Dear friends and family, the Silk family has just been given some very difficult news. Melissa has been diagnosed with a grade IV Glioblastoma of her right frontal lobe. This is a very aggressive form of brain cancer and she is only beginning what will be a very long, hard journey.
On April 23, 2021, Melissa began experiencing numbness in her left fingers that spread through her hand and eventually developed into tremors and the complete loss of the use of her left hand. At that point some facial paralysis was also apparent. On June 10, Melissa had a CT scan of the brain at Morristown Memorial ER that showed a 3.5 cm mass in her right frontal lobe (with the presence of a smaller satellite mass) and she was immediately admitted into Morristown Memorial. Upon admission, several MRI's confirmed the tumor was most likely malignant, causing the seizures and issues with the left side of her body.
Melissa was discharged from Morristown Memorial and consulted with the neurosurgeons at Hackensack University Medical Center. Thankfully, she was able to attend both boys graduation ceremonies prior to her craniotomy which was performed on June 23. The surgeon successfully removed the large tumor and confirmed a diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme. In typical Melissa fashion, she kicked surgery's ass and recovered like a champ! She is now home, in good spirits and ready to fight this!
The team of surgeons and oncologists at the John Theurer Cancer Center, have begun treatment planning which will start with IMRT targeted radiation the end of July. Radiation will be followed with chemotherapy and possibly immunotherapy, as soon as the rest of her tumor testing is complete. There are some amazing new options and clinical trials that she may qualify for and we are hopeful she will be a candidate.
Our goal is to raise enough funds that there will be no financial burden on the Silk family throughout this fight, so that Melissa can focus all her energy on healing. With medical expenses, the loss of Melissa's income and expected costs that will arise to help care for Gavin, while Melissa is under treatment EVERY PENNY COUNTS!
At this time we will not be organizing any meal trains or food deliveries however, door dash, grub hub, uber eats and local dining gift cards are welcome and very much appreciated.
Please email any e-cards to [email redacted]
text any e-codes to [phone redacted]
or mail to: Silk Family c/o Dayle Tuna 74 Old Middletown Road Wharton, NJ 07885
Thank you, please donate if you can and share, share, share!!!!!
#NOTTODAY