Help Ana Kundzicz (Greco) Get Back On The Horse!

With Thor

Making metal!

Ana's talents (video)

Training (video)

"I can't believe it." is a phrase that has gone through my head the last few weeks. The silliness is, I can believe it. We have all had family members and friends survive or lose to this. Maybe a hero you never knew but deeply admired. Maybe someone you met only once or twice but they made a lasting impression on you. Cancer has made its presence known, gotten in our face, done us dirty and broken our hearts. In this real life story, we are aiming to lift up one individual who is now facing cancer for the third time.

The fortitude Ana has lived and displayed has been a big middle finger to cancer through and through. Her survival is a testimony to it all. There have been two major surgeries that left her bedridden for weeks and rehabbing for months. Chemotherapy that even a few years later leaves her still negotiating her new normal. "What part of my body will hurt today." A cyphoning of energy in the body that does not agree with a go-getter active brain. An amazing financial and security burden constantly gnawing and distracting from the true battle. Frustration and fear are words that come up a lot.

In spite of it all, Ana still holds her head high and is open to sharing her story as the stories of others have inspired her. I encourage you to read through the previous update on this campaign page written by Ana. It is more technically informative to her situation and holds nothing back.

I've known Ana since 1996. She and I have been through a lot together over the years. We've been the closest of companions, bandmates, dog park goers, and have supported each other during family crises. To know Ana is to know she is a dyed-in-the-wool music fan, horse whisperer, a computer geek and gamer. She also has a huge place in her heart for animals and owns several that fly, bark, meow, and "neigh.” In recent years she has become a wife to Michael Gonzalez. Much of that newlywed time has been occupied by fighting this illness. Regardless, they have built in fun, entertainment and love wherever they can. I just want to send a "Hell Yeah!" to Michael for all he's been doing. I can not fathom the effort and perseverance he has shown.

What is ahead:

There's still information left to learn about this current bout of cancer. At this time, Ana has been through some terribly painful tests and waiting on a lot of scary news. This Wednesday, August 13th, Ana will undergo a Hysterectomy in efforts to determine how knock out this new bout of cancer and its ability to spread (as well as see if it has spread, and what treatment/s would be required).

The punchline:

The punchline is, Ana is facing Grade 3 endometrial carcinoma. This is the most worrisome and aggressive form. The staging of the disease has not yet been identified. Cancer is a scary unpredictable affliction and I'm not talking just about its physical affliction. Ana has always been a self sufficient and independent woman. Cancer can financially destroy even the most financially responsible. She has had a lot of community rally around her and help where possible. Not everything comes down to manpower though, and after 2 previous bouts of cancer, manpower can be in short supply. So I am asking you to donate to this GoFundMe campaign for so many reasons. First, I'd like you to imagine the ways your donation can and will help. Now I'll remind you of a few places your donation will help. Retrofitting home to accommodate new physical limitations, pet care, medical supplies not covered by insurance, copays, wardrobe, food and general support for loss of income through illness and treatment.

And I still "can't believe it." Here we are again asking for support so Ana can mentally and financially face this thing. No doubt we will persevere as much as it takes to add relief and quality to Ana and Michael's lives.

I am asking you to donate. If you already have, I am asking you to donate again if you find it reasonable. If you are unable to donate financially you have the power to help just as much by sharing this campaign. Please share this GoFundMe campaign to your socials. Consider forwarding it to people directly through messages, texts and otherwise. Be creative and let's produce some relief and hope.

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Support

Greetings, my name is Mike Bear.

I first met Anastasia Kundzicz (Greco) in 1998. We've experienced every version of friendship together, including jamming tunes out in the sweaty rehearsal room, and onstage in a band. Since she left California for Illinois, I've always looked forward to her trips back home so we could get some dog park action in along with a good catch-up.

Over the last few years, Ana hasn't been able to travel home due to facing immeasurable challenges, and now once again she faces a fight for her life. Thank you for taking the time to read on...

It started several years ago with a "cyst" that tested as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in her skin. Lymphoma is a blood cancer that doesn't allow defective blood cells to kill themselves off, but rather reproduce quickly and form lesions or masses that cannot be surgically removed. This diagnosis led to many pokes, scans, skin and marrow biopsies, later digging deeper: muscle, bone, port placement/removal, neurosurgery of low back, 2nd opinions, changes in care teams, etc. Finally undergoing chemotherapy in the Summer of 2022 with expected side-effects as well as allergic reactions, she landed in a good place. The lesions which had made it to her muscle, bones and nerve pathways were gone except for a speck.

This is now:

She's back in the trenches, though she's never stopped fighting. The speck is now a mass in, around, and through her upper spine and almost touches her spinal cord. Not only is this extremely painful, but carries the risk of losing use of her legs and other functions if not treated effectively. Ana has started new chemotherapy and is rapidly scheduled for another exploratory neurosurgery on 7/14 that will see her laid up again, possibly sick with additional treatment.

Ana is a strong, independent woman who loves animals, music/guitar-playing, gaming, and general silliness. She's a homeowner, horse owner/trainer + trail guide, and by day works in Medical Imaging. She moved from the Los Angeles area to Illinois to stand by her company, and after 20 years, with 8 traveling to work in hospitals around the country, she declares "I'm on the wrong side of the monitors and scanners!" Her testing and treatment including chemotherapy, physical therapy and pain management are a challenge that brings not only physical but emotional complications. Ana's Oncology and Neurosurgery teams have approached with caution to ensure tests and treatments are given at the right times so as not to negate efforts past, present, and future. This can include waiting in pain and fear until the risks are lesser than the benefits of sending poison through her body.

Even the most financially secure individuals could be greatly damaged by the position Ana is in. She's slated to reduce her hours/roles at her job unexpectedly for a second time, and doing this again immediately causes another financial hardship. This affects income, housekeeping, pet care, transportation, the ability to give riding lessons, travel to hospitals for work, and obtain living and medical supplies. These burdens will become struggles if the illness and treatment progress. Ana does live alone at the moment and has graciously received help over the last couple of years from friends and neighbors.

Having faced a lot of challenges throughout her life, Ana always comes out smiling. One of the more heartbreaking parts of this story is that she couldn't return home after her mother passed away as it was too close to completing chemotherapy to travel. Fearlessness is for fools, which she is not. She knows where she stands at this moment and faces it head-on. Terrifying as it is, this fight is for no more or less than survival. When the dust has settled, she'll still be faced with overwhelming hardships in physical recovery and financial recovery. All these reasons are why I am writing this campaign to support Ana. We need the fuel of friends, family, and community supporting her through this.

Why you're reading this: In the 25 years I've known Ana, I've never known her to ask for help. With needs immeasurable and unpredictable, she needs this support. If you've met Ana through the horse world, the music scene, the gaming community, school, the deaf community, healthcare-professional world, I am asking you to donate. If you don't know Ana but have seen someone you love go through a similar experience as many of us have, I'm asking you to donate. After years of Ana aiding in Doctors saving lives, it's time for her to rest, get treatment, and be on the other side of the medical equipment. It's time for her to be lifted up by those around her including the community and profession she has supported so well. I am asking you not only to support but to join this fight. If you are unable to donate, feel free to send Ana well wishes and encouragement. That is equally as important.

It must be mentioned that a Go Fund Me page was previously set up for Ana over a year ago. On behalf of Ana, she would like to express her deepest gratitude for that. This is a fresh campaign based on revised circumstances and needs.

All donations go directly to Ana via Go Fund Me so she can access your help immediately. Please check back for updates!

Thank you for reading,

Mike Bear