Main fundraiser photo

Help with Micki's End of Life costs

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Edit  9/13/2018:
We're still stunned to announce, Micki has passed away.
This fund is remaining open to help our parents with her burial costs. 
PLEASE READ OUR UPDATES for the latest information, linked just above these photos. 

Photos above:
First:  Micki with her God Daughter Meghan Colgan, and mother, Jeanne Mazzeo
Second:  Micki with her nieces Lindsay, Ashley and Melissa Mazzeo, our brother Jim's (first 3 of 5!) daughters.
Third:  Jeannette, Jim, and Micki, 1992 at Jim's college graduation .
Last:  Micki, at work, mid-1990s.
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This is my sister Micki!   These are older photos, the main one is from my wedding in fact, but these are the most recent I have that she'll let me share. :-)

Micki is, and has been, going through some really tough times.  Our family could use your help to keep her comfortable and surrounded by family as much as possible as she battles through stage 4 Breast Cancer.  Our family has encountered significant expenses in recent years, in supporting her costs of living like rent, utilities, special foods, uncovered medicines and medical equipment, in travel expenses to visit and stay with her in Florida (from PA, NJ, and CT), and in the multitude of treatments she has tried over the many years to cure her pre-cancer conditions, unsuccessfully. 

Two years ago, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer; Triple Negative with a proliferation rate of 89%.  A very fast growing and difficult to treat cancer.  There are no targeted chemos, so broad acting ones were used (which are particularly tough on the body).  She pushed through those treatments and surgery, and thought she was clear.

Last fall the cancer came back and she began another rough round of two chemos through the winter and spring.  Despite those efforts, it was recently discovered that the cancer has moved further, into her brain, lungs and more lymph nodes.  Doctors at MD Andersen have determined it is untreatable.  Whole brain radiation might have been an option if she weren't already physically compromised by her other medical diagnoses.  In early June, there were 15 scattered tumors in her brain, the largest of which was 1.6 cm, several in her lungs (one is 8 cm), and more lymph nodes are effected around her clavical.

Before her cancer, she had a host of medical issues, including Lyme Disease and parasitic co-infections, asthma, mini strokes, Celiac Disease, Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto's disease and now, type 2 diabetes.   Consequently, she has suffered from severe edema, migraines, dizziness, and so much more, that her mobility had been severely reduced.  With Celiac disease, she is highly allergic to gluten.  Combined with her reduced mobility, she has to purchase special foods that are super easy to heat and eat.  These foods alone are very expensive to live on.  

So today, the brain tumors are causing all sorts of havoc, and she can no longer live alone.  And her care is too much for any family member to handle.   She's been in a medical rehab for about one month, and has just transferred to another that also has assisted living.  Along the way, we are researching  options to move her to NJ to be closer to a few family members. 

This is where things get extremely costly.  Long Term Care Medicaid won't kick in for a few months at least, and when it does, it does not cover room and board.  We will be responsible for approximately $2000 per month in room and board costs alone.  But sooner than that, family members are traveling to be with her, taking on hotel and travel and meal costs, in addition to time off from work.  Both of our parents still work and they have helped Micki financially for years, mom especially, who is now making the expensive trip from Connecticut to visit with Micki for a week or so.   The expenses are so varied and are mounting as time moves on. 

We've considered starting a fundraiser for many years, but today it's simply a necessity.  We absolutely appreciate anything you can contribute.  The funds will be used strictly to cover costs related to her living, care or helping family travel to spend time with her.   And if there is a remainder of funds,  they will be held for end-of-life expenses.

Whatever you can offer will help.  We will be eternally grateful.

Organizer

Jeannette Colgan
Organizer
Drexel Hill, PA

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