On March 31, our lives changed overnight.

After experiencing pain in her side for about a week, to which we chalked up as muscle pain, my mom, Jennifer (Jenn), visited her primary care physician. An ultrasound revealed that nearly half of her spleen had lost blood flow and was no longer functioning properly (this is called a thrombosis). We were sent to the emergency room, where we received the news no family is prepared to hear: Mom has cancer.

She was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, a common but aggressive form of lymphoma. Since then, she has undergone numerous scans, bloodwork every week, a biopsy, and a PET scan. Unfortunately, the cancer has progressed rapidly.

After careful discussions with her doctors and our family, we decided that MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston would provide the best opportunity for treatment. MD Anderson offers specialized therapies targeting lymphoma cells that are not available to us locally. Mom will be undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy every three weeks through October, with bloodwork and progress scans in-between.

Our third trip to Houston was far more difficult than we expected. When we arrived on May 27, her oncologist immediately admitted her to the hospital. Her kidneys were beginning to fail, fluid had built up around her lungs making it difficult to breathe, and she could barely walk. Doctors performed a thoracentesis and drained nearly a quart of fluid from around her lungs and she was put on multiple new medications to help with her kidneys. During that hospitalization, she received her first round of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Despite everything she is facing, Mom continues to fight with incredible strength.

For years, Mom has dedicated her career and life to helping others. She currently works for the United States Air Force, supporting people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Now she is facing one of the most difficult battles of her own.

My sibling, Dani, and I have become her primary caregivers. We help with medications, meals, laundry, bathing, transportation, and day-to-day care. While treatment helps, the effects of chemotherapy and steroids are challenging. Some days she feels stronger, while other days she is extremely fatigued and weak. At this point, she cannot make these trips alone. I travel with her to Houston for every appointment, helping coordinate her care, manage her schedule, and assist with mobility when walking becomes difficult.

The financial burden of treatment is substantial. Airfare from El Paso to Houston costs approximately $1,000 for two round-trip tickets, and we will need to make at least five more trips over the coming months. Each stay typically lasts three to five days. Lodging costs are often more than $120 per night, transportation expenses add up quickly, and food costs continue to rise. Although Mom has good health insurance, she is still responsible  for out-of-pocket medical expenses (some things are exempt, but we haven't had the time to sit down and figure it out).

We have explored assistance programs through the hospital and have applied for lodging support, but waitlists are long and there is no guarantee of immediate availability.

To help cover travel, lodging, food, transportation, and medical expenses during treatment, we are setting an initial fundraising goal of $15,000.

If you are able to donate, share this fundraiser, or simply keep Jenn in your thoughts, our family would be deeply grateful. Mom has several things she needs done around the house too. If you can't support monetarily, your services and time would be extremely helpful. Love to cook? We love to eat. Install base boards and have extra time? We need that done too. Every contribution helps reduce the financial burden and allows us to focus on what matters most: helping Mom receive the care she needs and supporting her through treatment.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.

Summer, Dani & Family