Maria Choi

My dear sister, Maria Choi, was diagnosed with stage 4 Triple Negative Breast Cancer in December 2016. She completed chemotherapy in the Spring of 2017, which contributed to shrinking down the tumor in her breast significantly. Maria was in the process of starting radiation in May when she started getting frequent headaches. She had an MRI and found out that she had three brain tumors. She had her first brain surgery in May, just after Mother's Day. Maria then had radiation on her brain in June. At the beginning of July, Maria had a seizure. Another MRI was done and her doctor informed her that she was bleeding internally, so her second brain surgery was performed to remove excess necrotic tissue. Three weeks later, she had another MRI and it was discovered that all three tumors were growing back. Her third brain surgery was performed at the end of July. When Maria awoke, she was paralyzed on the left side of her body. It was extremely difficult for her to go from being so fiercely independent to being bed ridden. Maria was in the hospital for about 9 weeks due to various complications and we were finally able to bring her home the last week of September. After a week at home, Maria went back into the hospital on Monday October 2nd due to having uncontrollable pain. She had a seizure while in the hospital on Monday and was still lucid until Tuesday afternoon. By Wednesday, she was unable to talk but could still moan when she was in pain - which was very frequent. Another MRI was performed and we found out on Thursday October 5th that the cancer had spread out throughout her brain and was aggressively growing. Her doctor told me that she had days to weeks left. We were able to get Maria home again on Saturday October 7th. Up until October 7th, Maria was only taking Tylenol (at her request). She was given Morphine on the evening of October 7th, due to having extreme uncontrollable pain. She was finally calm early Sunday morning. Maria passed away on Monday October 9th at 9pm, surrounded by family and loved ones. She fought a fierce battle for so long and we are immensely relieved that she is no longer feeling pain. We are beyond grateful for any donations - all funds will be going towards her funeral costs and then any remaining funds will go to her 17 year old daughter, Alyssa Choi, who is planning to attend college in the Fall of 2018. Thank you so much!!