Thirty-Five
Cancer?! Riley’s mom has cancer?
Ben’s stomach swirled with nausea. “Fuck no.” Brows peaked, his eyes dropped to the vendor’s cart. Still a dozen or so people ahead of her, Riley talked with a mom cradling a sleepy baby against her chest. With a heavy heart, he clicked on the link and read slowly and carefully.
My friends, Maggie and Riley Hope, are facing the most difficult challenge of their lives, and they need our help. Less than 6 months ago, Riley’s mom, Maggie, was diagnosed with cancer for the third time in 5 years. Maggie is only 48.
Oh, sweet girl. Oh, Riles… Ben’s lips pushed out in a reflective pout. I can’t believe…how…? He read on.
In 2012, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Maggie underwent invasive surgery and multiple cycles of chemotherapy and radiation, putting cancer in its place. She enjoyed 4 happy and healthy years until the fall of 2016 when the cancer returned. This time, it was ovarian cancer. Another surgery followed along with more chemotherapy, and once again, Maggie showed cancer who was boss, but the all-clear only lasted a few short months.
Not satisfied with taking Maggie on twice, cancer came back for a third time 6 months ago in November 2017 as a recurrence of ovarian cancer—Stage 3. But in the months since then, it has progressed to metastasized ovarian cancer, Stage 4 involving the liver.
Cancer—of the liver? Stage 4…oh no! Ben chased his breath. Can people survive that?
A cheeky laugh caught his attention. Riley was sharing a joke with the ice cream vendor, their hilarity echoing across the playground. She glanced back up at him, sticking out her tongue.
Um…wave at her! Pretend everything’s normal. He raised his hand and gave her a smile until she turned away. Read faster. I don’t think I was supposed to get this.
Maggie is currently undergoing more chemo to shrink the cancer and hopefully halt its progress. Right now, no other organs are affected, and Maggie continues to lead a vibrant and active life, but she needs our help. Her health insurance doesn’t cover most of her costs and due to her multiple bouts with cancer, she’s been unable to work for almost 2 years. In the past 6 years, bills for scans, surgeries, insurance premiums, chemo and radiation treatments, pain medications, blood transfusions, ER visits, and transportation costs have continued to mount. She recently had to sell her car and most of her belongings in order to keep her apartment at a time when she needs comfort and compassion the most.
A single mother to Riley, a senior in college, Maggie wants nothing more than to spend more time with her daughter, walking shelter dogs, baking, and reading.
I have created this crowdfunding page to help Maggie achieve ‘third time lucky’ and beat cancer, once and for all. No donation is too small, and each one is greatly appreciated. Please help Maggie’s fight with a donation or by sharing this message with your friends and family. Thank you.
Ben felt a wave of regret and sadness wash over him. His thoughts flashed back to just a few hours earlier, and their walk up Seventh Avenue. Were you trying to tell me? Fuck! You must feel so scared, lonely…that lost look in your eyes, talk of escaping—it all makes sense now.
He spied the crowdfunding donation list. A goal of $15,000 was set with only $840 raised so far—$20 each from Piper and Casey, $200 from a Mrs. Paisley—Piper’s mom?—plus $100 from Leia and $500 from Erika. That total probably wouldn’t pay for a ride in an ambulance.
Looking up, he saw Riley skipping along the pavement, ice creams held high. What do I say? Ben swallowed heavily and tucked his phone away.