Inspiring Hope For Holly

Hello to Holly’s beloved friends and champions,   As many of you know, Holly’s world suddenly flipped upside down three weeks ago when she went to the doctor “just in case” due to a lingering virus which caused a fever and some rib pain. Holly had just returned from celebrating her younger daughter’s wedding on April 29th in Mexico.   She presumed the doctor would send her home with negative Covid test results and prescription for Jewish penicillin (chicken soup). Instead, based on elevated liver enzymes in her blood, the primary care physician sent her for an ultrasound followed by an urgent MRI of her chest and abdomen over the weekend.   The Devastating Diagnosis In the last week of May 2022, Holly was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that has already spread to her liver and some lymph nodes. The grieving process automatically began for Holly, her two daughters, and her family members. Extreme anxiety, fear, shock, sadness, anger — this list goes on. The timing of this tragic diagnosis added insult to injury in that Holly’s sister, Robin, lost her battle to ovarian cancer only six months ago. How could this be happening again, and so soon?   And, how do you comprehend what your doctor is telling you when you have otherwise been an extremely healthy, vibrant person your whole life? At 67, Holly has had zero health issues, no genetic history of cancer or other life-threatening diseases, doesn’t smoke or drink alcohol, and leads an active lifestyle.   Advocating for Holly: Holistic Care With their guts in their throats, Holly’s daughters, Lindsay and Jori, sprang into action in researching the best possible treatments to save their mother from this aggressive, late-stage cancer. They learned the disconcerting medical knowledge that chemotherapy alone – the “standard of care” for a patient with Holly’s diagnosis – will likely be insufficient to save Holly’s life.   With this merciless prognosis, Jori turned to her friend who has conducted years of research on integrative therapies and alternative treatments to supplement the “standard of care” due to her family member’s cancer diagnosis. Holly was referred to the Block Medical Center in Skokie, an integrative oncology facility, that treats the patient holistically and offers “you your best chances of successful treatment and cure . . . “ by following rigorous science-based methodologies. Specifically, the Block Medical Center team uses chronotherapy to target the cancer at its weakest based on Holly’s genetics, circadian rhythm and metabolism. (Learn more here about how the Block Medical Center "fights cancer on all fronts" please visit its website at: https://blockmd.com/).   The Block Medical Center’s mantra is that patients can live with cancer so long as it is stabilized. This is our goal for Holly.   Holly needs your help. Our ask to you: Unfortunately, Holly’s health insurance coverage – Medicare plus a robust supplemental BCBS plan – will only cover a fraction of the necessary holistic treatment.   Receiving integrative cancer treatment requires privilege. Holly and her family have been afforded many blessings in this lifetime, but they cannot shoulder the financial burden alone. Private medical centers may cost Holly upwards of $80,000 per year in order to fight this ultimate uphill battle.   We are asking for any financial support that you would feel comfortable with providing so as to make a dent in this astronomical price tag.   While Holly and her Niles North Classmates of 1972 are celebrating their 50th high school reunion this month, Holly is only 67 years “young.” She is grandmother of two, a mother of two, an aunt to several, and a friend to many. She cannot be another statistic to pancreatic cancer. It simply is not her time.   We thank you in advance for helping in any way possible, financially or otherwise. We have so much appreciation for Holly’s army of friends who have supported Holly and her family during these first few devastating weeks. We could not take on this journey without you.   With love and gratitude,   Friends of Holly (Endorsed by Lindsay and Jori, her daughters)