Please share this so that we can get it out to as many people as possible. A few months ago, a nightmare started with a 3 a.m. phone call that your mother fell out of bed and is lying on the fall, she can’t get up. That nightmare grew increasingly worse and persists even now. To receive heart wrenching news from the reading of a brain MRI that your mom’s symptoms are due to brain cancer put the dagger right into my heart. I am reaching out on behalf of Rose Hook, my mother, who was recently diagnosed with Leptomeningeal brain cancer, a rare, aggressive form of brain cancer. It’s a secondary cancer, meaning it arises from cancer cells that have spread from a primary tumor elsewhere in the body which currently we are trying to discover.

Before the devastating news of her cancer diagnosis, Rose was a beloved mother and grandmother always on the go with endless energy. She found joy in the simple pleasures whether preparing delicious meals and treats for her family, meticulously tending to her clean home, the fun and camaraderie of bingo nights, and the spiritual nourishment of her church community. Her spirit was as vibrant as her zest for life.

Since her diagnosis, Rose has faced immense challenges, beginning with severe mobility and balance issues forcing the need for a walker, intense headaches, memory loss, whole body pain and weakness, extreme tiredness and exhaustion. She went from cleaning the entire house to becoming out of breath just walking herself to the bathroom in one month’s time. She was hospitalized for a week for extensive testing and evaluation followed by immediate brain radiation treatment called Proton therapy for a few weeks. This treatment was difficult for my mom because people with brain tumors need to wear a tight custom-fitted radiation mask during each treatment, which is secured to the table to prevent individuals from moving.

The road ahead with more radiation, CT scans, Pet scans, MRI’s and chemotherapy will be arduous and costly. The financial burden of mounting medical bills is adding immense stress during this already difficult time, impacting on her ability to focus solely on her recovery.

This GoFundMe is launched to help ease the financial strain on Rose. The funds raised will directly go towards covering ongoing medical bills and treatment, assisting with the necessary living expenses of groceries, gas, utilities, and her mortgage allowing her to focus on healing without the constant worry of financial hardship.

I want nothing more than to see my mother witness her grandchildren exchange their wedding vows and to one day become a Great Grandmother. Your support is humbly requested during this challenging time. Any donation would be a tremendous help and lift a significant weight off Rose's shoulders. Your kindness, compassion, and support are greatly appreciated as we rally around Rose Hook in her fight against brain cancer. Love you mom <3