Breathe For Mary
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Mary is a long time resident of Le Center and an Ordained Minister. She has 4 children, 16 grand-children and 2 great-grandsons. She has been battling Stage IV Lung Cancer since May of 2013. In the last 5 years Mary has endured a lot of treatments as well as hospitalizations. She has been on disability since she was first diagnosed and was working less than part time in the church, however for the last couple of years because of her health she has not been able to work at all.
The day Mary’s oncologist told her that she had Stage IV Lung Cancer was the darkest day of her life and she was told that the average lifespan with this type of lung cancer was 1 1/2 years. But thank God and all the prayers from her loving family and friends she has been blessed to still be here after 5 yrs. Mary was and still is determined to fight this horrible disease.
The cancer was first discovered in Mary’s hip and she had to have a hip replacement along with most of her femur replaced. After scans and a biopsy it was discovered that she had tumors by her heart and aorta and because they were so close to vital organs she was not able to have surgery. Mary then had Chemotherapy and radiation to her hip and lungs and would later have radiation done a second time on her hip and lungs. They also discovered, 1 ½ years later, that Mary had several small tumors in her brain so she was put through Gamma Knife Radiation.
Last summer they tried Immunotherapy (Keytruda), which has helped many patients with this type of cancer, however that only put fluid around her heart and she had to be hospitalized to remove the fluid. Mary has also been hospitalized twice for blood transfusions because her blood levels are getting too low from all the treatments that she has received and has had to have stints put in her bronchial tubes because the tumors were closing the tubes which causes her to cough a lot and experience shortness of breath. They also cored some of the tumors that were in her bronchial tubes. Mary also continues to take Zometa, which is a bone strengthening medicine, which we think has helped keep the cancer from going to her bones again.
Right now, Mary is on her third treatment plan since the Immunotherapy because they don't seem to be working as well as they did when she was first diagnosed. The doctors say that there is a pill that has helped other lung cancer patients, but because this pill is not FDA approved for lung cancer patients Mary’s insurance company will not pay for it. The doctors do not know if there are any more chemo treatments that would benefit her, so we are praying that this current treatment will keep Mary thriving. Mary would like to go to the Cancer Center of America in Phoenix if Rochester can no longer assist her.
Mary is hard pressed to ask for help, but because of all the medical bills, transportation back and forth to Rochester, prescription drugs, and attending the Cancer Center of America in Zion, Illinois, it has been incredibly hard to keep up financially. Mary’s family and friends/community have decided to come together and ask for your support. You can show your support instantly by attending the fundraiser and/or visiting her GoFundMe page and/or dropping off a donation in her name at the First National Bank in Le Center.
Your Support AND Prayers are Greatly Appreciated. The benefit is set for August 18th at the American Legion in Le Center.
The day Mary’s oncologist told her that she had Stage IV Lung Cancer was the darkest day of her life and she was told that the average lifespan with this type of lung cancer was 1 1/2 years. But thank God and all the prayers from her loving family and friends she has been blessed to still be here after 5 yrs. Mary was and still is determined to fight this horrible disease.
The cancer was first discovered in Mary’s hip and she had to have a hip replacement along with most of her femur replaced. After scans and a biopsy it was discovered that she had tumors by her heart and aorta and because they were so close to vital organs she was not able to have surgery. Mary then had Chemotherapy and radiation to her hip and lungs and would later have radiation done a second time on her hip and lungs. They also discovered, 1 ½ years later, that Mary had several small tumors in her brain so she was put through Gamma Knife Radiation.
Last summer they tried Immunotherapy (Keytruda), which has helped many patients with this type of cancer, however that only put fluid around her heart and she had to be hospitalized to remove the fluid. Mary has also been hospitalized twice for blood transfusions because her blood levels are getting too low from all the treatments that she has received and has had to have stints put in her bronchial tubes because the tumors were closing the tubes which causes her to cough a lot and experience shortness of breath. They also cored some of the tumors that were in her bronchial tubes. Mary also continues to take Zometa, which is a bone strengthening medicine, which we think has helped keep the cancer from going to her bones again.
Right now, Mary is on her third treatment plan since the Immunotherapy because they don't seem to be working as well as they did when she was first diagnosed. The doctors say that there is a pill that has helped other lung cancer patients, but because this pill is not FDA approved for lung cancer patients Mary’s insurance company will not pay for it. The doctors do not know if there are any more chemo treatments that would benefit her, so we are praying that this current treatment will keep Mary thriving. Mary would like to go to the Cancer Center of America in Phoenix if Rochester can no longer assist her.
Mary is hard pressed to ask for help, but because of all the medical bills, transportation back and forth to Rochester, prescription drugs, and attending the Cancer Center of America in Zion, Illinois, it has been incredibly hard to keep up financially. Mary’s family and friends/community have decided to come together and ask for your support. You can show your support instantly by attending the fundraiser and/or visiting her GoFundMe page and/or dropping off a donation in her name at the First National Bank in Le Center.
Your Support AND Prayers are Greatly Appreciated. The benefit is set for August 18th at the American Legion in Le Center.
Fundraising team: Breathe For Mary (3)
Julie Heilman Factor
Organizer
Le Center, MN
Sheryl Heilman
Beneficiary
Mary Miska
Team member