Fund for Melissa's children
Donation protected
Melissa's Healing Journey
My 29-year-old niece Melissa was originally diagnosed in April 2015 with Stage 1b1 Small Cell Cervical Cancer. This is a very rare and aggressive form of cervical cancer and affects less than 3% of all women diagnosed with cervical cancer. Thus there has been less research into this type. Melissa’s two sons Caleb and Nolan were only 4 years and 1 year old, respectively, when she was diagnosed. Melissa underwent a complete hysterectomy in May 2015 and started chemotherapy in June 2015. She completed 4 rounds of chemo and 28 radiation sessions that summer. All scans had been clear since September of 2015, but a recent PET scan shows Stage 4 recurrence of Small Cell Neuroendocrine tumors, present in her liver and lungs with metastasis to her spine and hip bone, as well as a few mediastinal lymph nodes. Melissa weighs only 90 pounds. Recently her appetite has been very poor, and she has had a chronic dry cough. She started 2 rounds of chemotherapy this past Monday, June 26, 2017. Her oncologist has explained to her that her options are chemotherapy or an immunotherapy trial if her cancer has genetic mutations. This time she plans to try alternative medicine treatments also, as she feels they offer the best hope for a cure. Since her insurance plan only covers conventional medical care, any alternative treatment costs will have to come out of her own pocket. She and her partner Greg are of limited means. Melissa is now taking some sick leave from her job on the kitchen crew at a hospital in Spokane, WA. Soon it will be all used up. Her family will lose her earnings, along with her leadership role in the family while she is trying to recover from this deeply serious setback in her health. Melissa lost her own mother to an untimely death when she was only 9 years old, and one of her 3 brothers a few years later. She has been a major support for her twin brother, who was diagnosed with autism and schizophrenia. Her father relies on Social Security Disability Income and cares for Melissa’s two young sons while she works. In summary, Melissa and her family are really in need of support from caring donors to assist in this difficult healing journey. Both financial and prayer support are appreciated.
My 29-year-old niece Melissa was originally diagnosed in April 2015 with Stage 1b1 Small Cell Cervical Cancer. This is a very rare and aggressive form of cervical cancer and affects less than 3% of all women diagnosed with cervical cancer. Thus there has been less research into this type. Melissa’s two sons Caleb and Nolan were only 4 years and 1 year old, respectively, when she was diagnosed. Melissa underwent a complete hysterectomy in May 2015 and started chemotherapy in June 2015. She completed 4 rounds of chemo and 28 radiation sessions that summer. All scans had been clear since September of 2015, but a recent PET scan shows Stage 4 recurrence of Small Cell Neuroendocrine tumors, present in her liver and lungs with metastasis to her spine and hip bone, as well as a few mediastinal lymph nodes. Melissa weighs only 90 pounds. Recently her appetite has been very poor, and she has had a chronic dry cough. She started 2 rounds of chemotherapy this past Monday, June 26, 2017. Her oncologist has explained to her that her options are chemotherapy or an immunotherapy trial if her cancer has genetic mutations. This time she plans to try alternative medicine treatments also, as she feels they offer the best hope for a cure. Since her insurance plan only covers conventional medical care, any alternative treatment costs will have to come out of her own pocket. She and her partner Greg are of limited means. Melissa is now taking some sick leave from her job on the kitchen crew at a hospital in Spokane, WA. Soon it will be all used up. Her family will lose her earnings, along with her leadership role in the family while she is trying to recover from this deeply serious setback in her health. Melissa lost her own mother to an untimely death when she was only 9 years old, and one of her 3 brothers a few years later. She has been a major support for her twin brother, who was diagnosed with autism and schizophrenia. Her father relies on Social Security Disability Income and cares for Melissa’s two young sons while she works. In summary, Melissa and her family are really in need of support from caring donors to assist in this difficult healing journey. Both financial and prayer support are appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Suzanne Elaine
Organizer
San Diego, CA
Melissa Kent
Beneficiary
