GoFundMe takes 3% of all donations so if you would like to donate directly without fees, you are welcome to Venmo @feministswagger - if you feel comfortable doing so.

 

 

My mom, Anita Brookshier, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (metastasized to the liver) on January 2nd after being admitted to the hospital for extreme, unbearable pain. She was released from the hospital on January 4th and is currently staying with me as we get ready for her treatment to begin. Unfortunately, the cancer was caught in a late stage since it has spread to her liver but her doctor is optimistic that chemotherapy will prolong her life and reduce pain.

 

 

Pancreatic cancer in this stage is incurable and treatment options moving forward are palliative with the goal of alleviating her pain and allowing her to live her life without suffering. To make matters more difficult, she's also suffering from numerous blood clots and has been diagnosed with diabetes which are both a result of the cancer. This form of cancer is extremely painful and every step moving forward will have a goal of reducing pain to improve her quality of life.

 

 

Anita will start chemotherapy in two weeks and alternate between two different types of chemotherapy regimens for as long as they will work to shrink the tumors in her body and prevent further progression. We are hopeful these treatments will be beneficial and give her more time to enjoy her life without suffering.

 

 

Anita is a widow after her husband of 24 years (Keith Brookshier) died suddenly in 2013. She has struggled financially since then so the sudden crush of medical expenses has been an unwelcome stress during this already difficult moment.

 

 

 

Her family loves her immensely. She is a wonderful mother and grandmother- she does not deserve to endure any of this.


I am asking for any help you are willing to give to help cover her medical care and other unexpected expenses at this time. Our goal is to raise enough money to cover the cost of her prescriptions and copays throughout her treatment. Her insurance is extremely picky about what blood thinner they will cover and there is no generic alternative. Additionally, she has to take enzymes since her pancreas is not working and digesting food which is an expensive medication that requires her to take up to 9 capsules a day. Those two medications alone are nearly $300 a month. This does not include medical copays, special meal preparations (her diet is extremely limited) and other costs that come with cancer treatment.

She is too proud to ask herself but I am not above asking for anything my mom needs to alleviate any extra worry so she can focus on being strong in this fight.

 

Thank you for your support. ❤️