Loving Vania Home
Donation protected
December 2, 2023
Hey, lovers. We are on Day 7 here at Northwestern. It has been a really tough week, and as always, we are so grateful to our amazing family and friends who have been reaching out. Pals, we are devastated to tell you that my medication has stopped working and the cancer has taken over. Unfortunately, chemo is no longer an option for me. We made the decision this week to enter in-home hospice care. I don’t know what else to say other than we are completely devastated. Before learning that I had stage four cancer, I had no idea of the complete grip that it can hold over your family, your friends, your own body.  I am grateful to hospice for allowing me the chance to say goodbye to my loved ones in the comfort of my own home.  Please feel free to  send a message or text if you would like to; I may not be able to get back to you, but please know that it will be read and appreciated. You can also reach out to Ben. I know I have said it before, but I mean it more than ever; tell your loved ones how much you love them now. There is no reason to wait to tell your kids, your friends, your coworkers, how much they mean to you and how proud you are of them. Through all of this, Ben and I both have just been so touched by the amount of true kindness in this world. We both love you guys so , so much and I will really miss you. My life these past 2 1/2 years has been absolutely perfect outside of this wicked cancer. Ben, you gave me life. And I would do it all again, just to have one night with you.
”Hi pals!” If you’ve been lucky enough in your life to have heard that sweet greeting from Vania, been on the receiving end of one of her top notch high fives, blessed with an all encompassing hug that makes you melt, or just have had the immeasurable joy of being in her presence, then you know what a bright light she is in this world. Vania leads her life with immense love, and never fails to bring smiles, good vibes, and makes each person she meets feel like the most important and special person in the room. She is the best of everything all wrapped up into the most genuine, positive and perfect soul, and she desperately needs our help.
As we all know, Vania has been through it over the last year and a half with her cancer journey. A lot has changed since her initial diagnosis, which means her needs and care have changed immensely as well.
Vania was diagnosed with genetic Stage IV ALK+ non small cell lung cancer early Summer of 2022, and unfortunately has been on a roller coaster with her health ever since. Initial treatments and medications were working, and we were seeing positive scans, and tumors shrinking! However, as we all know, things don’t always work out as easily as we hope or pray for. Since her initial diagnosis, Vania has also been found to have more than 30 cancerous lesions on her brain, has suffered a stroke with persistent loss of vision, has had life saving procedures to drain blood and fluid from around her chest, been through countless treatments, scans, MRIs, medications, and SO. MUCH. MORE…all while still fighting to breathe every day against her lungs and the cancer fighting back against her. Vania is by far the strongest person I know, and has battled and fought her way through every single challenge, treatment and test with grace, positivity, and that megawatt smile we all know and love
Vania’s treatment is becoming more complex, and therefore requiring quite a bit of extra care. She recently went through (and rocked!) 10 full sessions of brain radiation, and we are hoping and praying to move on to chemotherapy rounds in the near future. She has been on oxygen 24/7, and unfortunately is back to using her walker, shower chair, wheelchair, and many other aids just to help live daily life. Her dear husband Ben, has been by her side and holding her hand every step of the way, as well as her sweet parents who have made countless trips to Chicago with them, and so many amazing family and friends trying their best to help in any way possible.
Unfortunately, the reality is, Cancer is really expensive. Between daily trips to Northwestern including tolls, gas, train tickets, taxis, and hotels when necessary….to tests, medications, and procedures that haven’t been covered by her insurance and become a BIG out of pocket cost for her and Ben. Even all the necessities she needs for daily life, and quality of life, all add up pretty quickly. We all know Vania has always been a boss babe, and prided herself on her strong work ethic, but unfortunately she’s had to go on short term disability as well, as she’s more recently been unable to work while fighting these nasty cancers.
But before I ask for help, please let me shout the absolute biggest THANK YOU! Ben and Vania are beyond grateful for all the donations received from their first GoFundMe following Vania’s initial diagnosis. Your generosity made a huge impact allowing her to focus on her fight and journey to health. We all know Vania is so well loved, and has a huge tribe supporting her and sending love and healing vibes from near and far. The endless texts, calls, well wishes, prayers, errands ran, special deliveries of food and goodies, all the way down to the yardwork…Vania’s tribe spoke out loud and proud and supported her and Ben in every way! I have no doubt her tribe will show up just as strong as ever, ready to back our girl up during this next fight! So here’s the point where I please ask for your help. Any amount you’d be able to contribute, no matter how big or small, would go a tremendously long way in assisting Vania and Ben as they continue on this journey. Every single donation has gone, and will continue to go, directly to helping reduce the burden of tackling her continually rising medical bills, so Vania can focus on the job at hand…fighting these cancers, focusing on her health, and cherishing and spending as much time possible with all her loved ones. Your continued support, prayers, love, kind words, and generosity mean to the world to Vania and Ben as they keep fighting for the life of love together they so greatly deserve. Thank you will never be enough, and all of your love and support is so noticed and beyond appreciated.
#indianaisforlovers
#fcancer
Hey, lovers. We are on Day 7 here at Northwestern. It has been a really tough week, and as always, we are so grateful to our amazing family and friends who have been reaching out. Pals, we are devastated to tell you that my medication has stopped working and the cancer has taken over. Unfortunately, chemo is no longer an option for me. We made the decision this week to enter in-home hospice care. I don’t know what else to say other than we are completely devastated. Before learning that I had stage four cancer, I had no idea of the complete grip that it can hold over your family, your friends, your own body.  I am grateful to hospice for allowing me the chance to say goodbye to my loved ones in the comfort of my own home.  Please feel free to  send a message or text if you would like to; I may not be able to get back to you, but please know that it will be read and appreciated. You can also reach out to Ben. I know I have said it before, but I mean it more than ever; tell your loved ones how much you love them now. There is no reason to wait to tell your kids, your friends, your coworkers, how much they mean to you and how proud you are of them. Through all of this, Ben and I both have just been so touched by the amount of true kindness in this world. We both love you guys so , so much and I will really miss you. My life these past 2 1/2 years has been absolutely perfect outside of this wicked cancer. Ben, you gave me life. And I would do it all again, just to have one night with you.
”Hi pals!” If you’ve been lucky enough in your life to have heard that sweet greeting from Vania, been on the receiving end of one of her top notch high fives, blessed with an all encompassing hug that makes you melt, or just have had the immeasurable joy of being in her presence, then you know what a bright light she is in this world. Vania leads her life with immense love, and never fails to bring smiles, good vibes, and makes each person she meets feel like the most important and special person in the room. She is the best of everything all wrapped up into the most genuine, positive and perfect soul, and she desperately needs our help.
As we all know, Vania has been through it over the last year and a half with her cancer journey. A lot has changed since her initial diagnosis, which means her needs and care have changed immensely as well.
Vania was diagnosed with genetic Stage IV ALK+ non small cell lung cancer early Summer of 2022, and unfortunately has been on a roller coaster with her health ever since. Initial treatments and medications were working, and we were seeing positive scans, and tumors shrinking! However, as we all know, things don’t always work out as easily as we hope or pray for. Since her initial diagnosis, Vania has also been found to have more than 30 cancerous lesions on her brain, has suffered a stroke with persistent loss of vision, has had life saving procedures to drain blood and fluid from around her chest, been through countless treatments, scans, MRIs, medications, and SO. MUCH. MORE…all while still fighting to breathe every day against her lungs and the cancer fighting back against her. Vania is by far the strongest person I know, and has battled and fought her way through every single challenge, treatment and test with grace, positivity, and that megawatt smile we all know and love
Vania’s treatment is becoming more complex, and therefore requiring quite a bit of extra care. She recently went through (and rocked!) 10 full sessions of brain radiation, and we are hoping and praying to move on to chemotherapy rounds in the near future. She has been on oxygen 24/7, and unfortunately is back to using her walker, shower chair, wheelchair, and many other aids just to help live daily life. Her dear husband Ben, has been by her side and holding her hand every step of the way, as well as her sweet parents who have made countless trips to Chicago with them, and so many amazing family and friends trying their best to help in any way possible.
Unfortunately, the reality is, Cancer is really expensive. Between daily trips to Northwestern including tolls, gas, train tickets, taxis, and hotels when necessary….to tests, medications, and procedures that haven’t been covered by her insurance and become a BIG out of pocket cost for her and Ben. Even all the necessities she needs for daily life, and quality of life, all add up pretty quickly. We all know Vania has always been a boss babe, and prided herself on her strong work ethic, but unfortunately she’s had to go on short term disability as well, as she’s more recently been unable to work while fighting these nasty cancers.
But before I ask for help, please let me shout the absolute biggest THANK YOU! Ben and Vania are beyond grateful for all the donations received from their first GoFundMe following Vania’s initial diagnosis. Your generosity made a huge impact allowing her to focus on her fight and journey to health. We all know Vania is so well loved, and has a huge tribe supporting her and sending love and healing vibes from near and far. The endless texts, calls, well wishes, prayers, errands ran, special deliveries of food and goodies, all the way down to the yardwork…Vania’s tribe spoke out loud and proud and supported her and Ben in every way! I have no doubt her tribe will show up just as strong as ever, ready to back our girl up during this next fight! So here’s the point where I please ask for your help. Any amount you’d be able to contribute, no matter how big or small, would go a tremendously long way in assisting Vania and Ben as they continue on this journey. Every single donation has gone, and will continue to go, directly to helping reduce the burden of tackling her continually rising medical bills, so Vania can focus on the job at hand…fighting these cancers, focusing on her health, and cherishing and spending as much time possible with all her loved ones. Your continued support, prayers, love, kind words, and generosity mean to the world to Vania and Ben as they keep fighting for the life of love together they so greatly deserve. Thank you will never be enough, and all of your love and support is so noticed and beyond appreciated.
#indianaisforlovers
#fcancer
Organizer and beneficiary
Kara Garver
Organizer
South Bend, IN
Ben Elias
Beneficiary