My name is Brianna and I am the daughter of Rochelle (aka Chelle). This is a little bit about her and what she’s going through.

Chelle got sick the beginning of 2025. After being sick, she just never fully recovered. The biggest complaint was the fatigue she was experiencing. Eventually she started to experience abdominal pain and loss of appetite. After visiting with a doctor, she was told she had gallstones and that she needed to have her gallbladder removed. That surgery and procedure took place in May. After her initial recovery, she started to feel better. She had more energy, less pain, things were on the up and up. Until they weren’t. She eventually started to feel immense fatigue and was not able to truly leave the house. She went through rounds of bloodwork to check various levels. She obtained IV fluids packed with good vitamins. But none of it worked.

The week of August 24th, she started to notice some swelling in her legs. She didn’t think much of it and kept an eye on it. By Friday, the swelling hadn’t improved so we went to the walk-in. During this visit they tested to see if her d-dimer level to check for potential clotting issues. That test came pack high and positive and she was instructed to go to the emergency room. During that visit, we learned she had formed blood clots in both legs. With one leg practically fully clotted. She also had clots in her lungs. She was admitted that night.

Saturday, August 30th, the doctors performed a procedure to remove the clots out of her one leg. She was prescribed blood thinners and said with the medication, the rest of the clots should eventually dissolve. She was released the next day.

The following day, Monday, September 1st, she started to experience difficulty breathing. She was taken back to the emergency room where we learned she had formed additional clots in her lungs. She was once again admitted. The next day they performed a procedure to remove some of the clots in her lungs. This procedure also included adding in a filter to keep clots from going to the heart. She came out of that procedure and was admitted for monitoring. While being monitored, we noticed some unusual symptoms that didn’t line up with her blood clots. She also so signs of bleeding from an unknown source. testing and blood work was ordered and that’s when a mass in the colon was discovered. A biopsy was completed and that’s when we learned her official diagnosis: Colon Cancer. It was classified as Stage 3C; borderline Stage 4. It was also discovered that the mass is what was bleeding inside causing her hemoglobin levels to be low.

The doctors went back and forth on whether or not the mass should be removed or if it should be removed after treatment. Eventually they decided it needed to come out due to the bleeding. By Sunday, September 7th, they were operating to remove the large mass.

Surgery did not have any significant complications. The mass was removed with clean margins. No colostomy bag. But, they did input a g-tube for nutrition that her body so needed. She was eventually discharged on Tuesday, September 16th.

Since being discharged she has had several doctor visits: surgical team, new primary, and with her oncologist. She then started her cancer treatment plan on Tuesday, October 21st. Her next round of treatment is Tuesday, November 4th. She will receive chemotherapy every two weeks for a minimum of six months. Alongside her chemotherapy, she is receiving immunotherapy treatment. This treatment she will receive for a minimum of a year.

Why are we turning to our community for help? Simply put, her current medical bills have already surpassed $455,000. Living the ‘American Dream’ she worked alongside her husband, Jay, as a small business owner. Which, unfortunately, comes at a price. Which is no medical insurance and not enough income to pay for medical insurance out of pocket. She, unfortunately, also doesn’t qualify for much financial assistance from the state or hospital. Plus, with her treatment and health, she is needing extra care and assistance at home. Which has lead to the decision to close the family business. Leaving them currently with no monthly income.

My goal with creating a Go Fund Me for my mom is to help with some of financial burden. To help with keeping a roof over their head and food on their table while they work towards making their next steps in life. No one expects to hear the word “cancer” as part of their diagnosis. It’s a scary word that brings a roller coaster of emotions and changes to life as you knew it. While she is able to venture out of the house some, she still doesn’t have the energy and health to be out for long. Sometimes not even long enough for us to sit around the table and have dinner together.

My mom and dad are some of the most caring I know. They both will do what they can for others. They’ve shown me how to be a good person and I hope I’m doing my best to pass that on to my children. I have watched my mom pick people up off the floor and fight for them when they didn’t want to fight for themselves. I’ve watched them provide food to various community outreach programs. I’ve watched them pay bills for those who needed that extra helping hand. Life doesn’t come with a road map and easy answers. Sometimes you need a little extra help. There’s no shame in that, we all will come across something similar where we need a shoulder to lean on. And right now, it’s my mom’s turn. She needs that little extra help.

If you’re able to financially help, please know we are so incredibly thankful. If you are not able to financially help, we fully understand. Any and all well wishes and prayers sent our way is also SO appreciated.

Thank you so much for reading our story and providing a helpful hand, however you can.