10,000

(Please see current update)

This is my beautiful sister, Judy. We are raising money for living expenses while she endures treatment for small cell carcinoma. She has cancer in her lungs, liver, pancreas, bones, and brain. We desperately need funds so Judy can remain in her home. 

Judy has always been active and ready for adventure. She’s been a true Michigan girl, enjoying all the things each season would offer. Camping, boating, fishing, ice fishing...even hunting! She has traveled to many beautiful places to enjoy another hobby, snorkeling. But the most remarkable quality my sister possess is her desire to help others. She is a natural caregiver, and has a history of selflessly caring for others, particularly at the end of their life. 

The last ten years have brought one health crisis after another. I’ve watched my sister get knocked down over and over, and watched her rise again and again. She would rise with humor,  and with purpose and determination to work towards recovery. Eventually, she moved in with my parents as they needed help, care and, ultimately, home-hospice. First my dad, and then my mom. They trusted her completely. She cared for them wonderfully. 

The next couple years brought two more surgeries for Judy, and two more long and arduous recoveries. Sadly, she wasn’t able to get to the physical therapy portion from invasive neck surgery in fall 2019.  Instead, her body became racked with mysterious pains. She begged her doctors to help. She went to the ER in agony. On Christmas Eve. No one ordered tests. No one bothered to dig a little deeper. She was sent home again and again. Finally, on 2/14/20 she was so sick and in so much pain she went back to the ER again. She was admitted, where she learned for the first time her body was full of cancer. Small Cell Carcinoma. What everyone calls “the worst cancer” of all. Lungs, liver and pancreas. Then, weirdly, the hospital discharged her with no guidance or plan of action. So, off to Karmanos we went. Where we discovered there is also brain cancer. 

Now, with the help of my brother Michael and my niece Shannon, we’ve done our best to support Judy during this hard time with transportation, errands, and groceries.  Can you imagine going through radiation and chemo during a pandemic? Every appointment, every treatment faced alone. 

We have tried to obtain emergency disability to no avail. Offices are still closed due to covid, and it’s been impossible to reach a human on the phone. Judy’s living situation has become precarious and she is in desperate need of financial aid. She is living independently with her tiny dog, Minnie, and would like to remain so, for as long as possible.

Thank you and most sincerely,

Joanne Quenneville Roach, Judy’s little sister.