Regina vs. Cancer Round 2

Almost 5 years ago my mother-in-law, Regina, was diagnosed with Diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). She was treated over the summer of 2017 and initially the cancer went into remission.

 

The following summer, in June of 2018 my father-in-law, Fidel, passed away after several long months of struggle with different injuries and illnesses, leaving Regina widowed at the age of 59. In the years preceding Fidel's passing, he had suffered cognitive difficulties as a result of a stroke that ended his ability to work and left Regina as his primary care giver. Many less important things fell by the wayside as Regina sacrificed to care for Fidel and continue raising their children. In so many ways, Regina put herself last.

 

While she was surrounded by family throughout the time that Fidel was ill and following his passing, the lost of my father-in-law had a profound and long lasting impact on her both emotionally and financially. Through all of the chaos and turmoil, Regina still found time to be a supportive and loving mother and grandmother. She has always cared deeply about those around her and has always done what she could, even when she was hurting for time and resources.

 

 

 

Last fall her doctors found a second form of Lymphoma called Follicular Lymphoma (FL). FL is related to B-cell lymphoma and likely grew as a result of her first cancer diagnosis. At first the plan was to put off treatment until it became necessary and for about a year Regina was able to live with FL without it disrupting her daily life.

 

Recently we found out that not only is she living with FL but that the Diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma has come back and requires treatment. Regina has now gone through her first dose of chemo and will require at least two more. In the fight to beat the DLBCL a second time, Regina will also need a bone marrow transplant and thankfully we already have a match! The doctors can use her own bone marrow for the transplant but it will kill her immune system and she'll have to spend a month in the hospital. And while she goes through all of that, there is still a possibility that she will need a stem-cell transplant.

 

Regina has been blessed to still be in the same house that she and Fidel bought in the 90's to raise their children in, but it's in need of repairs. In the interest of creating a safe, updated space for my mother-in-law as she battles cancer we are asking for help to afford the repairs the house needs. We hope to complete the repairs while Regina is in the hospital for her bone marrow transplant around the first of the year.

 

Some of the things that need updating/replacing are:

 

Regina deserves so much more than these few repairs/replacements to her home but being able to do these few things would mean the world to her. Additionally some of the funds will be used to pay her bills during the time that she will be in the hospital. Thankfully her treatment is taken care of!!

 

If you would like to volunteer time or donate supplies, please reach out to us and let us know!

 

If you're in the giving mood and would like to donate to help Regina, please consider doing so. Thank you for reading her story and Happy Holidays!

If you're interested in learning more about Lymphoma click here