Rain's 6th Battle

This is Mom’s 6th battle with cancer, and as you can imagine this has come as a great spiritual, emotional, and financial shock to our entire family. Cancer is one of the scariest words on this planet, and it never gets easier hearing the words “You have cancer.” On July 25th of this year, my mom heard those words for the 6th time. Stage 3a adenocarcinoma lung cancer in the upper right lobe of her lung. This cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and she is now undergoing chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and an upcoming lobectomy to remove 1/3rd of her lung.

Rain’s first diagnosis came in 1996, while she was pregnant with her daughter. It was cervical cancer, which swiftly ended her dream for a bigger family. Always accepting and humbled by God's plan, Mom took this in stride and walked the path that God provided her. As many of you know, this path led to many beautiful blessings and people that she is thankful for every day.

The second diagnosis was Breast cancer in 1999. This marked the first life diagnosis through her several cancer journeys. The doctor informed her that she had a life expectancy of 2 years, even with treatment and surgical intervention. Yet she has exceeded this limit 10 times over.

In 2008 she was diagnosed with a chest wall Sarcoma, and was again given a “maximum life expectancy of 5 years”. Alongside the Sarcoma, she was told of her Thyroid cancer diagnosis which she has had multiple occurrences throughout the years. Also, she was able to have a sweat gland tumor removed in 2018. Throughout these battles, Mom has relied heavily on her faith, family, and friends to continue fighting time and time again.

After so many cancer battles between Rain, her brother Rory who lost his battle with brain cancer in 2018, and her Mother Gloria who lost her battle with colon cancer in 1986, her oncologist suggested a genetic test be done to determine if she had any genetic mutation that might be a contributing factor to these several battles with cancer. When the results came back, it was determined that Rain tested positive for Li-Fraumeni. This is a genetic disorder that causes you to be more susceptible to different cancers. She has been very outspoken about this genetic mutation and an advocate to make testing accessible to more people who share similar stories with her.

Li-Fraumeni limits treatment options with new cancer diagnoses, as chemotherapy and radiation can cause further mutations and the creation of cancers in her body. This brings us to today, a new cancer, a new battle, and new hardships to navigate. Specifically with mom not being a candidate for radiation, and the double-edged sword that is chemotherapy to treat her Lung Cancer. Trying to give the minimum amount of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and needing to rely on surgery more. Unfortunately with this aggressive approach to her lung cancer, there is a likelihood of new cancers surfacing in the future.

Rain is a pillar of activism and selflessness, routinely working alongside our houseless community as a volunteer nurse, and caregiver to our most vulnerable and beautiful members of our community. Rain has spent extensive time on a community team battling inequity and fighting for accessible health care and necessities for all.

We are setting an initial goal of $15,000 to alleviate a small portion of the financial strain. This would cover Rain’s genetic testing, Imaging, Biopsies, and Oncology visit bills that have begun to build up. Rain and her spouse are having to take large gaps in work due to the extensive doctor's visits, labs, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy that Rainy has begun for this current battle. Not to mention the physical and mental strain that they are both under at this time, also affecting their ability to maintain a full-time job.

Our main goal / the main ask from Mom is for a prayer chain and to bring awareness to genetic mutations like Li-Fraumeni. We are asking for prayers and words of encouragement to uplift her and if it’s in your heart, an encouraging scripture that may have helped you through something difficult. Please share a prayer or your favorite scripture for Rain and help us spread love and the word of Jesus Christ.

Cancer is a daunting battle, if you or a loved one are faced with similar hardship, please know that our hearts are with you always. We are with you in spirit, every step of the way.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.