Colleen Trempe Fund

Hi, I am Lia Gammon and I am fundraising for Colleen Trempe. Colleen and Nick got engaged in November of 2021 and had plans to be married in April 2023. The wedding got postponed because shortly after getting engaged, she found out she had Lymphoma-- a cancer of the blood. She has a tumor in her right lung that prevents her from playing her trombone.  That tumor is now pressing against her heart.  The doctors here in Richmond, VA after 8 months of treatments recommended she go to Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC because of medical complications. Her situation is dire.   When she got to Duke Cancer she tested positive for Covid and only her left lung was working at half capacity.  She was fighting to breathe.  By midnight her lung capacity was less than a 1/4 open in 1 lung.  They had to put her on a ventilator so she could breathe.  The choice was death if we do nothing or possible  death during the ventilator procedure because of the tumor pressing on her heart.  The procedure went well and the ICU doctors at Duke bought her time.  The ventilator gave Colleen’s lungs a break since it was doing the breathing for her. 

    Nick told us that throughout Colleen’s battle with Cancerthings seem to happen at night with her.  She had gone through 2 separate surgeries for  perforations in her bowels, clots in her heart, and more since April.   Nick and Colleen's dad have the power of attorney and one of them must be there at all times in Durham, NC. They expect her to be there for a minimum of 3 months for cancer treatments once they can start them.  . It can be longer than 3 months. Right now we are on a day to day status.  The rest of the family is switching off with Nick and Bob at the hospital so that they can get some rest.

   We are fundraising to help with the out-of-pocket medical expenses, travel, and the high costs of housing even with medical discounts.

 URGENT UPDATE FRIDAY.    Colleen had a stint put in her heart to help with the blood flow 2 nights  ago.  The doctors now have her on antibiotics because she has an infection.   Her blood pressure has dropped and she is not responding.  please Pray for this wonderful girl who brings so much light and love into the world.  I want to hear the wonderful music she makes again. 

UPDATE SUNDAY:  It was a somber ride to Durham, NC Friday night—- from sobbing uncontrollably to tears running down my face we drove as fast as we could.   We got there at 8:48pm. Visiting hours were ending.  The staff was waiting on us to arrive.  The doctors said she probably wouldn’t make it through the night.   I couldn’t allow this girl to leave our family.  After my parents died I had a difficult time coming to terms with it.  I read books about Near Death Experiences (NDE) and there was a common theme that people in comas or on the operating table were often in the room watching everything.  One person who suffered a heart attacked notice the doctor had on golf shoes.  Apparently the doctor was called off the golf course to perform the surgery.  Knowing that and where we were with Colleen I started talking about her not being in her body since she wasn’t responding.  I also started reading posts of encouragement and love from her page.  I was holding her hand and she pulled it away.  I didn’t think anything of it.  I thought it was a reflex.  I kept reading.  I realize today that she touched my phone as I was reading things to her Friday night because my pages changed.  I thought it was the stupid gloves I had to wear.  Anyhow she seemed restless and moved her head just a tad.  The nurses came in and told me I had to leave since it was after visiting hours.  I was at the foot of her bed looking straight at her and saw recognition.l said I am coming back to see you in the morning and she moved her head as if to say yes!!!!  

I was ecstatic!   Nick was coming back to spend the night in the room with Colleen.  I went into the waiting room so we could switch.  Nick was ecstatic also!  Lee was also however he was concerned that I wanted this to happen so bad that I could have imagined it.  Allyson was thrill.  Bob, Colleen’s dad said I witnessed a miracle. Sarah was so happy!   

   Nick texted us through the night to say she was responsive — she had not been for 48 hours previously. 

The ICU doctors, about 5 of them came in the morning and could not believe the change in Colleen since the day before.   They weren’t hopeful, but they changed their minds.  They also got turned on to the music of Audacity Brass Band and have become huge fans.  

God has answered the prayers of many to help Colleen. This has been a rough road.  During the last few months her Employer terminated her because she was unable to work full time due to her chemo treatment regimes. If you have ever met Colleen you will notice the wonderful person that she is.  She puts others before herself.  She is so loving and caring.   I appreciate every penny that you all have donated.  Your donations are helping to make her life better and less stressful.  Thank you all  for your generosity, kindness and caring towards Colleen Trempe.  You will never know how this matters to her and our family.  

You may know Colleen as the badass female trombone player in Audacity Brass Band with Badass Colleen Trempe She is a PHENOMENAL MUSICIAN and we want to hear the beautiful music she makes. Help us by contributing anything you can give to her. We thank you for your support. God bless you