Fighting Stage 4 Cervical Cancer

Hi All,

My name is Jason Michel and I started this campaign for the love of my life Lori Ortega.



We have been together for over 20 years and she is the best wife, mother to our 2 kids, and friend that a guy could ever have.


A few months ago, she started having intense pain in her back and after some abnormalities showed up on an MRI, she was referred to an Oncologist and after a few more tests, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cervical cancer.


I choked back tears as the Doctor explained how the cancer had spread throughout her back and up her spine, inflamed her lymph nodes, and actually penetrated into her bones and bone marrow causing several lesions.

She is currently undergoing chemotherapy and a bone strengthening treatment every 3 weeks, which makes her extremely ill with migraines, nausea, fatigue, and causes her bones to ache severely.



She is the strongest person I know and tries not to let the pain show and up until recently, she would NEVER miss a day of work.  But in her present condition, even on days when she can muster up the strength to go to work, she is not able to make it through her shift without the pain and illness forcing her to tap out.

We are a two-income family and we rely heavily on Lori’s ability to work, so all the time that she continues to miss from work along with our increased medical expenses have put a huge strain on our finances. 

It is only by the generosity of our caring friends, family, co-workers, and others that we have been able to sustain and stay afloat over the past few months.  And we appreciate you all more than you will ever know.


In a recent follow up, the Oncologist was optimistic that Lori’s lymph nodes had become less inflamed and says it is a sign that the chemotherapy IS working, but she also reminded us that this is STAGE 4 cancer and will NOT be going away, ever.

She said “the best we can do is keep pounding on it with chemo to keep it from spreading and try to keep the pain manageable”.  We are having to face the reality that the pain, the treatment, and all the side effects are going to be ongoing part of our life… indefinitely.

It kills me to see Lori in so much pain and I wish there were more that I could do for her.  The Doctor stressed the need to stay positive and we're doing our best to spend quality time together and with our family and to live life to the fullest, but it is a struggle.



And I must say that Lori has remained EXTREMELY brave and optimistic in the face of all she's going through.  I really admire her strength, courage, and positive outlook.  I love her so much.