Alice Zendel Simon

      Our friend Alice could use our help. She would never ask for it but we will. You have witnessed her out and about enjoying life and volunteering to support many causes. As we all know she has a zest for life and wants everyone to experience the same. She has given so much to all of us — a confidant who listens - does not repeat - and offers advice, donations to causes and especially her time to many.
     What you don’t know is she has had Stage 4A metastatic thyroid cancer and had a thyroidectomy in 2014. The year 2015 was also challenging -- she had radiation, and her mom (who she was very close to) died that year.  And, this past spring she was told she is allergic to one of her favorite foods -- shellfish and mollusks.
     Every 6 months she has a CT scan of her neck, chest and thorax at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. In 2017 her thyroid cancer came back. Last August, 19 lymph nodes in her neck and chest were removed of which 7 were cancerous, followed again by radiation in December.
     And during her June 2017 visit and CT scan, a spot called ground glass was detected in her upper right lung lobe. (FYI — Ground glass is a hazy inflammation in a lung that appears when one has an infection, pneumonia, etc. but goes away when healed). The December CT scan of the lung showed no change and because it did not disappear the doctor asked her to return 6 months later for another scan. However, in June 2018 the CT revealed that the spot grew 3mm and became dense which usually indicates cancer. She was told it cannot be biopsied until the upper right lobe is out because the spot sits smack in the middle of the lobe. Therefore, neither a segment nor wedge can be taken and the entire upper right lobe and surrounding lymph nodes need to be removed. The surgeon believes the tumor is Stage 1 adenocarcinoma and he is hopeful chemo is not needed. The lung cancer is not metastatic from the thyroid and is a 2nd type of cancer.
     The surgery will be robotic with 4 incisions through the ribs with a chest tube to drain. She will probably be in the hospital for 3 nights.  Andrea and Marissa will be there with Richard in Tampa. When home, Andrea will care for her the first week. It will take some time to recoup,  but Alice just wants that “alien” as she calls it, out of her body even if she has to lay low for awhile.
     It is just incredible to battle 2 different types of cancer surgeries in less than a year. But our Alice is doing it with a positive attitude.
     As you can only imagine, the expenses have been beyond exorbitant. Alice & Richard have excellent PPO insurance yet besides the deductible, they are responsible for the percentage the insurance does not cover. Besides seeing an ENT, pulmonologist, oncologist, allergist, etc. on the east coast of Florida, they travel every 3 months or more to Tampa on the west coast. And they have to pay for doctor/hospital/ lab/pharmaceutical costs as well as hotel, food, gas, etc.
     When you speak to or see Alice please do not pity, feel sorry for or have sad eyes. That is why she has been mum about this — she wants to enjoy life when she isn’t undergoing treatment. Alice knows she will lead a long fun-filled life with her wonderful family and friends and will always remain our go-to person on FB for places to go.
     What we are asking is to turn the tide and help her as she has done for others. Please give to this Go Fund Me Page. The Simons could use our help with the many medical bills they are paying. The money raised will go toward easing the heavy financial burden of her treatment, surgery, recovery and follow-up. I know she will cry when she sees this (like the sensitive baby she is) because you care for her...