Hi Friends and Family,
Less than five weeks ago, My sister, Lisa, was diagnosed with advanced stage oral cancer. Less than two weeks after that she started hemorrhaging from her mouth (sorry to be so graphic – there’s really no other way to say it, and believe me – it was scary), so I brought her to the ER. They admitted her immediately and what followed was a whirlwind.
Within days, Lisa was in a coma, on a breathing tube, and facing one of the most aggressive surgeries doctors perform. Over nine hours, a team of ten surgeons worked to save her life, literally. They removed the tumor from her tongue, performed a radical neck dissection (because the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes), performed two skin grafts to reconstruct her tongue and placed a tracheostomy and a feeding tube.
Lisa is now in recovery. She cannot speak. She cannot eat. But she is alive, and she is fighting with everything she has. And while we consider the surgery a huge success and a win, she still has a long road ahead of her with both radiation and chemo coming up in the next few weeks.
I am creating this page for those who love Lisa, who are asking how they can help. Whether you know her personally or are hearing her story for the first time, we thank you for even considering a donation.
Your support will go toward:
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
• 24/7 caregiving and rehabilitation
• Transportation and support as needed for her children, Jolee and Troy
• Lost income from her career as a realtor
Thank you for your love, your prayers, and your generosity.
With all my heart,
— Jill
