Mimi Soltysik Cancer Relief Fundraiser

Hello friends, family and comrades:

I just want all of you to know that I see each and every contribution and I’m incredibly grateful. It would be very difficult for me right now to thank each of you individually, but I hope this note conveys my deepest thanks. 

Love to you all,
Mimi

<<< My Story>>>

Hello to all. My name is Mimi Soltysik and I  am writing to ask for your assistance with the medical expenses I am amassing due to my recent cancer/sarcoma diagnosis.

Last November, I reported to my primary care physician that I had  been having stomach aches just below my rib cage and he suggested that I get a CAT scan to find out what might be happening in that area. Two days later, I received a call from his office to let me know that I had a large mass in my liver that was surrounded by several smaller satellite masses. I was quickly referred to a highly-respected local oncologist who promptly ordered me a biopsy. 

While waiting for the biopsy, I started to bleed profusely from the inside and quickly made an appointment with my  general practitioner. He took a test and said I needed to go to the emergency room immediately and that I had  lost a tremendous amount of hemoglobin. I got to the emergency room and was immediately set on a course of blood transfusions. The doctors in the ER seemed to be fairly confident that  I may have colon cancer as well and a colonoscopy and endoscopy were both ordered. For the colonoscopy, I had to drink, for roughly 16 hours straight, a drink call "Golytely" to help my clean out my colon. In the meantime, my oncologist ordered a biopsy while he had me in the hospital.

What I learned from the colonoscopy was that I didn't have cancer but that I had a massive bleeding ulcer. At this point, I am thoroughly exhausted and starting to feel depressed. I went in for the scheduled biopsy, and found out that the liver tissue sampled was inconclusive, that much of  the tissue was necrotic. Time for  the next phase of diagnosis: the laproscopic liver biopsy.

Unfortunately, the laprospopic liver biopsy results also puzzled the oncologist and the surgeon and it was determined that I had either odd lymphoma or a low-grade sarcoma, both of which I was told were treated with relative ease. It was so puzzling that they had to refer the samples to specialists throughout the country to get their opinion. All of which was  fine with me, as the oncologist seemed pleased with the results, and if he was pleased, I should be pleased too, right?

Such was not to be the case. 

In February, I had to admit myself to the emergency room for fatigue. I had another CT scan, and was sent home with an anemia diagnosis and an order to start taking iron. But just a few days later, I received a call from the hospital's sarcoma department stating that I needed to start chemotherapy urgently and that what I had was called an "undifferentiated pleopmorphic sarcoma" and it was growing rapidly. It also couldn't be cured by surgery because of the satellite tumors. 

I began to take a rather harsh chemotherapy called "doxorubicin", started to lose my hair, became extremely constipated, developed mouth and throat soars (these have been occurring on a weekly basis), and massive fatigue set in. I take a CT scan every two to three weeks to determine my progress (it's been underwhelming to date), and we make adjustments accordingly.

Although the prognosis wasn't encouraging, I'm also not ready to give  in. If I'm going to have a chance, it's going to continue requiring a number of different treatment approaches. And the costs, which are already skyrocketing, are going to be incredible.

I have decent insurance through my wife's work, but I simply can not afford the out-of-pocket costs for the treatment I'll be needing. Just  prior to my diagnosis, I was preparing to find a second job to help with household expenses; now, holding a primary job is difficult. 

I am asking for  your assistance in helping me meet the financial obligations of this struggle. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. 

My initial goal is set at $75,000. If my costs exceed or are lower than that figure, I will make adjustments to the fundraiser. I will of course not accept any money that I won't  be using.

Your donation means the world to me.

With deep love and gratitude, 
Mimi