On July 18, 2025, our beloved mom, Lise Michaels, woke up with numbness on her left side and lost the ability to speak. Rushed to the ER, scans revealed a mass in her brain. On August 13th, she underwent a biopsy, and just a week later, we received the devastating diagnosis: grade 4 Glioblastoma — a rare and aggressive brain cancer.

Because of the tumor’s location, surgery isn’t an option without risking severe damage to healthy brain tissue. Genetic testing revealed that her tumor is even more aggressive and resistant to standard chemotherapy treatments.

Despite these challenges, our mom has already begun advanced holistic therapies, including sessions in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. There are promising immunotherapy treatments available abroad—particularly in Germany—that offer hope, such as CeGat, Dendritic Cell, and IOZK, which provide personalized cancer-fighting immunotherapy vaccines. Unfortunately, these treatments are not covered by insurance and come with a very high price tag.

Our mom is receiving her treatment at MD Anderson Cancer hospital in Houston, Texas. They have an amazing brain cancer program and the care she is receiving has been top-notch. On September 24th, she was scheduled to begin a great clinical trial. She had an air bnb and everything set up to relocate to Houston.

On September 21st, she suffered another seizure and was rushed to the ER, where she was admitted to the neuro ICU. That first night, she endured two back-to-back seizures and had to be intubated. Doctors placed her in a medically induced coma, where she remained until Thursday, September 25th.

Since waking up, she's been slowly regaining her strength. She's now using a walker but can only manage about 40 steps before needing a wheelchair. The high doses of seizure medication have been taking a toll but her doctors remain hopeful that her body will adjust over time.

On Monday, September 29th, she was able to fly to Houston to start the clinical trial. However, during her first appointment, we received heartbreaking news: she no longer qualifies for the clinical trial she was supposed to begin. This was a devastating setback. She will still stay in Houston at MD Anderson to receive the standard of care which is radiation and chemo.

Since we live in Florida the cost of hotel stays, flights, food and Uber have really begun to add up. She has not been able to work since July and our dad isn’t able to work as she needs 24/7 care. We have decided to put up a GoFundMe to help with these expenses and the treatments that insurance will not cover. We know this is going to be a difficult time emotionally, spiritually and financially and would appreciate all your good thoughts and prayers. If you’re able to help with expenses that’s very much appreciated, but prayers are also quite valuable.

Anyone who knows our mom knows she has a heart of gold—always putting others first and going out of her way to care for those around her. She’s a bright, positive spirit who brings joy to everyone she meets. She is always helping others in the community including her time spent dispatching for the highway patrol and sheriff’s office. The loss of her brother in December 2024 was deeply painful, and the emotional weight, lack of support and theft from his estate has taken a significant toll on her health.

When we discussed making this Go Fund Me my mom wanted us to add a line: “I want everyone to know and to understand I am fighting. With everything in me I am fighting. Every appointment, every scan, every pill, every therapy — they are all battlegrounds where I keep showing up. I am a warrior and I will give this every ounce of fight I have in me.”

Every donation, no matter how small, means the world to us. This is a heartbreaking journey, and we know we cannot do it alone. Your generosity will give our mom a chance to access the treatments she needs. If you’re unable to donate, please know that your prayers, well wishes, and positive thoughts mean the world to us. Even simply sharing this GoFundMe page can make a big difference by helping us reach others who may be able to help. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a part of our moms journey and for helping us keep hope alive.

Our mom is very tired and weak right now, so she isn’t able to handle many texts or calls. Any well wishes and prayer cards can be sent to our mom at the PO box below. We will be checking this regularly.

Lise Michaels

P.O. box 903

Odessa FL 33556

With love and gratitude,

Kelly Reichling and Ashley Michaels