This past January, my sister-in-law Lorraine Lemke found a lump in her right breast. On February 26th doctors confirmed it was breast cancer (Level 2 infiltrating ductal carcinoma) In April, Lorraine had a partial mastectomy of her right breast & May had a port put in for chemo. By June started the 1st step of treatment, which was 4 rounds of chemo (over an 8 week time frame) . After that on to Step 2, Twelve rounds of chemo, once a week). Lorraine was two weeks away from completing the 2nd round of chemo when she started getting awful stomach pains. October 3rd, Lorraine was hospitalized for 3 days with a stomach infection. Due to the chemo treatment, her body is having a hard time fighting the infection. She was sent home with a tube to drain the infection & once that is under control, a plan to have surgery to remove some pockets due to diverticulitis. Once she heals from stomach surgery, she can continue with her chemo & later complete radiation.

Through all this, Lorraine is still trying to still work full time (although she averages 3 days a week after treatments, appointments & days she just feels lousy) & with Scott, they keep up with their two kids (Paige & Bentley) But, between chemo treatments, hospital stays, follow up appointments, etc both Lorraine & Scott are missing work, using up all their PTO & now falling behind on all every day bills.