Love for Marylou and Scott

Marylou Tiempo loves her life! She LOVES her L.A. Dodgers! LOVES New Kids on the Block! LOVES her cats. LOVES her friends. LOVES her husband, Scott. LOVES life!

     In early summer of 2016, Marylou Tiempo started to notice lower back pain that wouldn't go away. She assumed it was sciatica and even went to a physical therapist to see how she could relieve such pain. As time went by, she noticed unusual changes in her mobility, such as the inability to lift her feet while going upstairs. Summer transitioned into Fall and her pain continued to worsen, so much so that she was unable to get out of bed.
     
On the day of a dear friend's funeral, she tried to get out of bed but was in so much pain, she insisted that her husband, Scott, go without her. They tried going to a local urgent care that morning, but Marylou did not want Scott to be late to the funeral, and decided she can wait until the next morning. It was obvious that something was definitely unusual but she felt it would be fine and could wait.
     
The next morning, Scott took Marylou into the ER at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.  After several tests and an MRI, the attending doctor took them aside and informed them of multiple tumors throughout her body. She was diagnosed with ER Positive HER2 Negative breast cancer...metastatic cancer. In her breasts, in her lung, multiple tumors in her spine. And she thought it was just sciatica. Needless to say, it was as if someone punched them in the gut. Suddenly, their world as they knew it ended. The doctors immediately prepared her for surgery to focus on the lumbar region (lower back) of her spine. The tumor had grown so large it broke out and around the vertebrae, thus explaining her loss of mobility and increase in pain. They shaved off most of the tumor, leaving just a bit for fear of rupturing her aorta. The surgery was a success thanks to the amazing team of surgeons at Cedars Sinai. 
     
Soon after, she was able to go home and started focusing on cancer treatment.  For a few years, from 2016 until recently, she continued to work, attend Dodger games, even going to Spring training in 2017, and hanging out with her BFF, Bestie, and her fantastic gang of New Kids on the Block friends, going to concerts, NKTOB cruises, you name it!


Late Spring of this year, her oncologist noticed that the treatment needed to be more aggressive. The cancer was growing so they placed her on a routine of chemotherapy once a week. Late this summer, she started radiation therapy, every day for 6 weeks on top of her weekly chemo.
     
A little over a month ago, her radiologist expressed his concern over Marylou's diminishing ability to walk and increasing dizziness, so he recommend she get a CT scan.  The result: a brain tumor. They scheduled surgery to implant a port so they can start radiation
treatment.  As one can imagine, this was yet another punch in the gut. 
     
On November 14, 2019, on her 47th birthday,  Marylou experienced a seizure. Scott found her, called 911, who transported her to a nearby hospital. She was admitted into the ICU and we all thought for sure we were going to lose her.  Once again, she found herself in the hospital on her birthday.
     
The team at Cedars Sinai was amazing and familiar with Marylou's condition, so Scott made every effort to move her safely back.  Once she was admitted, they were able to stabilize her.  She made an amazing comeback, making significant strides every single day she was there.
     
Despite an attempt to continue to treat her, it has been determined that her quality of life is of utmost priority. Hence, all chemo and radiation treatments have ended. She was released from Cedars Sinai into a skilled facility nursing home where she is well taken care of by an amazing group of people.

      Over the last three years, Marylou continued to work until right before her seizure. Scott continues to work but spends much of his time making sure he is with her and taking care of home.  Sadly, Marylou's mother passed away less than three months ago. Her father passed when she was a teenager, and she has no siblings or close-knit relatives in the area. However, she is surrounded by people who love her. Life-long friends, her amazing friends from the NKOTB community...we are her family.





Scott continues to work as much as he can, both through the restaurant and through his art. But not having the additional income is making a tremendous impact on their quality of life. Due to a surmounting amount of medical expenses that continue to increase, they need our help with her care. She is unable to go home without 24/7 supervision. Scott is unable to do so because he has to make a living in order to take care of their basic needs. 

     
On December 1st, Marylou and Scott celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary in the hospital room. Yet another milestone marred by the shadow of cancer. Married for 12 years, and together for a total of 22 years, Scott and Marylou have been with each other for more than half their own lives. They do not know life without the other. They share the sweetest love for each other, having created a beautiful life together. They are loyal friends, always being there for others when friends need their support. For years, Marylou and Scott supported the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, he would ride and she would donate to support friends whose daughter lives with CF.



At this moment, at this time, they need our support. The idea of facing the near future seems insurmountable, especially as the medical expenses continue to add up. We want to make sure we find every and any single way to help them get through this very difficult time. Any funds raised will be used toward Marylou's care and any medical expenses incurred.

Please consider donating this holiday season to our sweet Marylou and Scott. 

Thank you, in advance, for your support.