Linda's Cancer Treatment Fund
Donation protected
On October 13, 2017 my Mom, Linda Stubbings, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. By November 2, 2017 we sat at Stanford waiting to meet with the team of Doctors for the first time.
When we met they informed us that her cancer was advanced and we need to have a biopsy done to determine what type of cancer and how advanced it was. The biopsy was analyized while we were there and our fears were offically confirmed. It was cancer and it was growing fast.
At this point they determined due to the size and rate it was growing she needed to undergo more scans to make sure that it had not spread. Through out the next 2 months we went to Stanford 1-2 times a week for tests. During this time it was discovered that she also had a tumor growing in her lung. This took 2 procedures to determine if it was cancerous as well. Again our biggest fears became reality when it was determined she has a large cancerous tumor in her upper left lobe. Again, this prompted more test to determine the extent of the cancer and if they were related.
Luckily, if you can say that in this case, it was determined that both of her tumors were localized and the cancer did not appear to have spread to other areas of her body. Due to this she was cleared to undergo 2 surgeries to remove the tumors and rebuild a flap for her tounge to help her be able to speak and eat again.
January 9th She had a g-tube placed so that she would be able to get the nuterients needed after her surgery as she would not be able to eat.
January 10th she entered into a high risk surgery. A surgery that they prepared us for was very dangeros even for a much younger person due to the length of time she would have to be under anesthesia, 12 hours to be more specific. Durning this 12 hour surgery one specialist removed the tumor on her tounge, taking over half her tounge with it. Once he had completed the removal another surgeon came in and they used muscle and veins from her forearm to construct a flap where her tounge was removed. Thank God she came out of that surgery. After a 10 day stay in Intensive Care, on January 19th, I brought her home to recover for her next surgery.
February 8th she had her next surgery. They removed the upper left lobe of her lung. This required another 3 days in Intensive Care before she could come home.
She is doing well but still has a long road ahead before we hear the magical words "she is in remission".
Due to her tounge cancer being a stage 3-4 she has to undergo a combination of chemo and radiation. She should start this in the next 2 weeks.
She only has medicare and her only income is Social Security. My brother and I try to help as we can but you can imagine the finacial strain that is brought on by such a serious illness.
Though all of these stays and visits to Stanford I have taken off work and gone with her. Traveling and lodging expenses have added to mounting medical bills that continue to pour in and will continue for quite some time. This is where we are asking for help.......As we have drained our savings in an effort to cover these costs, it has become overwhelming. The financial burden is putting additional stress on my Mom. During this fight for her life my wish for her is that she does not have to worry about how to pay for these expenses. That instead of sleepless nights she will be able to rest knowing that her medical care is covered and she can get the treatment that she desperately needs.
My Mom has always been a caring and giving person. Anyone who knows her knows that she always has been one to help and support people in their time of need. This is why I am now reaching out into the community and asking for your support, as we now find ourselves in this difficult postion.
When we met they informed us that her cancer was advanced and we need to have a biopsy done to determine what type of cancer and how advanced it was. The biopsy was analyized while we were there and our fears were offically confirmed. It was cancer and it was growing fast.
At this point they determined due to the size and rate it was growing she needed to undergo more scans to make sure that it had not spread. Through out the next 2 months we went to Stanford 1-2 times a week for tests. During this time it was discovered that she also had a tumor growing in her lung. This took 2 procedures to determine if it was cancerous as well. Again our biggest fears became reality when it was determined she has a large cancerous tumor in her upper left lobe. Again, this prompted more test to determine the extent of the cancer and if they were related.
Luckily, if you can say that in this case, it was determined that both of her tumors were localized and the cancer did not appear to have spread to other areas of her body. Due to this she was cleared to undergo 2 surgeries to remove the tumors and rebuild a flap for her tounge to help her be able to speak and eat again.
January 9th She had a g-tube placed so that she would be able to get the nuterients needed after her surgery as she would not be able to eat.
January 10th she entered into a high risk surgery. A surgery that they prepared us for was very dangeros even for a much younger person due to the length of time she would have to be under anesthesia, 12 hours to be more specific. Durning this 12 hour surgery one specialist removed the tumor on her tounge, taking over half her tounge with it. Once he had completed the removal another surgeon came in and they used muscle and veins from her forearm to construct a flap where her tounge was removed. Thank God she came out of that surgery. After a 10 day stay in Intensive Care, on January 19th, I brought her home to recover for her next surgery.
February 8th she had her next surgery. They removed the upper left lobe of her lung. This required another 3 days in Intensive Care before she could come home.
She is doing well but still has a long road ahead before we hear the magical words "she is in remission".
Due to her tounge cancer being a stage 3-4 she has to undergo a combination of chemo and radiation. She should start this in the next 2 weeks.
She only has medicare and her only income is Social Security. My brother and I try to help as we can but you can imagine the finacial strain that is brought on by such a serious illness.
Though all of these stays and visits to Stanford I have taken off work and gone with her. Traveling and lodging expenses have added to mounting medical bills that continue to pour in and will continue for quite some time. This is where we are asking for help.......As we have drained our savings in an effort to cover these costs, it has become overwhelming. The financial burden is putting additional stress on my Mom. During this fight for her life my wish for her is that she does not have to worry about how to pay for these expenses. That instead of sleepless nights she will be able to rest knowing that her medical care is covered and she can get the treatment that she desperately needs.
My Mom has always been a caring and giving person. Anyone who knows her knows that she always has been one to help and support people in their time of need. This is why I am now reaching out into the community and asking for your support, as we now find ourselves in this difficult postion.
Organizer
Lianne Stubbings Mungia
Organizer
Visalia, CA
