Support and Prayers for Elizabeth's Cancer Battle

After working as an educator and mentor of young people on her home island of Molokai, our sister, Elizabeth Poepoe Tanaka, began an exciting new chapter when she married the love of her life. They began married life with new careers on Oahu where Elizabeth got a job as a dorm advisor at Kamehameha Schools and Jonah also found work he enjoyed. Life was good and filled with possibilities. For Elizabeth, being back on the campus of her alma mater, being surrounded by students, and being placed in a position to give back to Pauahi was a dream come true.

However, during that first year of their fulfilling new life, Elizabeth started experiencing sharp pain in her abdomen. For over a year, her doctors on Oahu did not diagnose her condition although it later seemed that the symptoms were, if not obvious, at least concerning. The crisis happened shortly after Christmas in 2014 when she woke up in excruciating pain that got worse and worse as the day progressed. Jonah and Mom took her to the hospital emergency room, and that long night ended with the worst news: cancer.

On that awful night, instead of taking steps to shrink her large tumor before trying to remove it, the doctor operated, allowing it to break and spill into her abdominal cavity, spreading the cancer cells. This nightmare for the young couple continued for the next seven years with multiple new gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) forming. GIST is a rare form of cancer that requires aggressive treatment at the onset, although it can be treatable with early diagnosis. With all her efforts to find out what was causing her early discomfort, her concerns were dismissed. A CT scan that could have provided critical early detection, was never approved or ordered.

After finally receiving acknowledgement that she had something much worse than indigestion, Elizabeth has undergone painful tests, debilitating oral chemotherapy medication, and continued bouts of chemotherapy infusions. Sheʻs endured four major abdominal surgeries and traveled out of state seeking specialized care.

At present, the cancer has progressed to stage 4, and Elizabeth is faced with yet another heartbreaking situation. She feels such a deep commitment to her service to nā pua a Pauahi at Kamehameha Schools, and now her illness is at the point that she hasnʻt the strength to continue. After attending Kamehameha and receiving all the generous benefits from Princess Pauahi, Elizabeth was so gratified to be able to work and serve the mission of the princess herself. This year, she started in a new leadership position, her dream job, and it's crushing her to have to contemplate leaving it.

If you know Elizabeth (Bibby), you know she is always that person who brings our family together for holidays and occasions and special events. ʻOhana and friends know her big heart and her aloha and how much she does for others. She is heading home tomorrow to Molokai to be surrounded by her family and beloved ʻāina, she puts her trust in the Lord and prays that He brings her healing and strength.

It is so difficult for Jonah and Elizabeth to ask for help, but they need it. Although they both work hard at their jobs, medical and insurance bills continue to mount. She has become too weak to continue her demanding new position with Kamehameha Schools, and as her strength continues to diminish, Jonah will soon need to provide daily care for her. We know that the prospect of unemployment for both she and Jonah is incredibly stressful for both of them. The cost for an inter-island move home to Molokai, in addition to the cost of flying back and forth for medical care, creates seemingly insurmountable obstacles for this couple under normal circumstances, let alone these extraordinary ones. Because we and so many others love them, we are humbly asking for your kokua. Please send help with prayers and well wishes, and if possible, a financial donation to support Elizabeth and Jonah in their struggle.

She and her friends and family pray that the Lord will heal her body and cure her of this horrible disease. Even as her pain increases, Elizabeth remains positive and faithful.

Mahalo Piha for any contribution you can make,

Elizabethʻs (Bibbyʻs) Brothers, Sisters and ʻOhana