Nieset Family Cancer Battle

Who this will help

The Nieset family in White Lake, Michigan has been in the battle of their lives over the last 12 or so months. The patriarch of the family, Doug, has been in the battle of his life against Leiomyosarcoma since Oct. 2022. Doug is the sole breadwinner of his household that includes his wife of 17 years, Michele, as well as their three daughters. Michele has been the primary caregiver of their children that all have been dealing with various special needs that required many years worth of tailored treatments and financial strain as their care was often not covered by insurance.

Michele has been diligently attempting to re-enter the work force due to the unpredictable nature of cancer and need to help assist with the household funds and medical bills. As a licensed therapist, she has been exploring remote positions that utilize her background in the medical field but from a remote non direct clinical role. She has been seeking opportunities that offer a bit more flexibility, in the event she needs to tend to Doug or the children’s needs, while working out of the house. Thus far she has applied to 51 positions and hasn’t been able to secure an interview or position. This attempt to enter into a new career field is proving to be much harder then anticipated and adding to the stress the family is enduring.

Why I'm fundraising

As a family, we are very hard workers and it is so very hard to ask for help even though we know others are willing and able to help. It is just not something in our normal nature to do.

During the most recent scans, it seems that the cancer has reoccurred in the same region as well as a couple spots in the lungs, leaving us just devastated. We are in the process of developing the next course of treatment with our team at Michigan Medicine, but it provides much uncertainty in all aspects of family life, especially financially due to the potential loss of income with leave of absence, etc. that we can’t foresee. It also poses a problem in the continuing search for employment for Michele as she assumes caregiver responsibilities for her spouse as well as her children.

The impact of your support

The financial pressure surrounding the new year coming and the medical bills that will again be pilling up are weighing very heavily on Michele especially, as she so desperately wants to be able to carry all the roles on her shoulders so both Doug and the kids have less to worry about moving forward. We would be immensely grateful for anything small or big, whether on here, or mailed to us aside from this platform to help ease this stress, and of course any prayers are so greatly appreciated as well.