Help Marie battle cancer

The photo you see is of my life long best friend Lisa and her mother Marie. Anyone who has ever met them know how kind hearted, caring, and generous they truly are. Marie has always had an open door policy in her home. She welcomed everyone and anyone with open arms and more than likely a plate of tomato and mozzarella haha! Lisa and Marie have always been very close and would spend many weekends gambling in AC or attending Bingo together. Family dinners were a must whenever possible or just simply hanging out with each other watching the Yankees! Marie had moved to Florida after her beloved husband Mac passed away from cancer 3 years ago, feeling the need to be closer to her siblings that were already out that way. This was hard for Lisa but she knew it was the best thing for her mother.

In recents months Marie had been dealing with abdominal pains that sent her to follow up at her local hospital. It was then that both Marie and Lisa would receive the news that would change their lives. Marie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The fear of her mother being alone was enough for Lisa to pack an bag and get on the next flight to Florida. She knew her wife would support her sudden decision and be more than understanding. leaving her wife and job to be with her mother Lisa was off to be with Marie in her urgent time of need. A few days later after several blood tests and scans, it was confirmed that Marie had stage 3 ovarian cancer and it had spread throughout her abdomen. A more thorough scan would show the cancer had spread to more than just her stomach and Colon. Marie would be scheduled for a very serious surgery to remove as much cancer as possible.

On Monday July 17th 2023 Marie was prepped for surgery, Lisa was told briefly what the surgery intended, but they wouldn’t be 100% certain what they would find until they were in the OR. The surgery would take a several hours leaving Lisa a nervous wreck as she sat alone in the hospital waiting for the drs to come out and tell her the surgery was a success. (Surgeons had removed more than 80% of her colon, 60% of intestines, her appendix, along with a full hysterectomy with uterus. They removed cancer from the bladder and the stomach, and multiple masses in the connective tissues of the abdomen) After 8hours of waiting Lisa was finally informed surgery was successful and Marie was in recovery. The news of hearing that the cancer had spread and affected more areas than they thought was gut retching but Lisa was told by the surgeon that they felt they had successfully removed 90% of the cancer. Marie would need 4 weeks to recover and then will need 8 rounds of chemo 21 days apart. She will lose her hair and her strength but never her will to keep going! Marie will also need a port surgically put in but that will be after she has healed a bit and before chemo.

Lisa’s wife back home in New Jersey is taking care of the animals and has now become the sole provider. Taking a financial hit, They went from a double income home to now a single income household and all responsibilities on her. With some help from myself and family members we have been able to help with some of their financial needs but it’s still not enough to pay rent for both Lisa’s house and her mothers. Medical expenses have already started to come in for Marie and late notices have been sent in regards to bills and car notes.

If there was ever a family who needed help and deserved it, it would be Lisa and her mother Marie. The ultimate goal is to bring Marie back home to New Jersey to live with Lisa and her wife and get all the medical attention she needs, but this can only be done with the help from you! Marie has always been a HUGE family person where no matter what time or day it was, she would be there. Marie made sure both her children Lisa and Dominick and her two step daughters Lisa & Marie knew that family was the most important and to cherish all they had. Marie has also been blessed with 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild who she loves and adores oh so much.

I am asking everyone to please pray, make a donation, and share this as much as possible!