Update: October 8, 2025

Hello everyone, this is Raya. I wanted to share an update about my mom’s current health.

As of yesterday, her oncologist asked her to come into the doctor’s office for a direct hospital admission due to an open wound that has been progressing very quickly. The skin has stopped healing, and the tumor has now forced itself to the outside of her skin, creating a painful and serious open wound. She is currently experiencing unbearable pain, and the doctors are doing everything they can to keep her comfortable.

Right now, the medical team is discussing next steps and possible treatment plans. This tumor was originally considered inoperable due to its size and the risks involved. Radiation oncology has determined that radiation would not be effective at this time because of the tumor’s current size and her ongoing chemotherapy treatments.

If surgery does become possible, it will be a very critical operation and could mean my mom will have to stay in the hospital for two weeks or more. Until then, she remains under close care while doctors decide the safest way forward.

At this time, my mom still isn’t cleared to return to work, and her pay remains at 60% of her normal income. We’re doing our best to stay strong, but this has been such a heavy time for our family.

If you’re able, please continue to share this GoFundMe or donate to help lessen the burden while she focuses on healing. Every prayer, message, and bit of support means more than words can say.

Thank you all for your kindness, love, and support.

With gratitude,

Raya

My mom, Sabela, has always been the heart of our family. As a single mom, she’s made sure my little sister and I never went without, filling our home with love, laughter, and the best food—especially her New Orleans dishes. We used to spend weekends playing cards, singing, and going out to our favorite restaurant after church. Fall is her favorite season, and she always decorates the house with pumpkins and autumn colors, making it feel like the holidays. Even now, she tries to keep our spirits up, but I see how much she’s struggling.

Sabela’s journey with desmoid tumors began after my sister was born in 2018. She was first diagnosed in 2019, and since then, she’s faced multiple surgeries, treatments, and setbacks. The tumor in her abdominal wall has grown so much that it’s changed her appearance and made daily life painful. Although this tumor is not cancerous, it has forced her to walk the same difficult path as many cancer patients—enduring chemo, infusions, and the side effects that come with them. My mom had a hard time transitioning to infusion treatment, especially knowing her tumor isn’t cancer, but the pain and challenges are just as real. She’s reached out to the hospital for resources, but because she doesn’t have cancer, she isn’t eligible for many types of assistance. She can’t stand for long, her legs and feet swell, and she’s developed blood clots and lymphedema. Simple things like going to the grocery store or getting dressed are now difficult, and she’s had to stop working while undergoing chemo. Despite all this, she keeps smiling for us, but I know it’s heavy on her heart.

Right now, Sabela is on short-term disability, but it only covers part of her income. We’re struggling to keep up with rent, groceries, utilities, and medical co-pays. On treatment days, she’s too tired to cook, so meals or gift cards would help us a lot. Since she can’t drive, we also need help with Uber rides to her appointments. My sister and I do our best to help, but we need support to make ends meet and give my mom a little more faith. She’s always been our light, and we want to help her through this difficult time.