Medical Fundraiser for Debra Vining Mike

My name is Jill Hodge, and I am starting this fundraiser on behalf of my fantastic friend and fighter, Debra Vining Mike. Many of you know her current and past battles with cancer, but I want to share just a bit of her story if you don't. Debra and I have been friends for over 32 years. She is adored by Colby, Jada, Landry, and the community.

Debra’s battle started at 13 when psoriasis began on her scalp. Many others also deal with this skin condition and lead healthy lives with little intervention, but that was not Debra’s path. By the age of 21, it had covered her entire body. There were very few treatments, but she went to Oschner’s in New Orleans and began UV light treatment. When that proved unsuccessful, she went to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. From there, she went to Baylor Psoriasis Clinic.

Fast Forward to 2015 - Debra was diagnosed with Smoldering Multiple Myeloma, a slow-growing type of multiple myeloma, a form of cancer in which abnormal plasma cells (purple) make too much of a single type of antibody. She is currently treated for that with back and forth appointments to UAMS Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, specializing in that type of cancer.

Several weeks ago, Debra went to the doctor to have what she thought would be a routine lymph node surgery but instead turned into another cancer battle which was not expected. She was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma, which has invaded the lymph nodes in her legs and stomach. Thankfully, she got an appointment at MD Anderson, and they put together a good but challenging plan forward that included treatments and extensive surgery.

Debra began her chemo journey a couple of weeks ago, and her body was not able to handle the treatment, so she was placed in the ER. However, her doctors at MD Anderson were able to give her another treatment plan which she begins soon. There is much caution also in how these treatments will affect her psoriasis and MM cancer, but they must move forward.

Debra’s faith in God and love of family and friends have kept her going and are what push her through each day. She is prepared for the fight of her life to be able to watch her grandson Landry grow up.

I want to help take some of the financial burdens off of Debra so that she can focus on the primary fight. Debra has already incurred many bills due to out-of-network pathology tests in Monroe and Houston, a high deductible, and expenses to and from Arkansas and Houston. She would never ask for help, but I know my friend, and I hear the stress in her heart.

If you can help, my dear friend, please donate. Any amount is a blessing, and I know she will be forever grateful. Other choices are to send a check or money to her directly in the mail. Please get in touch with me for the address. You may also donate to her by using her Venmo account @Debra-Mike or Marion State Bank under the Debra Mike Medical Fund. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Finally, if you don’t have the means to donate, please say a prayer for her. Add her to your church prayer list, and pray for her family. She is enduring the fight of her life.