Marie’s Fight for Life

A little back story: Mom was experiencing excess out of cycle bleeding, and some discomfort in her lower abdomen and lower back. She had serveral dizzy spells, and had trouble staying awake. And catching her breath. So I immediately called the doctors office to schedule an appointment. By the grace of God, they got her in the next day. 

On January 16th  mom had a urology appointment with Dr. Severino. During this doctors visit they did blood tests and a physical exam. They scheduled various future appointments. Mom left in high hopes that it was nothing serious. About 2 hours later as some of our close friends and family were enjoying dinner together we received a phone call from the doctors office regarding her blood tests. They told her to immediately go to the emergency room and that if she couldn’t make it there they would call an ambulance to transport her.  We left in worry and rushed to Memorial Medical Center. Mom was admitted for severe anemia and they stated she was then in critical condition. Her hemoglobin was a 5.2. The normal hemoglobin range for women is between  12.0 to 15.5 g/dL.  They did a CT scan & an MRI. Multiple blood transfusions were done to get her back to a stable condition. 

On January 17th Dr. Severino and his urology team informed us that a large mass was found on her left kidney as well as a mass found in her uterus. They discussed their plan and future appointments with us. After mom was stabilized, she was released. 

On January 21st mom had her first follow up appointment with Dr. Severino. During this appointment we were told the mass was Bosniak 4 and 100% malignant. Her treatment would be a radical nephrectomy. Which means to remove the entire kidney, uterer and adrenal gland. At this time they believed that doing so would fix the problem. They scheduled surgery for February 25th. The reasoning behind waiting a month was to do weekly blood transfusions to help stabilize and prepare mom for the surgery. 

On February 25th we woke up and began to mentally and physically prepare for moms surgery. We arrived to MMC to check mom in around 10:00 AM with the love and support of some of her lifelong, dearest friends and our family. They brought mom back to prep her for surgery around 11:00 AM. Shortly after, I was able to go in the back to see my mom before they took her down. She cracked a few jokes as always, and stayed in high spirits through the whole process. What a strong woman she is. Not long after, everyone else was allowed to come back and see mom as well. We all laughed and cried. And lastly we prayed for a positive outcome, for strength and a successful surgery. About 12:30 they started the anesthesia and took mom downstairs to begin. As we anxiously waited for texts and calls throughout the process, we were reassured often by the nurses that everything was going very well. Finally my step dad and I were called back to speak with the doctor. He was confident with proceedure and that everything went well! We went back out to wait with our friends and family to go see mom. She had a few complications and ended up spending about 4 hours in recovery trying to wake up from anesthesia. After surgery, mom was given 2 more blood transfusions. 

On Thursday February 28th mom was released in the evening and was home about 12 hours before experiencing uncontrollable pain, bleeding and vomiting. We returned to the emergency room on March 1st. She was then admitted again to help manage her pain with a higher dose of pain medications and to keep everything else under control. She was released Monday March 4th. 

On Thursday March 7th we received a call for a rushed doctors visit at 4:20 PM that same day instead of waiting for her March 29th follow up appointment. During this appointment with Dr. Severino we were informed that pathology confirmed the type and severity of her cancer. My mom was diagnosed with Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma. This is a rare type of kidney cancer, that chemo cannot cure. It’s very aggressive and can come back and attack different organs. At this time they believe to have gotten all of it with the removal of the kidney, uterer and adrenal gland. Dr. Severino stated that with the severity of this type of cancer, and the likelihood of it returning is VERY high. He gave my mom 3 Months to a year and told her if there was anything she’s wanted to do in her life now is the time to do it while she feels okay enough to do so. 

On March 12th my mom has her first oncology appointment at Springfield clinic. 

In hope to find different answers, prevention or a cure we have called Cancer Centers of America and my mom was accepted as a patient. We leave Sunday March 17th to go to Chicago. And they will run various tests Monday March 18th through Wednesday the 20th. 

The reason I am making this go fund me page is in hopes to share my moms story, to answer any questions you may have and to simply ask for help to cover the cost of living, doctors appontments, travel time between home and Chicago and treatment if we find it. January 15th the day before my mom was admitted to the hospital my step dad was laid off of work. This has been a very difficult time for my family financially, and mentally. I’d like to ask all of you for continued prayers, love and support. 

My mom is a very strong woman, and she’s such a fighter. I love you more than life itself mom. We will get through this.