Greetings and Salutations!
My mum, Eloi, has always been the heart of our family. She has continued to hold us together even after my parents divorced. Her name means “my God,” and she truly lives up to it with her kindness, honesty, and generosity—she’s the type of person who would give you the shirt off her back. Though our relationship has had its challenges, we’ve lasted the test of time growing together and apart. She’s now my best friend. I am proud to be my mother’s daughter and cherish every moment we have together.
In May 2024, Eloi was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. She underwent surgery to remove part of her intestine and bravely faced chemotherapy treatment. Sadly, rare and severe reactions forced her to stop after only one round. We were hopeful, thankful, and lived life. Fast forward to February of this year and her six-month checkup. We thought everything would be hunky dory. Yet the imaging found multiple nodes in her right lung. A biopsy confirmed our worst fear, the cancer had mutated and metastasized. The devastating news came just a week before Mother’s Day.
Mom chose targeted chemotherapy for a month as her first course of action. We hoped she would tolerate them so she could then start IV Immunotherapy. Unfortunately, only three doses in, she began to develop side effects that affect less than 10% of cases—double vision, blisters on her head, and even hallucinations. At one point, she showed signs of facial paralysis and feared it was a stroke so rushed her to the ER. After a short hospital stay and discussions with doctors, it was advised she stop treatment, again. This changed her prognosis and doctors advised she may only have 3 to 5 months left with us.
Despite this, Mum remains adventurous and full of life. She dreams of taking a few final trips to see family and friends across the country—spreading her late brother’s ashes in northern Washington, visiting her son and grandkids in southern California, reconnecting with cousins in Oklahoma, and saying goodbye to chosen family in western Maryland.
We are also looking into integrative cancer centers for alternative forms of treatment to give Eloi every chance at comfort and quality of life. However, they are far from where we live and a bit more than we have at present. This is another way donations can truly be of help.
Mum also created a ‘Why the Hell Not?’ bucket list of crazy adventures she is open to experience:
– Seeing the Grand Canyon
– Sleeping in a treehouse
– Flying in a fighter jet
– Zip lining
– Rafting down the Colorado River
– Tandem base jumping
Eloi’s favorite pastimes are knitting, taking road trips, laughing till she pees, and enjoying the sun. She will always make room for steak, fried chicken, and/or tacos. Coffee, we can’t forget her coffee either. You’ll often catch her listening to Harry Potter or English murder mystery audiobooks or watching NCIS. Christmas is her most beloved holiday, and while we hope she’ll be here for it this year, I want to give her the gift of these experiences now.
We are both on limited incomes, and the costs of travel, accommodations, and daily needs add up quickly. Any support—whether it’s donations, hotel points, or gas points/cards—will help us make these memories together. We have discussed and planned multiple itineraries. Currently, a combination of train, plane, and rental car will be most conducive to our needs.
Most of all, I want Mum to get her flowers now. It is my wish to have her feel all the love and appreciation she deserves while she’s still here with us. No matter what happens, we will make whatever time we have left together magical.
Thank you so much for being here and supporting her journey. Whether you are a friend, family, or new connection (never a stranger), I am deeply thankful for you taking the time to read this, for sharing the link, and for donating. Sending a personal message, prayer, or card is wonderful too. Everything is truly appreciated.
Bye for now
Amenala and Eloi
