Marty Lembo

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


Marty was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer which had spread to liver in March 2016.   We were introduced to two fabulous doctors and their teams and Dr. Dunne and Dr. Fleming got a plan in place. The tumors were too big to operate so he started chemotherapy which was very successful.  In December 2016 he asked if the tumors had shrunk enough to operate and they had!  A new procedure called ALPPS was being performed at Strong Hospital by Dr. Hernandez.  We were referred to him in early January and by the beginning of February Marty was scheduled for surgery.   On February 3 he had a 14 hour surgery to remove the colon tumor and Dr. Hernandez tied off blood supply to the cancerous side of the liver forcing the healthy side to regenerate.   A week later the cancerous side of the liver was removed.   Recovery was slow and difficult but by June we were starting to see improvements.  By the end of June he felt better and a CT scan was done.   We were so hopeful but it turned out that the cancer had had returned to the  liver and had moved on to the lungs.   Marty's body did not rebound well enough  after the surgery to restart chemo so several other tests were scheduled to determine next steps.   Throughout this time, Marty continued to live life to its fullest, golfing with Bryan and preparing for Meli's wedding in September.   The main goal was to get him to that wedding.   In September, surrounded by family and friends we celebrated Meli and Jared's wedding.  We rented a girls camp for four days.   It was a magical weekend, so many wonderful memories were made.   Watching Meli and Jared share their love, having Bryan and Toni be such an integral part of everything,   being with our family and friends and making new friends as well as becoming a family with the Shers was just perfect.   When we returned to Rochester, Marty had a procedure on his spleen and it was deemed possible to restart chemo.  Unfortunately his body was unable to sustain this second round of chemo and in January we made a 'quality vs. quantity' life decision and stopped treatment.   He felt great!  We went to the Perinton Rec and walked 30-40 minutes  daily. He continued to see friends, visit with family and enjoy life to its fullest.   


Unfortunately, these past few weeks have been difficult.   His body appears to be shutting down.   He continues to fight a valiant fight but his days are difficult at times.   I wanted to start this page so I can keep you updated as we go through this process.   The love and support we have been receiving through all of you is something I hope I never have to repay for these reasons, but know you are in my heart and I will be there for you whenever you need me, just as you are here for us.

With love and hope, 


Cyndi