Hi! Many of you know our mom, Lynette, as a tough cookie full of life. She's one of the first willing to jump into the frying pan and worry about herself later. She has raised her two daughters (Blythe 35 and Cierra 24) mostly on her own. And has 4 grandchildren (ages 9 to 1) and 1 grand-cat.

These past few years have been some trying times for her. All beginning with her finding out she had colorectal cancer, basically stage 4. But, with her strong will and kick "butt" attitude...she did just that. She kicked it's butt right out of hers.

Then, she found out it decided to take a trip to her lungs, again stage 4, and it hung out. So more treatment, that thankfully worked into her work-life schedule. Now that is pretty well under control even though they say it isn't curable, she's at least whipped it into submission for the most part.

During her treatments and appointment with her lung, they seen a small rice sized spot in her brain that they weren't too worried about as there wasn't really much to be done with it being so small. Recently, after a trip to the ER, it was found to now be more spots and causing some swelling as well as some other side effects, which was the cause of her ER visit. This made the doctor's deemed it not safe for her to drive (a car she just put new tires onto), as well as it is not possible for her to work. She will be doing 2 weeks of radiation, which will lead her to loose her hair. Then they plan to zap the lymph node (her union station) and hope to stop it from sending buddies around. Nothing has been said about her needing surgery as of now. We also do not have a set date when (or if) she can return to work or driving.

So, that is why we've decided to put this together on her behalf. We would like to help take a little of her monthly burden as her pay is less than half she'd be making during the overtime that's currently available at her job. Firstly, I'm hoping we can get her home payment finished as she's so close to finally having it paid off after 30 years. The second goal will be to help cover her monthly bills, and help with any medical deductibles that may arise while she can't work. As well as any travel and accommodations that may be needed should she have to get surgery, as she hopes to get referred closer to her daughter in Chicago with specialists there. (But again, surgery is not on the agenda... I'm just a planner and like to have any scenario planned for.)

The outlook seems promising, and hopefully this will help take some of the stress off her shoulders. And maybe a little extra to get her to a beach vacation this spring/summer. She's been wanting to get to the beach again for decades.

Please share any of your own experiences with our mother that you would like. And if you can't help monetarily, keeping her in your prayers is always helpful.

Anything is greatly appreciated

-Blythe