Benita's Journey: Lung Cancer & Hope

My name is Brenda Harman and I want to help my sister, Benita Grabowski, make it through a Lung Cancer diagnosis that will require surgery and then a course of both Chemo and Radiation.

Benita's frame of mind is good! She has been accepted for treatment at City of Hope in Phoenix, which is the best cancer center in the country, and most procedures will be covered by Medicare. We are thankful that she went in for heart palpitations and x-rays caught the cancer early. Benita survived breast cancer 25 years ago, and we are happy to learn that the cancer is not metastasized from anywhere in the body, but rather are stand-alone lung cancer cells. Oddly enough, there are two tumors to remove and they are two different lung cancers. She is an excellent candidate for surgery and her cancer team is optimistic and enthusiastic.

Everything is happening quickly and Benita and Michael are weathering the expenses that arise with the help of family. It has run $80 for either a round-trip to the treatment center or an overnight in a hotel, and there are many trips, as they are running many tests and consults follow a few days later.

Then about 4 weeks ago, Benita's faithful car blew up. They do have Michael's big diesel truck that pulls the fifth wheel when needed, so they do technically have wheels to get to appointments or the store. I have been in touch with organizations that might be able to help with finding a good car, but will need to raise some funds for purchase and hopefully help Benita with the myriad of expenses, big and small, that come up on a daily basis as she follows all advice from the doctors.

My sister is bravely fighting the good fight and remaining positive about treatment. She remembers chemo and radiation and is not looking forward to it, but is not letting it get her down. She says, "Let's get started!" I am so proud of her.

I will make sure that she receives all funds raised here and we are grateful for any help we receive! I will post updates here as they provide info from all the tests and stuff. Thank you.

If you wish to send a card, Benita Grabowski, PO Box 75, Quartzsite, AZ 85346