Brenda's Battle against Colon Cancer

Hi everyone! This is Brenda Norvell's niece Bobbie. We, as a family, are asking for help for my auntie to get her through the hardest fight of her life.

Brenda has spent the last few months going through very aggressive rounds of chemo to fight stage 4 colon cancer. She is now preparing herself for a very risky surgery to have the cancer removed and her bowels reconstructed. She is the most humble of people and does not ask for help... So that's where I come in!!

It's always hard for one to admit, but Brenda is struggling. Physically, mentally, and financially. She ran out of medical leave almost 2 months ago... Unknowing to her, when she did her yearly insurance update paperwork, extended medical leave was not selected as a benefit. Because of this, she has lost her job and also her benefits - including health insurance (thankfully there is medicaid). Brenda is currently homeless and has moved around to stay with different family members. (No matter what, she will have a place to stay!! But that is different than having a place to call home.) She is in desperate need of funds for gas, bills - storage unit/auto insurance, medication, and personal care items. She has even went as far as washing dishes when able to have a few $s in her pocket to cover some of her personal care. With covid, and her very weakened immune system, she should not be working in the general public and worried about finances. She should instead be focused on her health and building her strength for surgery! So please consider even a $5 donation. Every little bit goes a long way and will be very helpful in getting Brenda the things she needs!

Brenda's Battle story ❤️

April '21, the day after her baby sister was laid to rest from pancreatic cancer, Brenda had to have a cancerous spot removed from her shoulder. After surgery there were concerns that led to other tests. In the beginning it was misdiagnosed. After landing in the ER the beginning of May and more testing, Brenda was diagnosed with stage 3C Colon cancer. A cancer diagnosis is horrendous no matter what, but immediately following the death of a little sister who passed from cancer makes it even more terrifying.

Brenda had a colostomy done that went very wrong and started having really bad pains a day or 2 later so they took her back into surgery and found her colon had detached and her small intestine torn. She woke up with multiple colostomy bags and no idea of everything that had happened. She battled infections and multiple risky procedures. In critical condition, she spent a month in the hospital.

June 2nd Brenda was finally released from the hospital! Because of her multiple surgeries and healing, they had to wait to start chemo. July 2nd she started her first treatment. They used a very aggressive chemo and she had treatments every other week.

Sept 24th she had scans done. The chemo was shrinking the tumor... Enough so they can try to surgically remove! BUT with the good news of the tumor shrinking, there was bad news as well. They did find a spot on her liver that was also responding to the chemo. Because of this she was moved to a stage 4A level colon cancer and also added another round of aggressive chemo.

October 11th they met with her team of doctors. Surgery is scheduled for November 16th! They will be removing the tumor and reversing the colostomy and mucous fistula... the ileostomy will stay for a few more months while she recovers from this surgery! The goal for ileo reversal is February. The liver surgeon will attend and remove the spot on her liver as well. If everything goes as planned, hospital stay will be anywhere from 5 days-2 weeks. Recovery out of the hospital will be 5-6 weeks. While there's a little light shining through the end of the tunnel, she still has some road to cover!

For those who have read Brenda's story, I thank you. This has been a very tough year for Brenda and our family as well. We do everything we can to keep Brenda's spirits up and stress lessoned but there's still so much she needs to get through this journey. If you are unable to help monetarily, prayers are always needed and so much appreciated ❤️

Photos of Brenda's journey and a link to Brenda's support group ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4049224998531558/?ref=share