Elizabeth Engel
Donation protected
Liz was diagnosed with stage 3 advanced lung cancer-adenocarcinoma in 2020 during the peak of covid. She had intense treatments of radiation and chemo right away followed by one year of immunotherapy treatments. She was having clear scans for about 6 months until recently at her 9 month scan doctors found a 1 inch brain tumor. She had brain surgery (ablation) to get rid of the tumor. The biopsy showed to be the same type of cancer they found in her lungs-adenocarcinoma. She had radiation to follow this surgery. Radiation left her exhausted and unable to swallow so they put a feeding tube in. She was tolerating the feedings well for about 2 weeks. Then she started having excruciating back pain which would keep her up at night. After a second trip to the hospital where she was admitted for 3 days they did another MRI to check on the back pain. They found the cancer has spread to her cervical spine and is in her cerebrospinal fluid and the leptomeninges, the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord. This type of cancer is called Leptomeningeal disease and is very aggressive. There is currently no cure and other treatments aren’t guaranteed. After talking with Liz her family decided that making her comfortable was what she wanted. She was placed on hospice on Wednesday August 3rd. Her family has been taking care of her and working with hospice to help her be pain free and comfortable.
She has fought like a true warrior for 2 years and has endured so much. But no matter what happens in her life she still continues to share the same beautiful grace and love towards others. She loves like Jesus and always puts others first. She served people her whole life being a nurse for 42 years. She never complained but always fought hard and kept positivity. Now we can show her and her family support and love during this difficult time. Additionally, asking for prayers for a pain free transition to heaven for Liz.
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Heltemes
Organizer
Osseo, MN
Nate Engel
Beneficiary