Marivi's Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer

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MEAL TRAIN FOR OUR FAMILY

CARING BRIDGE FOR UPDATES

Dear family, friends, and community:

I am writing this message with a very heavy heart on behalf of my best friend and mom, Marivi Santiago (or as most of you may know her as, Marv).

On Sunday March 5, 2023, my mom went to the Emergency Room with complaints of shoulder and abdominal pain. After running a CT scan of her chest, abdomen, and pelvis, we were given the unfortunate news that her medical team suspected she had metastatic cancer. She was then admitted for further testing and evaluation. After being hospitalized for 9 days, we were informed on March 15 that my mom has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma with liver metastasis.

Pancreatic cancer, especially adenocarcinoma, is historically known to be an extremely aggressive type of cancer as it is often found at a very late stage, just as in my mom’s case. While our hearts are heavy as we write this message, we are still full of hope for better days to come and that she will respond well to treatment. Asking for help is definitely an uncomfortable thing to do, but we are slowly learning to not be afraid to do so as we know our Marv cannot fight this battle alone. I am hopeful that she may be reminded of the support system she has through this message reaching her friends, family, and anyone that has had the pleasure of crossing paths with her.

Myself (22), my older brother (23), little brothers (17), and my father are learning how to navigate our lives with her new diagnosis. This has been an extremely emotionally tolling period for our family. While we don’t know what the future holds, we know that she is being followed by an amazing medical team and hope to have an army of supporters standing behind her. The rest must be placed in God’s hands. Prayers are requested as she is set to begin a very aggressive chemotherapy treatment regimen next week.

We thank you in advance for providing assistance to our family during this extremely difficult time. Any donations made will be used to cover treatment costs and any other expenses related to her diagnosis. If you are not in a position to donate, we kindly ask that you pray for her healing and pass this page along so that it may reach others, and begin Marv’s army of support. God bless you all.

With love and Mary in All Things,

Bri Santiago