Mary's Last Wish

 
Mary's Last Wish


"You have breast cancer.”


The words no one ever wants to hear were spoken to Mary George in July 2010. Mary and her husband, Chris, were living a normal life- three beautiful daughters, a modest home with Mary working both as a substitute teacher and substitute librarian. In addition, Mary was very involved and dedicated to volunteering her time and skills in her children's schools including the music booster programs; in the Cleveland German Language School; as a Girl Scout leader to many troops; as a parishioner and as both a preschool PSR teacher and a PSR teacher at Saint Albert the Great Church. In an instant, at 40 years old, Mary and Chris' lives changed forever.



Mary underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumor, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. She took Tamoxifen and had a hysterectomy to prevent the cancer from returning. But it reared its ugly head again and returned with a vengeance. In September 2013, tumors appeared in the spine. The T-2 vertebrae was infected. It was removed and rods and pins were placed for stabilization. Gamma Knife radiation was undertaken but the cancer continued to spread; in 2014 rib tumors; in 2015 additional tumors on the spine.



Mary continued to battle back, smiling through the devastating side effects of chemotherapy and working to help support her family while Chris worked as a public civil engineer. Mary and Chris were determined to give their girls a normal childhood filled with love and memories of family outings, school events and holidays spent together.

They never allowed the cancer to take over their lives.

However, in 2016 Mary was forced to stop work as the cancer continued its destruction through her body as additional tumors appeared in her liver, spine and pelvis. By January 2017, the cancer was found in Mary's right leg’s femur. A rod was placed in the hip and leg to stabilize her leg for radiation and additional chemotherapy. Unfortunately, in February 2017, Mary was removed from any further treatment. Her liver had begun to fail and the chemotherapy was killing blood cells. Without chemotherapy, the cancer is now taking over her body spreading now to her skull. On February 22, 2017, Mary was told by her oncologist that there was nothing they could do any longer to fight the cancer. She was placed in hospice and was told she had 4 to 6 weeks left to live. 


And this is where we need you. Mary is afraid to leave her husband and children with the mounting medical bills of her illness and final funeral expenses. Many courses of chemotherapy, MRIs and surgeries are just a few of Mary’s medical costs that have mounted Mary and Chris’ debt thousands upon thousands of dollars. Tragically, in addition, on March 1, 2017, Chris' dad unexpectedly died leaving him to care for his mom, comfort Mary and to deal with his father's estate and bills. With emotional and physical exhaustion, Chris continues to maintain his job and be a tower of strength for Mary and their three daughters (ages 13-19), but the overwhelming medical expenses are pushing the family beyond their limits.



This fund is being set up to help Mary and Chris with their soaring financial expenses. Mary's dying wish is that her family will not be so overwhelmed and worried about money and paying these mounting medical expenses. Understandably, it is hard enough to lose your wife and mother without having to worry about how you are going to pay the bills. PLEASE help Mary and Chris and their family. Any amount you give is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support and help… and please say a prayer for a cure someday.