On November 22nd, 2024, my mom had a seizure while driving- first time in her life (she is only 66 years old). Up to this point, my mom was thriving and healthy, even working full time on her feet for 12 hours a day... and LOVED it! She has always been the productive, early bird type. I prayed the seizure was just that, nothing more. Hours after the car accident, we were told that a tumor was present on the left side of her brain and the pressure being caused by the tumor's growth was applying pressure to her skull, and the reason for the seizure.

After medical visits with specialists and having one scan after another done, we were told the worst news possible- my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Initially, I was not extremely worried because my mom is the strongest woman I have ever known- she has already been through more difficult situations and has always come out of it stronger. I am the only family member my mom has in South Carolina, so I was able to contact my dad and older brother in Mississippi to coordinate a treatment plan. We found James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University Medical Center where they had a new type of cancer treatment that uses protons to treat the cancer cells. Thankfully, the medical center is located in Columbus, Ohio, where the rest of our extended families reside and we are originally from (my mom’s identical twin sister lives less than a ten-minute drive away).

After her diagnosis, my dad and I were concerned becaus mom's actions and statements made us have the opinion that she was already surrendering and continued organizing and packing her life into boxes, handing her belongings down to me- I was in denial about the seriousness of this cancer (I cannot even type this without crying). The one piece of information I unknowingly avoided asking anyone about was the specific type of cancer my mom was diagnosed with.

Sallie was JUST HERE! AT HOME! In the Carolinas! Violet and I were patiently waiting for her return to celebrate Mother's Day this weekend but when she returned to Ohio for what was only suppose to be one week, she is still in Ohio while I am here (one of the major concerns I have had because I do not have money to be able to buy plane tickets to get myself and the kids up to Columbus to spend what limited time is left with my mom- I can't even afford one ticket for myself right now).

My mom’s health condition declined drastically last week when returning to Ohio (she was only supposed to be in Columbus for one week). I finally had the courage to ask my brother to provide me with the medical term for the cancer mom is diagnosed with and he responded by text with the term, ‘Glioblastoma’. This is a malignant brain tumor in adults, often described as a grade IV brain tumor due to its rapid growth and invasive nature (supplemental resource sheet attached describing a detailed explanation of the cancer to help better understand why my mom’s condition deteriorated so drastically).

My mom was only supposed to go back to Ohio for one week, but she had another seizure after they took her off her steroid medication. She is now unable to verbally communicate, even by phone, so my heart is breaking not being able to see her, communicate with her, and all I want to do is hold my mom and spend as much time with her as possible- this cancer is aggressive and I hate it for putting a timer on my mom's life.

Violet and I were just at her house, we even went to a carnival with her two Fridays ago. She was only supposed to be in Columbus for ONE week and return to Charlotte the following Sunday. Two days into her trip, another seizure occurred, setting her recovery back farther than before. She was in the hospital for five days following that seizure.

The day before yesterday, my mom was transported from the hospital to her twin sister’s residence to begin hospice (a type of medical care focused on comfort and quality of life for people with a serious illness, especially those nearing the end of life. It prioritizes relieving symptoms and managing pain, rather than trying to cure the illness). I just found out my mom had cancer- I have not even processed that she was diagnosed with cancer yet! Now, as of two days ago, I now know that this aggressive form of cancer only provided a life expectancy of 12- 18 months (after the initial diagnosis). No one ever believes that this will happen to them, to their parent, but I am here to tell you, this unexpected nightmare has been a huge blindside to the Gordon family- a family held together by the most valuable part- the glue that holds our family together? Sallie, my mom. She has been in my life every single day since I was born, how do I get past her absence? I can't, I won't. But it feels like I am losing part of my soul.

Now, all treatment options have been exhausted. The first indication of this cancer was because of the seizure in November 2024. By May 1st, 2025, we are being told that all we can do is make her comfortable and that the cancer has aggressively grown over the past six months. I am terrified that I am going to miss the chance to get Violet and Lillian to Columbus with me to say goodbye. But I am determined to raise the funds to make that happen for them and their Gigi.

Through this campaign, I hope to raise enough funds for her treatment, bills, rent, living expenses, traveling for treatment, and for anything else that Sallie may need. There are so many of you out there who know my mom and have such deep love and admiration for her, and right now she needs our love, prayers, and support more than ever. It is time to show Sallie the love and support that she is always giving out to the world. The one thing she needs to focus on is being with family, especially her only two grandbabies, Lillian and Violet (it broke my heart a month ago when Sallie said to me that she did not think that she will ever get to see Lillian again- I have to do everything in my power to make this happen.

If you are not able to donate a monetary contribution, please say a prayer for Sallie and her family and share this campaign on social media please! I want to tell you that your kindness is appreciated more than you could imagine. #sharesandprayers