hello everyone. i am sorry to be back on this platform again but life has been quite brutal.

many of you may know mine and my mom’s story as she’s battled advanced cancer. for any newcomers, my mom was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in june of 2025. it was a massive shock; she had been dealing with persistent abdominal pain for some time that was repeatedly dismissed as a hernia. there are few instances when you may hear a mere couple of words and know your life will never be the same again, and this was one of those times. my mom is my best friend in this entire world and the strongest person i’ve ever known. throughout this journey, those sentiments have only been solidified, but it has been a rough path. she spent most of the summer in a loop of inpatient hospital stays, with the cancer’s aggressive nature causing new complications at every turn. we were stuck in a cycle of malignant obstructions, corrective surgeries, and recovery periods. by the time she was recovered from her operations, treatment had been delayed long enough for the cycle to repeat. it was frustrating, sad, and hopeless at times. nonetheless, she pushed through and has finally had the opportunity to receive a consistent chemo and targeted therapy regimen, which we have reason to believe she is responding to.

throughout those grueling couple of months, my dad was my biggest supporter. he did anything in his power to be there for both of us despite being across state lines. he called nonstop, checking if my mom and i were okay and wanting updates after every appointment or procedure. he was the person i called when i felt down and out. he offered his support at every bump in the road with no hesitation or complaints. there was a long time that he and i weren’t close, but i’m so grateful we were able to restore our relationship. he was there when i needed my dad.

since things apparently weren’t bad enough, my dad was forcibly taken to the hospital on december 10th after weeks of uncharacteristic behavior. multiple scans revealed stage IV small cell lung cancer. he was always petrified of doctors, so by the time he was seen, the damage to his body was catastrophic. his liver was riddled with tumors and there appeared to be brain metastasis as well. he spent three weeks in the hospital before passing away on december 31st. i was able to see him once in that time frame. his liver enzymes were completely out of wack and he wasn’t quite himself, but i saw enough glimpses to know it was my dad. it was a hard goodbye, and something i still haven’t quite processed with how sudden everything happened.

my dad was our primary support through all of this. i’m left, a lost 22 year old, attempting to pick up the pieces. i was never prepared to do this on my own. i tend to beat myself up wishing i could pull this off with more grace, but the truth is it’s fucking hard. we are at risk of losing our housing because a month’s rent is the majority of my monthly income. not a single bill or utility has been paid in months. i was barely keeping my head above water but i’ve slipped and it’s hard to see a way out. in addition to the outrageous cost of living, cancer is expensive. my mom needs things that i often cannot provide. we struggle to keep food in the house, and there’s a myriad of medical supplies needed to keep up with her ileostomy.

the expenses are literally endless. while i am figuring out how to better manage this situation moving forward, i need help getting us out of this rut. i can’t do it on my own and our support has run dry. we are amid a fight with disability as my mom was previously denied and we are awaiting response to her appeal. to anyone who is able to donate or even share our story, we are grateful beyond words. every act of kindness you all have shown us through these times has been immeasurably appreciated.