Support Samantha's Battle with a Brain Tumor

My name is Laurie Cook, and I've been Samantha Berge's lifelong friend since we were five years old. At this point, I consider myself part of her family. Samantha is a single mother of two beautiful grown daughters, Jessica and Stephanie. Life hasn't always been easy for them, but she's consistently made the best of it.

For the past 30 years, Samantha has worked passionately as a dog groomer. For the last six years, she's been employed at "Wendy's Wild Styles" in Clinton Township. However, her life took a sudden turn in December 2024 when her daughter rushed her to the emergency room due to severe mental confusion.

After running tests, the doctors confirmed a tumor in the left frontal lobe of her brain. Samantha spent 10 days in the hospital with no clear treatment plan. Her daughter then transferred her to Henry Ford Detroit, where she received prompt and exceptional care.

Within two days, Samantha's condition improved significantly with steroid treatment, which reduced fluid buildup. The medical team performed a bone biopsy of her skull, as the tumor was attached to it, and developed a treatment plan. They arranged for surgery and allowed her to return home to spend time with her children and settle her affairs.

In early January, the biopsy results came back inconclusive, but this didn't change the treatment plan. After an anxious 16 days, Samantha underwent brain surgery on January 16, 2025. We met with the surgeon and his team beforehand to discuss the procedure. Five hours later, the surgeon informed me that the surgery was successful.

The medical team removed part of Samantha's skull and replaced it with a plate, removed the tumor from the brain lining (dura), but chose not to delve deeper into the brain, leaving a small portion of the tumor intact. Although we still await a definitive diagnosis, the doctor suspects Lymphoma. Samantha will require chemotherapy and/or radiation to treat the remaining tumor.

As of now, we don't have the official diagnosis or a detailed treatment plan, but we know Samantha will need to continue taking time off work. After exploring all options for assistance, we're turning to friends and family for support.

Life is challenging enough without a medical emergency. Imagine having your entire income suddenly halted. Samantha lives a modest life, without luxuries. She's always made the best of her situation.

I'm asking for your help to ease Samantha's financial burdens. Any assistance would go towards food, rent, car payments, or her cell phone bill and would be greatly appreciated. Your contribution will help her focus on her recovery rather than worrying about bills.

Samantha eagerly awaits her return to work. If you can offer financial support, that's wonderful. However, any gesture, whether a homemade dinner, a short visit, or a prayer for her speedy recovery, would mean the world to her.