Help Michelle Fight Cancer
Donation protected
Hi everyone!
When my mom, Michelle was diagnosed of Glioblastoma Multiforme in March of 2020. It has been a roller coaster of highs and lows. Surgery was not an option at first because of where the brain tumor is located. They started her with chemotherapy and radiation for 6 months. September of 2020, my mom had a brain scan due to her passing out, headaches and changes in her vision. The imaging showed a change in the size of the tumor which is pinching a nerve. Now, they have to change the plan of action for her treatment aggressively to get it under control. She started another round of chemotherapy that was every week. My mom was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. March 2021, my mom had a brain surgery via EEA because it was less damaging. Unfortunately, the surgeon was not able to take all the tumor out. I remember her first brain surgery recovery was not easy. She was in so much pain and it did not help that my mom also has an RA where her joints get swollen. In spite of all the pain she goes through, she still continues to provide meals to the Loudoun County Homeless Shelter at least once a month and sometimes twice a month for 50-70 people. As a family, we started doing this when Covid shut down everything up until this day. My mom wanted to help my dad financially to pay for her medical bills. So she used her talent of cooking and introduced Filipino foods to our community since everything was closed due to Covid in 2020. We are blessed and grateful that people enjoyed her food. The sales she would get helped pay her medical bills and other medical needs. Cooking has been her getaway from all her aches and pains. My mom is a rockstar in fighting this disease! It’s amazing to see her fighting spirit and how strong her faith is. Almost a year later, she had another brain surgery and the surgeon was able to remove 80% of her tumor. Her faith never doubted God’s timing. With God, there’s always an appointed time for things, and when you put Him first, trust in His timing, and keep the faith, miracles happen! After few weeks of recovering and was sick with Covid was a big set back with my mom’s prognosis. The last few months of 2022 my mom was in and out of the hospital from having surgery, fighting an infection to some bleeding of the brain but she fought hard and got through it. February 7th, 2023 the day before her birthday. We received a sad news after confirming all the tests they did that my mom has CML(chronic myeloid leukemia). Hearing those words was so painful. My heart was hurting for my mom. It was overwhelming to process. Then the same day, she tested positive again for covid! With her new diagnosis, everything stopped so they can reevaluate her treatment options. Since my mom had Covid, treatments had to wait after 10 days. Then she started a very aggressive treatment plan to not only control the growth of her brain tumor but also to treat her CLM! After three months, she had another brain scan and the tumor has not changed in size. When she had her last surgery last year, we were aware that the remaining portions of the tumor reside next to her brain stem and within the frontal cortex. Given the location of the tumors, doctors recommended Proton Therapy in addition to her getting chemotherapy now to mitigate the risk of radiation necrosis (damage) to surrounding, vital tissue. However, insurance denied the treatment. She has done 16 sessions of proton therapy so far and she has 7 more. Each session is $3000. We have appealed and exhausted all efforts known to us but time is no longer on our side. Not only we have to worry about her treatments but the driving back and forth to Hopkins has also taken a toll on our family. With this aggressive treatment of chemotherapy and proton therapy my mom has so much pain that attacks her joints but you’ll never hear her complain. She still gives the biggest smile and hugs. My family has never been ones to ask for donations; however, with all of her treatments, copays and travel expenses, the costs have become overwhelming. Their insurance company has denied their claims several times and, while the hospital is continuing to fight for them to get approved, time is of the essence. Everyone that knows my mom can speak to her fighting spirit, loving nature and dedication to her loved ones. She has never let her diagnosis stop her from achieving her goals and being a leader in her community. She is an amazing mother to me, wife, daughter, coach and friend to everyone she meets. If you are able to help her in any capacity, it would mean the world to our family. Every penny counts. I pray and hope that my mom will still be around when I graduate. I know that may sound selfish, specially most patients that has been diagnosed with GLM doesn’t make it after 8 to 12 months. And to all our prayer warriors, we serve a God of miracles! Please continue to pray for her healing, wisdom and healing hands from the doctors, understanding from the insurance company, and relief from the financial stress that this has placed on my mom and our family. We are so thankful for everyone that has walked with her throughout this journey as she continues to fight.
When my mom, Michelle was diagnosed of Glioblastoma Multiforme in March of 2020. It has been a roller coaster of highs and lows. Surgery was not an option at first because of where the brain tumor is located. They started her with chemotherapy and radiation for 6 months. September of 2020, my mom had a brain scan due to her passing out, headaches and changes in her vision. The imaging showed a change in the size of the tumor which is pinching a nerve. Now, they have to change the plan of action for her treatment aggressively to get it under control. She started another round of chemotherapy that was every week. My mom was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. March 2021, my mom had a brain surgery via EEA because it was less damaging. Unfortunately, the surgeon was not able to take all the tumor out. I remember her first brain surgery recovery was not easy. She was in so much pain and it did not help that my mom also has an RA where her joints get swollen. In spite of all the pain she goes through, she still continues to provide meals to the Loudoun County Homeless Shelter at least once a month and sometimes twice a month for 50-70 people. As a family, we started doing this when Covid shut down everything up until this day. My mom wanted to help my dad financially to pay for her medical bills. So she used her talent of cooking and introduced Filipino foods to our community since everything was closed due to Covid in 2020. We are blessed and grateful that people enjoyed her food. The sales she would get helped pay her medical bills and other medical needs. Cooking has been her getaway from all her aches and pains. My mom is a rockstar in fighting this disease! It’s amazing to see her fighting spirit and how strong her faith is. Almost a year later, she had another brain surgery and the surgeon was able to remove 80% of her tumor. Her faith never doubted God’s timing. With God, there’s always an appointed time for things, and when you put Him first, trust in His timing, and keep the faith, miracles happen! After few weeks of recovering and was sick with Covid was a big set back with my mom’s prognosis. The last few months of 2022 my mom was in and out of the hospital from having surgery, fighting an infection to some bleeding of the brain but she fought hard and got through it. February 7th, 2023 the day before her birthday. We received a sad news after confirming all the tests they did that my mom has CML(chronic myeloid leukemia). Hearing those words was so painful. My heart was hurting for my mom. It was overwhelming to process. Then the same day, she tested positive again for covid! With her new diagnosis, everything stopped so they can reevaluate her treatment options. Since my mom had Covid, treatments had to wait after 10 days. Then she started a very aggressive treatment plan to not only control the growth of her brain tumor but also to treat her CLM! After three months, she had another brain scan and the tumor has not changed in size. When she had her last surgery last year, we were aware that the remaining portions of the tumor reside next to her brain stem and within the frontal cortex. Given the location of the tumors, doctors recommended Proton Therapy in addition to her getting chemotherapy now to mitigate the risk of radiation necrosis (damage) to surrounding, vital tissue. However, insurance denied the treatment. She has done 16 sessions of proton therapy so far and she has 7 more. Each session is $3000. We have appealed and exhausted all efforts known to us but time is no longer on our side. Not only we have to worry about her treatments but the driving back and forth to Hopkins has also taken a toll on our family. With this aggressive treatment of chemotherapy and proton therapy my mom has so much pain that attacks her joints but you’ll never hear her complain. She still gives the biggest smile and hugs. My family has never been ones to ask for donations; however, with all of her treatments, copays and travel expenses, the costs have become overwhelming. Their insurance company has denied their claims several times and, while the hospital is continuing to fight for them to get approved, time is of the essence. Everyone that knows my mom can speak to her fighting spirit, loving nature and dedication to her loved ones. She has never let her diagnosis stop her from achieving her goals and being a leader in her community. She is an amazing mother to me, wife, daughter, coach and friend to everyone she meets. If you are able to help her in any capacity, it would mean the world to our family. Every penny counts. I pray and hope that my mom will still be around when I graduate. I know that may sound selfish, specially most patients that has been diagnosed with GLM doesn’t make it after 8 to 12 months. And to all our prayer warriors, we serve a God of miracles! Please continue to pray for her healing, wisdom and healing hands from the doctors, understanding from the insurance company, and relief from the financial stress that this has placed on my mom and our family. We are so thankful for everyone that has walked with her throughout this journey as she continues to fight.
Organizer and beneficiary
Olivia LeBlanc
Organizer
Ashburn, VA
Michelle Leblanc
Beneficiary