When Cancer Strikes

When cancer strikes it’s devastating to not only the patient but also to family and friends. When the doctors say all clear after treatment, joy and relief take over. But when you hear the news that the cancer has returned, it’s heartbreaking. This is a true story about my younger sister Nancy and one of her life long friends Judy.

Nancy and Judy met when they were 5 or 6 years old, they are now in their early 60’s. Over 55 years they stayed close even though they were states apart. Nancy and Judy grew up in a small, upstate rural town of Charlton NY. The played together, laughed and cried together, and went all through school together. Nancy and Judy were more like sisters and still are. After graduation Judy continued to live in New York state while Nancy moved to South Carolina. Fast forward to a few years ago and Nancy moved to Maine. But Nancy and Judy we’re still best of friends no matter how far apart they were.

Cancer Strikes

Unfortunately Judy was diagnosed with cancer but she had a great positive attitude and wasn’t going to let cancer get the best of her. She stayed strong and after treatment she received the news that her cancer was gone! But the happiness of being cancer free was short lived. A few months later Judy thought she had a hernia, only to find out it was a new inoperable tumor in her abdomen.

Judy’s Cancer

Judy was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer early 2018, had whipple surgery in the spring then chemo from summer through January 2019. There was no evidence of cancer in March but the mass came in April. She went back to the hospital and had a billial drain inserted to drain the bile from her body as the tumor is pressing on the tube that normally does the draining. This has to be emptied multiple times a day and rebandaged every two-three days.

Nancy drove to New York to be with Judy and found the prognosis was grim for her in NY. This is when Nancy grabbed the bull by the horns and took over. (You have to see my sister when she takes charge!) Nancy loaded Judy in her vehicle and took her back to Maine with her. She was hoping Judy could be seen by a better oncology team and give her better news to restore her hope for the future.

Update from Nancy

I wanted to update everyone on Judy’s status. This past Saturday I brought her back to Maine with me because essentially all of her NY doctors were dropping the ball and had given up on her. She is now here in Maine and has been admitted to Maine General Medical Center in Augusta. The folks there are amazing – they’re getting her enrolled in MaineCare (Maine’s version of Medicaid), setting her up with a primary care physician and also with an oncologist. This team has met with her and have told her that they are NOT giving up on her.

Judy has home health care started already in Main! Her first visit will be Monday -yay!! My sister is hoping they can set her up for daily visits as soon as MaineCare gets approved. An Oncologist appointment is scheduled for Tuesday and primary care is Friday.

It took Nancy less than a week to get Judy the help she needed to fight this ugly disease. Judy was in the hospital a few days but released and is now staying with my sister while waiting for the next step with her amazing team at Maine General. Even when things are down, Judy has a beautiful smile and wave for everyone!

Cards for Judy

Now here’s my plea, since Judy is alone without family while in Maine, I thought it would be great if some of my readers could send her a card to keep her spirits up. If you have little ones, maybe they could draw a picture since she is away from seeing her grandchildren! Judy also loves adult coloring books, something to pass the time away when stuck in bed all day. It’s a small thing to make a person feel better. I’d love to have Judy’s mailbox flooded with love and encouragement! Thank you so much if you can send Judy some cheer! This is my sister’s address: Judy c/o Nancy Henion
555 Riverside Drive, Augusta, ME 04330

We’ve all read the heartbreaking stories on Facebook about people and wonder if they are true. Well this is one that I know is true and both Judy and Nancy are fighters and positive loving people! Please keep Judy in your thoughts and sent positive vibes, prayers and well wishes so we can hear the news that she beat cancer again.