Update: Thank you for your continued prayers, calls/texts etc. We are truly grateful by those who have shown an outpouring of love. All messages, prayers and donations have been personally shared with my mom and she is truly touched. After extensive testing over the last several weeks including 4 days scheduled last week, she is cleared to begin her radiation and chemotherapy treatment next week. Please continue to lift my mom and our family in prayer as we move to the next phase of this journey. Thank you again.

My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer several weeks ago. She coughed, and her legs gave out on her, and she fractured her lower back. She was taken via ambulance (since she was unable to get into our vehicle due to the extreme pain) to the first hospital but was just given a pain shot and released after waiting approximately 6 hours. The next day, my husband and I had to take her back to the hospital, but we took her to a different one instead. The care there was going well; they confirmed she fractured her back, etc. However, after almost a week there, her pulmonologist requested she be transferred to another hospital where he could proceed with a lung biopsy. Although we received the results in the hospital rather quickly, it took almost a week before we received a visit from the oncologist in the hospital. My mom has been and continues to be in extreme pain most days. Her condition has worsened over the past month, and we are still waiting for the radiologist to start treatment. She has had multiple scans, MRIs, tests, specialist visits, etc., yet even in her critical condition, it is still taking a very long time for her oncologist to even begin her chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The doctors recommended this happen quickly a month ago, and she needs it since she's feeling worse with each passing day.

She is currently on breathing treatments several times a day since she's having difficulty even breathing properly. She is extremely fatigued and unable to do the simple things she was used to doing on her own. Three hospital stays, visits to the Emergency Room, medications, breathing machines, tests, scans, and the upcoming 5 days of chemotherapy and radiation treatment have all added up very quickly.

The doctors are also very concerned about her weight loss and are recommending she have a feeding tube. She is not wanting one currently, but the doctors will be carefully watching her weight and her ability to eat and get the proper nutrients her body so desperately needs right now.

Prior to getting ill, my mom enjoyed her part-time job. Even though it didn't pay well, she loved talking to customers and helping people in need. I recall her telling me a story where someone she met was hungry and in need but had no money. She paid for the individual to have food, which meant she didn't make anything that day. These were common things she enjoyed doing to help others. In the hospital, she gave her gifts or clothes away whenever someone liked something.

She was always ready to share a meal with anyone, even though she might have only had a meal cooked for one or two people.

She always said one day she would win the lottery, and if she did, she has a long list of people she would bless if she ever won. Some include her sisters and brothers, but many include just people she met who were in need. She would always tell me how she remembered that this person always wanted this or needed this, and if I win, I'm going to get it for them.

A few years ago, she volunteered at our community church to feed the homeless. She knew no stranger and made people feel welcomed. It's an area she thrives in...

Anyways, my mom has a generous heart towards strangers and others in general.

If there is anything you're able to donate to help my mother, it would truly be a blessing. No donation is too small, and any amount would be greatly appreciated. It will go directly to helping with her medical care and expenses.

We know times are tough for most people these days. If you're not in a position to donate anything, we totally understand. If you're able to pray for my mom as she faces this difficult time, we would be grateful. If you're able to share the post with others who might be willing to donate or join us in prayer for the miraculous healing of my mother and to provide her comfort and peace throughout this time, it would mean a great deal.

Thank you for your time, for your prayers, for any donation given, and for sharing my mom's story with others who might be willing to join in help as well as praying for my mother.

For those that have called my mom, she appreciates your care and love and is saddened she hasn't had enough strength to talk or respond as she was able to weeks ago. Once she is able, she looks forward to being able to talk with her friends again. She truly misses everyone.

Thank you again,

Theresa