Help Lisa Make Every Moment Count with Stage 4 Cancer
If you know our mom, Lisa, you know she's always had an open door. Our friends were always welcome in her apartment, day or night, and she made everyone feel like they were home.
She is the heart of our family, a loving mother to Nick, Remy, and Whitney, and the very best friend and grandmother to Harper and Bailey. She has spent her life showing up for the people she loves with kindness, humor, and strength.
Today, we're asking for help so our family can spend less time worrying about finances surrounding the cancer, and more time focusing on the time we have with mom and her goals as we head into this chapter.
June 5th, 2026
Just one week after celebrating mom's 70th birthday, she went to the emergency room for severe back pain. We expected it to be a pulled muscle or something minor. Instead, in the early hours on June 6th the doctors discovered a 5 cm tumor on her pancreas, along with masses on her liver and lungs.
Within days, our world changed.
After additional testing, hospitalization, and a liver biopsy, we met with her oncologist and received the heartbreaking news that Lisa has Stage 4 metastatic cancer.
The biopsy confirmed invasive carcinoma with squamous features. While doctors believe the cancer most likely started in her pancreas, they are still working to identify the primary source through genetic sequencing. Right now, her diagnosis is Stage 4 metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP).
While there is no cure for mom's stage of metastasis, treatment may help manage her symptoms and give us more meaningful time together. Our focus now is keeping her comfortable and making every moment count.
Mom is now back at her home in Phoenix, OR. I am coordinating her appointments, working closely with her doctors, managing her medications, and helping make sure her daily needs are being met.
Like so many families facing cancer, we are doing everything we can while also facing expenses that insurance and available assistance programs do not fully cover. Lisa lives on a fixed income, which makes these unexpected costs even more overwhelming.
More Than Anything, Mom Wants Time
When we asked mom about her bucket list, she didn't ask for exotic vacations or expensive experiences.
She wants to watch the waves while her children and grandchildren play in the sand along the Oregon Coast.
She wants family pizza nights, movie dates with friends, backyard barbecues at our house, one more family photoshoot with all of the kids and grandkids, a day to go play pool (she was in a pool league in her prime), and one more trip to visit her sister and family in San Francisco. She wants to spend time with the people she loves most.
Mom wants more laughter, more conversations, more hugs, and more memories.
That is what we hope to give her.
How Your Donations Will Help
Funds raised will help with:
- Medical expenses and co-pays
- Medications and pain management
- Gas costs to appointments/errands
- Comfort items and mobility support
- Household bills, groceries, and daily living expenses
- Moms Bucket List Wishes
- Future care needs as they arise
If we are fortunate enough to raise more than our goal, every dollar will continue to go directly towards Lisa's care, comfort, and quality of life.
If you are not able to donate, we completely understand. Sharing Mom's story is one of the most meaningful ways you can help.
Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your support. Thank you for helping us give Mom as many beautiful moments as possible.
With love and gratitude,
Whitney & Family
We will continue to share updates on Mom's journey here so everyone who has supported her can follow along and celebrate the moments you've helped make possible.
