In May of 2019, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Already suffering from COPD, she was not a candidate for surgery so she started radiation treatment just a few weeks later. For 18 months after her initial treatment ended everything was normal--until December of 2020 when her scan showed a suspicious mass. So 2 days before Christmas she underwent a PETScan and on January 11th she went in for a biopsy to see if the area was simply reactive tissue from her previous treatment or if cancer had returned.

Because of her compromised lung function, any procedure with anesthesia can be tricky for her, this time proved to be much more. She spent 5 days in ICU because after the procedure her oxygen levels would not stabilize. In order to get her numbers up, a bi-pap machine was used. Unfortunately, her weakened left lung could not handle the added air pressure and collapsed. Due to her oxygen levels still remaining dangerously low, the bi-pap was still needed and the excess air that was escaping her damaged lung created a condition called subcutaneous emphysema, where the air formed under her skin causing her chest, neck, and face to swell to its limits.

As it is with so many, the biopsy came back positive for recurring lung cancer and it had spread to the lymph nodes located in the center of her chest. Today, January 28 she is set to speak to her radiologist/oncologist to set up the 6 weeks of daily radiation and on Monday, February 1st she will find out what the plan is for the chemotherapy cycles they want her to complete.

Since returning home, she makes use of oxygen 24/7. The procedure and subsequent complications have caused her lung function to worsen and she finds herself uncomfortable sleeping. Because of her positioning, she sometimes finds it difficult to catch her breath when lying down and rarely sleeps through the night.

My mother was an RN for 48 years, all in the same hospital. She spent half of it as a bedside nurse and the other half as part of the discharge planning and utilization review team for patients. She devoted her life to comforting others and making sure they received the best care while in the hospital and all their needs were met once they left.

She is 74 years old and lives on a fixed income. Her treatment in 2019 left her with thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills that insurance didn't cover. She is anticipating those bills once again after this latest diagnosis and upcoming treatment.

No one deserves to suffer the terrible attacks of cancer and the treatments reigned down on the body. And to watch a loved one go through it is truly the most helpless feeling anyone can imagine. The upcoming months will be hard enough without worrying about money let alone her unknown future.

I am hoping through this GoFundMe, she will be able to purchase an electric bed frame and mattress that will allow her to raise up in bed without clumsy pillows that fall to the side leaving her slouched as she tries to sleep. I am also hopeful the worry of not breathing during her sleep will be lifted somewhat as her comfort improves due to the positioning a new bed will bring. Anything above the goal will go towards whatever portion of any uncovered medical expenses it can.

My family and I understand just how trying this past year has been for everyone and only ask you to donate if you can. If this fund can bring my mother peace of mind it will surely be a priceless gift and I will personally be forever grateful for your kindness and compassion.

Thank you in advance. Be well and stay safe.