Help Beth Beat Cancer

UPDATE February 2025:

Hello to new and old friends, and strangers around the world.

Beth is currently 30 rounds of radiation. She is living in housing provided by the American Cancer Society, as her home base and is nearly a 3 hour drive. While she is in treatment she is also seeing a speech therapist, physical therapist, and other oncology doctors on her team.

At the end of November, Beth underwent a LIFE SAVING surgery. I am finally at a point that I can say out loud, the cancer was killing her. She was in so much pain, she could barely get up to go to the bathroom. The only way she was sustaining her body was with formula in her feeding tube. We are INCREDIBLY grateful that she was able to get care at MD Anderson, the best head and neck cancer center we could find. They removed 80 percent of her natural tongue, and constructed a flap made from the muscle of her thigh. The flap is sewn to the floor of her mouth to help fill the void where her tongue used to be.

The surgery was successful, clear margins around the tumor. The 75 lymph nodes they removed during the neck dissection were also free of cancer. However, her pathology revealed that the cancer was Stage 4, aggressive, and had perineural invasion. The nerve invasion makes the risk of recurrence and spreading higher. That is why her team recommended she have radiation again. They will zap any microscopic cells that may have been left behind.

With your support, she is able to be off from work to receive treatment and rehabilitation. She is learning to speak again and is building her confidence everyday. Life will look very different, but beautiful for her when she is done with treatment. We continue to be humbled by the kind words, generous donations, and prayers you've wrapped our family in.

Thank you for being here.

March 2024:

We never expected to be writing, "my sister has cancer." But on March 11th, Bethie (she prefers Beth LOL) was diagnosed with Oral Cavity Tongue Cancer. She has a large, 4 cm tumor that needs to go.

As a family we are determined this is a detour on Beth's path and we are going to support her on her healing mission.

She is at the beginning of this process - navigating her diagnosis, jumping from doctor to doctor, learning what all of this means. She will be starting treatment in April - seven weeks of radiation paired with chemo therapy. Her radiology oncologist said this is a treatable cancer, but will be a hard road to healing.

As many of you are aware, Beth has had a successful career in hospitality and LOVES what she does. Seeing her people, sharing in your lives, and mixing the drinks will take a back seat while she is fighting this battle. It is clear that she is going to be without work during her treatment.

I can say with confidence that Beth has made an impact on each of our lives, and we are so grateful for the expansive network of friends and family that she has across the US. It can be hard to know how to help where it is needed most so we are creating a place that you can make an impact. Cancer is a dreadful opponent - steep cost of treatments and therapies coupled with an inability to work can quickly drain one's savings, leaving them with financial stress that hinders the ability to focus on recovery.

Our goal is to ensure that Beth can access the best medical care without the added worry of mounting bills. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a significant impact for her. We kindly request you share this campaign with your network and manifest healing for her. Let's rally around our girl, and help her through this.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, we are forever grateful for the support, prayers, and love you have shown her.

Elise and Michelle (The Riehle Girls)