Hi everyone, it’s Emma Arroyo, the proud daughter to my lovely mother Rhonda Frisk Arroyo. Whether you know my mom or not, it takes little time of knowing her to see the positivity and care for others she carries through life. She holds a compassion and desire for uplifting others that is deeply instilled in me. As admirable as her selflessness is, it is my turn to show her that she deserves all the love and support she gives to others.

Fighting her Ovarian Cancer battle on and off since May 2014 after being in remission two times, my mother started a new chapter of this battle as her cancer returned again several years ago. Receiving treatment at Hartford Healthcare Cancer Institute and UConn John Dempsey Hospital, she is continuing this horrible fight with support from her lovely care team. Last summer, she saw a rapid decline in her health, mobility, strength, and physical control as, in addition to fighting cancer, she developed neuropathy that will affect her for the rest of her life. Following her departure from inpatient rehabilitation in Fall 2024, she has fought very hard for almost a year now to be able to stand and walk for controlled periods of time and regain use of her hands. This improvement is significant from where she started. Unfortunately, a full recovery isn’t likely, yet my mother has continued to be a bright light, a fighter, a go-getter and all around so motivated to not limit herself.

After stopping her chemotherapy temporarily to allow her body to recover, her cancer recently returned. She has started a new chemotherapy yet again, with no end in sight. Once again, she continues her fight to stay strong (as strong as one can be) while countless treatments and doctors appointments take their toll. There has not been a day since her diagnosis in 2014 that has gone by, even in remission, where the effects of years of cancer and chemotherapy are not present. We are most grateful for all you who have shown up and been there for her and our family in any way between then and now as this seemingly never-ending battle continues.

As you can imagine, the expenses that come with chemotherapy and neuropathy treatment and care are very steep. I’ve made this GoFundMe in hopes to take the weight of the woman who has so selflessly carried others’ for so long. I hope for her main focus to be on fighting her battle and getting whatever she can out of life as she pours so much into it. We have watched my mom put on a brave face as the life and independence she once knew were taken away from her by cancer and neuropathy, and there is nothing I want more than to bolster her through this hard time. No donation is too small to make a difference. All proceeds will go to medical expenses for my mother’s cancer and neuropathy treatments, allowing her to continue receiving the care she needs.