Fight like a Mom: Lani Forbes vs Cancer

Just two days after giving birth to her 3rd child, my loving, talented, and beautifully authentic sister Lani Forbes had the only symptom that would stop a delivery nurse and MD in their tracts in a labor ward: she was unable to move one side of her tongue. Fast forward through ruling out a stroke and ordering a CT scan, we received the devastating news that she has stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer. It is extremely rare and aggressive, but as she said in her own words, so is she. And she’s not alone in this fight.

Her “brave warrior,” baby Wyatt Emerson Forbes, is the reason we found the cancer and are in a position to be able to fight. Her husband, Kevin, has been the most incredible support and is her primary caregiver as they struggle through sleepless nights with their beautiful newborn boy and raising two other little ones at home. Our parents flew up from Mexico, I came from Seattle to help in the hospital, our younger sister flew out from Orange County to help her at home, her amazing in laws have babysat at a moments notice when she’s had to go to the ER, and her friends and writing community stretching from California to Idaho and beyond are pouring out an indescribable amount of love and support. Everyone is asking the same question, as we collectively echo “How can I help?”

Lani and Kevin have gratefully accepted meals, prayers, offers to babysit, and even loving offers of donated breastmilk since she stopped breastfeeding due to chemo, but they are unfortunately finding themselves up against mounting costs.

Current medical bills are already into the tens of thousands, Kevin has had to regularly shudder the doors of his business to be with Lani and the kids at home, and there is an increasing need for housecleaning help. In addition, they are hoping to order healthy, cancer-fighting meal deliveries and have upcoming flights/visits with MD Anderson in Texas to meet with the best specialists they can find for her rare cancer.

Please help throw your support behind Lani and Kevin as they enter the most demanding and difficult time of their lives. Whether you send your love, prayers, or donate what you can, we truly appreciate all of you rallying up with Lani as she continues to ruthlessly Fight like a Mom against cancer.

If you would like to connect with her as she shares her joys as a mom, successes as an author, and updates on her condition, please find her on Instagram @LaniForbes or on Facebook.