I am in awe of people's generosity. There have been so many donations for the Benefit Dinner. People who have given my mom and younger siblings gifts, treats, dinners, etc. I am so thankful for all that have been real-life angels to my family.

Something incredible recently happened that I want to share with everyone. My mom has a blood clot and the medication she needs to take is very, very expensive. Her limited insurance will not cover it. A pharmacy gave her the first week of medication for free. We still didn't have finances figured out after that week, so her oncologist gave her another week or so for free. During that time a lady at the hospital had been helping my mom by talking with the pharmaceutical company directly. We recently found out that the company will give my mom her medication. She needs to be on it for 6 months. That's about $30,000 of medication given to her!!

Thank you friends, family, and strangers that have been helping my family during this difficult time. I will be forever grateful.

- Kayla

Message from my mom (Cheryl):

I have been keeping really positive since finding out about my health challenge but yesterday I went in to get marked for radiation- tattooed- and the dr. I guess has to be blunt- I was embarrassed to start crying and told him I was really trying to remain positive and am expecting a miracle. Then a few hours later I had to go to the chemo place and have my port flushed and blood drawn in prep. for starting on Monday. It was a real big dose of reality and I let negativity in. Wouldn't you know my r. s. pres. would be inspired to bring down a plethora of gifts for the kids, me and tasty treats. After reading her note which was the most important gift, I was reminded that none of us are alone, we are watched and cared for by a most loving Father!

Message from Mom: 

I just wanted to thank EVERYONE! I can't believe the love, thoughts, prayers, anonymous and known gifts being sent my way. I am way humbled and grateful! Met with the oncologist today and have my 5 week plan set, I think it is possible to see a miracle in 5 weeks, that is what I am praying for but if not I will keep going with the next plan! Thanks everyone!

Thank you everyone that has included our family in your prayers, sent nice messages, brought food and fun stuff for the kids, and has donated money. We greatly appreciate it and are amazed by everyone's kindness.


Donovan and I are making a lot of progress on planning the benefit dinner. We have received a lot of cool donations for the auction so far. If anyone would like to help us sell tickets or post flyers, let me (Kayla)  know. :) 


Our mom is still recovering from the surgeries and her hospital stay. She is really achy and low on energy. We would like to request that she have no visitors for awhile, so she can concentrate on healing and resting. You are more than welcome to write her a letter, email, or even comment on this blog. 


We are all looking forward to seeing everyone at the Benefit Dinner. 


-Kayla

My mom was able to to go home today! They found a blood clot in her lung, so they put her on blood thinner. Problem is, her tumor is bloody, so the medication has made it leak even more blood. Once she starts radiation it should shrink the tumor enough that it won't be a problem.

Miracles keep happening left and right. I thank you all for your prayers. When they took the first lung biopsy the test result came back as "dead cells". The doctors thought dead cancer cells, so they took a second lung biopsy to double check. (sometimes the inner part of a cancer cell will be dead, but the outer will still be alive)  We got the second test result back, there is no cancer in her lung! This doesn't change her diagnosis, still stage-freaking-4. But it is better than if it was in her lung.

-Kayla

February 20-21, 2012

10 PM Monday night my mom called Donovan (my husband) and I. She was in severe pain and throwing up blood. We sped over to her house and took her into the ER. Her bowel had a kink in it, a complication from when they put the feeding tube in her small intestine on Thursday. I am very impressed with the ER doctor and nurse, they totally had my mom's back with everything and they were just plain awesome. Actually all of her doctors are awesome, and hunks as well ;) 

We stayed in the ER until 2 AM.. they then moved her into a regular room in the hospital. Donovan and I left when she started to fall asleep (around 3:40 AM). Cody (my mom's oldest kid) came to stay with her after his night shift.

Her surgery was successful. They unkinked her bowel, removed the feeding tube from small intestine, and put a feeding tube in her stomach. My mother has the best attitude about everything. She's quite the jokester. She was telling jokes in the ER, before the surgery, afterwards... anytime of day or night, regardless of how much pain she is in, she will say funny things.

The first thing she asked me when she came out of Post-Op, was how are my siblings doing. After I said they are doing good, she started to complain. Not about pain or how much this situation sucks, but complained that a nurse didn't laugh at her joke! Right before the operation a nurse asked her if she was allergic to anything, she responded, "you mean besides cancer". 

On Sunday, February 12, 2012, my mom went to the emergency room. She thought she had a blood clot or something minor. After a few hours of tests the doctor came in and told us that she has cancer. He was as gentle as he could be breaking the news. My mind and body disconnected. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare. The doctor told us a few details about the cancer. I don't remember much from that day or from that week. But I do remember my mom asking the doctor if she could cry now.  My mother is a strong lady who has endured many things. It is unfair for her to get dealt this card too.


She stayed in the hospital for a week. While there she had tests done, a feeding tube put in her small intestine, and we got the test results back.


Stage 4 esophageal cancer. It has spread into some lymph nodes and there is a spot on her lung. It's terminal. The doctor did not even give her a 1% chance, just said it is not curable. He said without treatment the life expectancy is 6 months, with treatment 1 year, but in her case he is hoping for 2+ years. I am hoping for 20+ years. Miracles happen everyday. I desperately need one to happen for my family. My mom is a single mom with 5 kids. The youngest is only 3. My two youngest siblings know she has cancer, but do not know the severity of the situation. We'd like to keep it that way.


Pre-cancer diagnosis, my mom was running a daycare out of her home for income. She can no longer work. I created this blog to keep people updated on her cancer treatments, let people know of upcoming fundraisers, and to ask for any prayers or good thoughts you can send my mom's way. If you would like to donate money or buy something from the shop, that would be greatly appreciated. 100% of all proceeds will go directly to my mom. Any money would really help out with her medical bills and her finances.


I am doing everything I can, but some things can't be done alone. Please help me save my mom.


- Kayla