My mom, Betty, has been feeling pretty crummy since November, with her symptoms accelerating around Christmas. Since then, she has lost a significant amount of weight—almost 50 pounds—and life has been pretty tough. On January 13, she finally went to the doctor, which set in motion a series of tests and appointments. She’s had an ultrasound, an MRI, and a pancreatic endoscopic ultrasound with biopsy. While we hoped for better news, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her care team has already started addressing her symptoms, and she began taking pancreatic enzymes to help her body process food. Unfortunately, the medication alone hasn’t been as helpful as we hoped, and she’s still struggling to get enough calories. She has now started chemotherapy, and the journey has been overwhelming for both Mom and Mike.

Friends, family, and neighbors have been asking how they can help, and after some hesitation, Mom and Mike are now open to accepting support. The financial burden of medical bills, groceries, and the supplies she needs to manage her illness has become significant. Your support will help ease some of that stress so Mom and Mike can focus on her treatment and recovery.

Mom has truly appreciated the cards, handwritten letters, and funny jokes that have come her way. She’s sometimes up for short visits, but please call or text first. Any help—whether through donations or kind words—means the world to us right now. Thank you for being part of our community and for supporting Mom during this difficult time.