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Mattson Medical Fund

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My husband and I met in 2007. We married on Feb 29 2008. Since then life has been a . . . challenge. Mark was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2011. We did surgery and chemo. To find out he had a 2nd unrelated Thyroid Cancer. Surgery and treatment. April 2013 we find out the colon cancer has metastasized to the lung.

Mark can be stubborn, a cut up. What he really doesn't want you to know that he is a sweetheart. That he volunteered for MDA here in Erie since the age of 16 - every Telethon up to 2011- over 30 years. When he was working - his vacation time was for Telethon.

We don't have kids. We have 3 furbabies. Mark was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration but worked until he couldn't drive. I (Tanya, wife) found out yesterday that my back injury is requiring surgery. Soon. Or more permanent damage than what I already have.

We have had a battle. Lots of help from friends and family - even though both of us are more comfortable as giver's than as receiver's. Mark has been upbeat, until now.

We literally have $10 in savings. $57 in checking and $180 left on our 1 credit card. We don't have money to eat, for meds. What we have will just barely cover our time for his surgery in Cleveland. $120 for gas, maybe 5 days of parking $50. I will be wandering napping on couches and chairs as he recovers. Which is fine for me - but he worries about my neck and back.

We are both devastated. We have fought so long. For so hard. He wants to cancel the surgery. I can't let him. But we have hit such a wall. Hospitals, Drs, friends, family have been so nice. We have a ton of payment plans for all the stuff we owe. But at this point - after fulfilling all those payment plans. Not much left for food, meds, gas - our current needs.

I was hoping to start an online Fine Art Photography business - but facing surgery myself and the inability to even take photographs due to pain. That was suppose to be our Saving Grace. And I can not do it. And even if I could physically - financially is a no go.

The photo below is how he looked at the start of Chemo this year. The photo above is during an office visit in November.
Mark has always been able to make me laugh. We aren't laughing much now.

He doesn't know that I am doing this. I can't let him cancel surgery and he can't stand the fact we are in more debt either of us wants to think about.

So I am hoping that the world will want to help us. We help as we can - Mark is still really involved in our computer group. He is smart, and funny, and I love him.

I am praying and counting on the generosity of those who read this to be our Saving Grace. And if you can not donate with money - we ask for your prayers.

Thank you,
Tanya Lee Mattson
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Donations 

  • Ed,& Kathy Umbach
    • $100 
    • 7 yrs
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Organizer

Tanya Lee Mattson
Organizer
Erie, PA

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