Donation protected
What if you found out that you needed Chemo every single day for the rest of your life. Would you want to stress out about money? Worry about how you’ll pay for your bills, support and feed your children, your meds, the chemo you were just told you need to survive for as long as you survive? Or would you want to focus on fighting for your life, as you try living your life as best you can while trying to enjoy your kids as much as humanly possible? If given the choice, you’d opt for choice number two, right? We all would. But unfortunately, we don’t all get that choice.
We at The Lil’ Mamas are working to help our Mama, Michelle, get as close to choice number two as we possibly can, and we hope you’ll join us.
Michelle was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma (breast cancer) at the age of 36 after just getting divorced. Being a single mom of 2 in the prime of her life, cancer was the last thing on her mind. Michelle had chemo from November 4, 2014 until February 14, 2015. She then a double mastectomy with reconstruction. Then came 28 sessions of radiation. Michelle was sure her life would be hers again when it was all over, but after just two years of NED ( no evidence of disease) the cancer snuck into her femur bone.
The diagnosis was stage 4 metastatic bone cancer with a 2 centimeter tumor. Our warrior Michelle then did 10 rounds of radiation and oral chemo pills for upkeep. Feeling very nauseous and vomiting daily, she couldn't figure out what was happening. Then new tests revealed a tumor lesion on her liver. Official diagnosis: Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in the liver. While treatments worked for the liver the growth in the femur continues to grow rapidly and is now at an unbelievable 10 centimeters. Going forward, Michelle will now receive Taxol once a week with just one break a month for the rest of of her life.
Fighting this horrendous disease for the past 5 years has, of course, taken a toll on Michelle’s mental and physical self. Every day is a struggle to get the basics done. And yet Michelle remains positive for her 14 year old son and 19 year old daughter who have also been effected by the cancer and are forever changed. Michelle’s new husband - an amazing man named Ryan - is also fighting this battle with her. Having no kids of his own, Michelle never thought someone would have any interest in taking on a single mom of two - let alone stick around after a cancer diagnosis. Michelle and Ryan had a good 3 years together enjoying a care free life before the 2014 diagnosis smacked them in the face. But Ryan has been by Michelle’s side through it all.
The gruesomeness of chemo, the surgery, and radiation treatments. Ryan will continue to be Michelle’s rock no matter what! Because that is true love!
At this point, Michelle and Ryan are really struggling with trying to balance chemo, kids, and keeping their heads above water. Michelle is unable to work due to treatments and the subsequent sickness, and with Ryan being her caretaker while also helping with the kids, he is unable to stay consistent with his work hours. The stress this is causing the both of them is beyond imaginable. Money won’t fix everything. It won’t heal Michelle. It won’t make it so that she doesn’t have to go to chemo anymore. But it WILL help her focus on her fight and on her kids. Every little bit will help. Every share of this fund will help.
So please….. help.
#MAMAFAMILYFOREVER
XO,
The Mamas
We at The Lil’ Mamas are working to help our Mama, Michelle, get as close to choice number two as we possibly can, and we hope you’ll join us.
Michelle was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma (breast cancer) at the age of 36 after just getting divorced. Being a single mom of 2 in the prime of her life, cancer was the last thing on her mind. Michelle had chemo from November 4, 2014 until February 14, 2015. She then a double mastectomy with reconstruction. Then came 28 sessions of radiation. Michelle was sure her life would be hers again when it was all over, but after just two years of NED ( no evidence of disease) the cancer snuck into her femur bone.
The diagnosis was stage 4 metastatic bone cancer with a 2 centimeter tumor. Our warrior Michelle then did 10 rounds of radiation and oral chemo pills for upkeep. Feeling very nauseous and vomiting daily, she couldn't figure out what was happening. Then new tests revealed a tumor lesion on her liver. Official diagnosis: Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in the liver. While treatments worked for the liver the growth in the femur continues to grow rapidly and is now at an unbelievable 10 centimeters. Going forward, Michelle will now receive Taxol once a week with just one break a month for the rest of of her life.
Fighting this horrendous disease for the past 5 years has, of course, taken a toll on Michelle’s mental and physical self. Every day is a struggle to get the basics done. And yet Michelle remains positive for her 14 year old son and 19 year old daughter who have also been effected by the cancer and are forever changed. Michelle’s new husband - an amazing man named Ryan - is also fighting this battle with her. Having no kids of his own, Michelle never thought someone would have any interest in taking on a single mom of two - let alone stick around after a cancer diagnosis. Michelle and Ryan had a good 3 years together enjoying a care free life before the 2014 diagnosis smacked them in the face. But Ryan has been by Michelle’s side through it all.
The gruesomeness of chemo, the surgery, and radiation treatments. Ryan will continue to be Michelle’s rock no matter what! Because that is true love!
At this point, Michelle and Ryan are really struggling with trying to balance chemo, kids, and keeping their heads above water. Michelle is unable to work due to treatments and the subsequent sickness, and with Ryan being her caretaker while also helping with the kids, he is unable to stay consistent with his work hours. The stress this is causing the both of them is beyond imaginable. Money won’t fix everything. It won’t heal Michelle. It won’t make it so that she doesn’t have to go to chemo anymore. But it WILL help her focus on her fight and on her kids. Every little bit will help. Every share of this fund will help.
So please….. help.
#MAMAFAMILYFOREVER
XO,
The Mamas
Organizer
Celia Behar
Organizer
Portland, OR