We are Victoria and Samantha. Jackie is our mother. She’s always been fiercely independent and so would never do this herself, but she needs help. We need help.
Mom’s been quietly battling cancer for the past few years. Most people don’t know. She put on such a strong face for all of us. Over the course of her battle, the cancer spread to her brain. She’s been at stage four for the last 2 years undergoing treatments that kept the worst symptoms at bay. While she seemed perfectly healthy, she’s been a warrior.
Recently, we learned that the cancer has developed into a rare complication called leptomeningial disease that happens when the cancer spreads to the tissues surrounding her brain and spinal cord. This is incurable. It will not get better. While there are treatments to alleviate the worst symptoms, there is no treatment to reverse it. We are already seeing the ill effects like double vision, memory loss, weakness. While mom is never one to give in, we are facing the worst possible outcome. Soon.
As you all know, healthcare is expensive, as is running a household. Mom’s condition will not permit her to work or drive. But we still need to keep the lights on and to pay the mortgage and to prepare for what’s coming. The road ahead is going to be tougher without resources.
Our mom is a single mother. Our little brother, Jacob, is 13. He’s going to need a lot of support. I guess we all do, but it’s different when you’re talking about a kid.
We are devastated. I love my mom so much and I’m so sorry for what she will have to endure over the next fews months. The disease. The treatments for the disease. The side effects from the treatment for the disease. And on top of all that, still trying to provide for her family and take care of a 13 year old boy.
My mom has always been generous and caring. She always has a positive outlook, even when things look gloomy. She taught me to focus on the positives in life and to hope. She taught us to hope for something better. When things are completely out of your control, you hope. She taught us to be kind and to be of service. She always helps when she can. Now she’s the one who needs help.
We are asking you for your help. Whatever you can spare. $5? $50? $500? 100% of the funds raised will go to alleviate the growing financial burden that comes with fighting a disease like this, and to make sure her son, Jacob, has the support he needs during what will be the most painful event of our lives. Will you please help us?
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. I know it will help alleviate a lot of stress during a stressful time and give my mom piece of mind that she doesn’t have to worry about some things. She’s got enough to worry about.
Thank you so, so much.
