Fighting for Reese

I’d like tell you about and ask for support for my daughters 14 year old best friend Reese and her mother Toni who recently found out that Reese has a rare form of childhood cancer bone and soft tissue cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma on top of everything else this pandemic has caused.

I met Reese a year and a half ago when my daughter brought her home after school and she instantly became part of our family. Reese has a smile and way about her that instantly draws you in and the way she cares about her friends is second to none. I met Toni soon after and let me say this woman is one of the strongest, hard working, funny, people I know who would give you the shirt off her back or the last dollar in her wallet just to help.

I soon found out that they had just moved here from Grand Rapids and were in the process of setting up their lives here and as we all do needed a little help so Reese started coming to our home after school everyday. During those days I watched Toni tirelessly work 2 jobs at a child care center and fitness center some days from morning till well after 11 or 12 at night and in that time I watched her provide a place to call their own plus all the things that home needed on top of everything else. That woman is a fighter.. Those days listening to my daughter and Reese giggle in the bedroom or walking in my living room to find her curled up napping with one of the cats are some of my favorites.

Then COVID hit and as we all know it took not only a financial strain but mental burden on everyone and unfortunately Toni was not spared and not only one but both of her jobs were quickly shut down. Thankfully her and Reese were able to get through this together and during that time Toni was even able to purchase a newer more reliable car for them which is a huge blessing now.

Just as one of her jobs was reopening and things were starting to get back to some level of normal the unthinkable happened. On Sunday October 18th Reese went to the hospital because her right shoulder was hurting along with her feeling short of breath where a mass was found in her upper chest area over her lung. She was transferred to U of M Motts that night On Monday October 19th a biopsy was completed at Motts and Reese was released to go home. On Wednesday October 21st Dr. Kamat Reese’s oncologist from Motts called and informed them that the biopsy results came back and are positive for Ewing’s sarcoma a rare form of childhood bone and tissue cancer. On Saturday October the 24th Reese had a PET scan at U of M which will check for any other masses or spread. 

On Monday October 26th Reese will be admitted to Motts and the plan is on Monday during one procedure they will complete a bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap, and have a port placed for treatments and testing in the future and we’re not sure exactly when we will get these results back.

On Tuesday October 27th Reese will receive her first dose of Chemo.

Any money raised will be used to support Toni and Reese while they are going through this and Toni is out of work. It will be used for bills, gas, groceries, items for Reese as needed and medical bills that we know will be coming in the future.

Please keep Toni and Reese in your thoughts and prayers especially while they are going through these early stages and trying to navigate this whole new huge part of their lives. Thank you all