Medical expenses for Lisa Carrell

Hi there - my name is Sha' - Lisa Carrell is my mother.

She received unexpected news this week - but let me rewind and tell you how we got here. I'll keep it short.

Earlier this year, my mother began experiencing health problems. She started having tremors, small at first - and eventually they got worse. She went to the doctor, and they started her on medications. The meds helped the tremors, but her health was still declining. She got to the point where she could barely walk, stand up, couldn't drive, etc. Because of this, she couldn't work. In April, she was let go and had to move in with us.

We finally got in with Neurology in August. At that appointment, she had lost nearly 30 pounds since her last appointment in June with her PCP. The neurologist ordered tons of bloodwork, neurological testing for the tremors, and imaging due to the many other symptoms and unexplained weight loss.

She went Monday Aug 28th for the first set of imaging - multiple CT scans. The scans revealed a mass in her colon "consistent with malignancy", multiple enlarged nodes through her chest / abdomen, and a few other incidental findings.

We are in a unique situation..

She doesn't have a confirmed diagnosis yet for Disability to be approved.

She's not old enough for Medicare.

We have applied for any and all the financial help out there, and we were denied for everything.

We would appreciate any help - financially to help go towards her medical expenses, or even if you have resources or contacts to help in these situations - we would deeply appreciate it.

We ask for continued prayers for my mother during this time.

Thank you, and God Bless

UPDATE 9/19

Lisa goes in for a colonoscopy tomorrow to get a better look at the mass and the rest of the colon.

*****9/20****

Lisa had a colonoscopy today.

Visual Findings confirm the CT results, "undoubtedly colon cancer" is what the doctor said. The mass is almost blocking the colon, so much that he couldn't get the scope through it. The doc did a biopsy of the mass today, and we should have those results back tomorrow. Doctor said the mass will completely obstruct the colon in a short amount of time, so her next step is to see the surgeon and most likely have that portion of the colon resected. Once biopsy results come back, he will decide where to go from there.

***9/25 update***

Biopsy results show adenocarcinoma. Lisa has been referred to a surgeon and oncology.

** 10/1 update ***

Lisa saw Oncology on Friday.

As of now, we know she's at stage 3.

There's a high possibility it's stage 4 due to other enlarged lymphnode findings on the CT, but can't confirm that until after the PET scan.

He said she still needs to proceed with surgery.

He recommends chemotherapy after surgery and after we get PET scan results.

We see the surgeon tomorrow 10/2. We will update after then.

** 10/3 update ***

Saw general surgery yesterday.

Lisa will have the Surgery tomorrow 10/4. He wants to do it sooner than later, as it's not emergent yet, but he didn't want to wait and it become emergent. Will update after surgery.

*** 10/4 update***

She just got out of surgery. Everything went as planned. He had a difficult time removing the mass, apparently it was "pretty stuck up in there". But everything went fine and she is in recovery now.

*****10/8****

Still in the hospital. No discharge date at this time. They do plan on sending her to a rehab when she discharges though. Feels better today but is still having trouble ambulating.

*******10/10******

Still in the hospital.

She had a better day yesterday, but is worse again today with Nausea and vomiting. Still very weak. Planning on in pt rehab at time of discharge.

No discharge date at this time.

******10/12******

Lisa was approved for in patient rehab.

If all goes as planned, she will transfer there today. Still very weak, can't hardly hold her phone. Once she's settled, she can have visitors. Please get with me for info on that.

****** 10/14 *****

We got the surgery biopsy back.

Mass size ended up being 6.8 x 4.5 x 1 cm.

The official type of cancer she has is called Mucinous Adenocarcinoma. From what I've gathered with my own research, this is a rare subtype of Adenocarcinoma.

21 lymphnodes were taken out with this section of colon. Those were biopsied, and 2 of the 21 are cancerous. So It has metastasized to the lymphnodes.

Her appendix was taken out with the section and was fine.

The Primary tumor (the colon mass) is a stage 3. Lymphnodes they're calling stage 1, because it has spread to more than 1 but less than 4.

Until we get the PET scan it's not known if this has metastasized anywhere else.

Margins of resection are free of tumor.

Lisa is in the rehab facility - please get with me for visitation info!