Hollys Heroes- Helping Holly in her fight against Cancer

As Holly’s big sis, Im not just struggling with all that has transpired in the last week, but also in how to put it into words.

14 years ago my baby sis started a new career as a Respiratory Therapist. I gotta tell you she didn’t just “start” she excelled. She soon gained the respect from fellow RTs as well as physicians. She loved what she did and she loved her patients. Ive heard countless stories, after a hard shift, of some case where a patient wasn’t getting the care he needed or a patient themselves who was scared or lacked knowledge in their diagnosis. She educated others at every turn. When covid hit and EVERYONE was so afraid, even the medical professionals were understandably scared she still never missed a shift. She was literally front lines. As her big sister Ive never been so proud.

Last Friday while at work caring for others she received a call none of us ever wants to get. It was her doctor, after a routine colonoscopy and the removal of what we all thought was a polyp, her dr called to say it was cancer, melanoma, a very rare and aggressive form of melanoma. Over this past week, after many phone calls and an appt with her now local oncologist here is what we know.

Holly has mucosal melanoma of her rectum. It has sailed on thru stage 1. We are hopeful that we are stage 2 but don’t know yet. We have made, with her local physicians encouragement, the decision to go to MD Anderson. Hollys team has already been chosen and we will see the Dr in charge of her care Tuesday morning at 8:00. She will have several scans and labs on Tuesday. Wednesday after lunch we meet with her surgeon. We have been told to plan on surgery by end of week. This surgery could be anything from, more biopsies and checking margins of recently removed mass to holly coming home with a colostomy.

Depending on the scans and labs plus surgery will give us an idea of where we go next. The most important part is, she has a great fighting chance in kicking melanomas butt. Pardon the pun. For financial reasons her sweet husband is staying home to continue to work for this first trip. Your continued prayers are so important. Even with so many unknowns we have seen God working on an incredible testimony for Holly. MD Anderson is 6 hours 1 way so travel expenses are the immediate priority then second is her time off of work. Unfortunately due to some recent financial events their “emergency” fund was depleted. Please help my baby sister focus on her present battle, not having to worry about financial strains.

Please be in prayer for Holly, her husband, daughter and granddaughter as well as ever single medical professional that touches her case.

#melanoma #cancer #cancersucks #hollysheroes