are hoping and praying that during this time, she can regain some of her strength while we look into other chemotherapy drugs or alternative treatment options.
Our father is the handsome man next to our mother. He has been her rock throughout all of this, always there to love and support her. He keeps her motivated to eat, and not be concerned with finances. He has cleaned the house since she has been too weak. He cooks for her since she is no longer able to. He works overnight shifts to be there for her during the day. He has taken her to countless appointments. He has probably slept in his car outside the doctor’s office more than he has in his own bed over the years. He has been just as strong as she has. This continues to be an incredibly difficult and painful situation, but through my parents’ faith and ability to stay positive, we have found the strength to keep moving.
Cancer is overwhelming, but life and bills are never put on hold. She has fought for so long and so hard but it has reached a point where it is finally time to ask for help. Please help my dad and our family by taking away some stress. So we don’t have to worry about work or bills. So we can just be with her.
We will keep everyone posted on her progress as we take on each day. Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts.
Thank you for your kindness and support.
Mail: 313 N. Ninth Street Philipsburg PA, 16866
Organizer and beneficiary
Greg Kojadinovich
Organizer
Philipsburg, PA
Gregory Kojadinovich
Beneficiary
