Fighting Like a Mother

Hello, my name is Andrea. I am Peggy's 4th child out of 6.

Back in November 2023, our mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. She has never smoked so this diagnosis was very difficult to accept.

In December, during her biopsy, she went into defib and needed to start blood thinners. After the biopsy, we learned it was stage 4 and had spread to her brain, lumphnoyds, and bones.

Through discussions with her oncology team, we were informed that besides smoking, the number one cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers is radon.

Because of this, it was decided to send her biopsy off to see what caused the lung cancer. It could have been environmental or it could have been a radical mutation within her own cells.

It was also agreed that she would do one round of radition on the cancer spots in her brain.

While we waited what seemed like months for the additional testing, we had her basement screened for radon. A normal and typical level of radon in a person's basement is 4 units. But mom had 21 units of radon. This was another huge surprise because she doesn't have a sub pump. My older brother and I believed it was not a mutation and she would have to receive traditional cancer treatment.

In January, we finally received the results of the additional biopsy testing. It was a mutation within the cells of her body. This meant immunotherapy was an option and she wouldn't have to go through chemo at this point.

Mom started her immunotherapy journey at the end of January 2024.

After starting, she started having episodes of coughing/vomitting blood, along with other issues that started to appear after starting the immunotherapy.

The worst and most noticeable change has been her short term memory, which seems to decline daily.

Due to the cancer in her bones, she has become slower in her mobility, as well as it just taking a physical toll on her body. She is operating basically on one lung so she becomes short of breathe with simple tasks, such as walking up and down the stairs.

She is at higher risk of falling. Her bones with become softer and weaker, as if she had osteoporosis. To help her bones stay healthy, she receives monthly bone infusions.

Now that it's been about 3 months on immunotherapy, she will go back in on April 17 and 18 for her quarterly MRI and PET scan to see if there are any changes with the cancer.

She will also have her labs drawn and her bone infusions done.

Her immunotherapy treatment is $200,000 a year, which is almost $20,000 a month. She has monthly lab draws and quarterly MRIs and PET scans to monitor the cancer.

Because of the various side effects she is experiencing, and just the overall toll cancer can have on a person's body, mom has not been able to work any hours since starting the immunotherapy.

Mom was also recently informed that she has until June 1, when her long term disability expires, or they plan on terminating her, but used her age as a reathe.

She is 70 years old and is employed as a full time employee. I am assuming they plan to do a "forced retirement," or something close to ths.

With all the stress of having cancer, accepting that it's stage 4 and inoperable, and that you have been given 3 years at most to live, she is now stressed and worried about finances.

When I approached our mom about a fundraiser to help her with medical bills and monthly expenses, she said no. She does not like being center of attention or asking for help.

But she has always been a helper and a giver, and it's her time to be helped and cared for by those who love her.

This gofundme will be used to assist her in maintaining her monthly bills so that she is able to maintain her independence for as long as possible and to assist with medical bills.

If you are unable to donate, we ask that you just keep her in your thoughts, and since she isn't working, maybe visit her or give her a call.

And because mom is also known for her delicious baked goods (cheesecakes, a variety of cakes, homemade dessert bars, pies, and so much more), my oldest brother has created a way for you to purchase some of her goodies with all of those profits, again, going towards her expenses. We will be posting more information about that soon.

Thanks to all of those who have been checking in on her since learning of her diagnosis, supporting her in various ways, and checking in with my brother and I, as we navigate this with our mom.

(the color to show support for those with lung cancer is white/peral)