Stand by Coleen Knoepke: A Caregiver in Need

Angiosarcoma is a very rare cancer, which is my sister, Coleen Knoepke's 2nd cancer diagnosis in less than 5 years.

Secondary to radiation treatment from breast cancer treatment which was, or so we thought, successful. The radiation has caused a new rare and very painful type of cancer to grow under her skin where the beam of treatment was focused. Fast growing, she found a sore spot in November and now has multiple other sites growing in that same area.

Chemotherapy has begun, bringing its own maladies of severe nausea, bone and joint pain (especially at night), vomiting, diarrhea, and other side effects. While not unexpected, they are leaving her unable to maintain her strength and stamina.

Coleen has gladly spent her life in service to others. A certified nursing assistant, preceptor, and then pharmacy tech certified, she spent 37 years at a local nursing home on the PM shift.

When her husband became critically ill, she took a leave of absence to care for him until his death four years ago.

Now her only financial support, she was dual employed until her recent treatment began. Again in service to others, she found the perfect job for herself as a program assistant for an adult day care where she uses her gentle nature, kind and cheerful heart to engage, bathe, and feed participants. Coleen's secondary employment until recently was caring for a handicapped local woman with a neuromuscular disease.

As is Coleen's nature, she cares deeply about all of the people in her purview, prompting a former 100-year-old resident to remark, "The Queen of England must not receive better care than you give!"

Continuing to work between appointments and treatments, Coleen will soon be required to stay in Rochester, MN for at least a 5-week period for daily proton radiation and continuation of chemotherapy. She shall not be able to work during this phase of her treatment which shall be followed closely by a double mastectomy. The large margins of healthy tissue required to be left will almost certainly involve skin grafts from other body areas to cover the massive trauma that will be a result of cancerous tissue removal. A complex and large surgery, recovery is predicted to take several months of pain and therapy.

An adored sister, beloved auntie, incredible sister-in-law, Coleen is a constant source of calm and joy to relatives and her many good friends. The thought of her needing assistance with financial issues over her long confinement is of great concern. We shall, of course, care for her body, mind, home, and kitties; but it would be a great relief to her and the family if you could donate financially or leave a few kind words of cheer. Grateful to you all for your attention & consideration as we journey together toward the ultimate goal of renewed health and strength for this most remarkable woman.