JoAnn’s Story

Site created on January 27, 2020

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. 
As most of you know,  mom has been at Abbot Northwestern, in Minneapolis for going on a month now. It all started when she just didn't feel right at work and then thought she may have come down with a cold. During a visit to her Dr. She was immediately admitted to the ER because they discovered she had been bleeding internally and her Hemoglobin was at a 4. The safe and normal is a out a 15 to 16...so she was clearly sick. It was there that they si noticed a strange lump in her heart. In a lot of pain and bleeding out but not knowing from where the doctors quickly had her transported to Abbot Northwestern for a better look at her heart and to find the bleeding.  Long story short it took two weeks of painful tests, biopsies, and surgeries to get us to where we are today. 


1. The found tumors in her stomach ( the bleeding).*They have been removed and tested positive for cancer.  Has helped with the bleeding.
2. They found two spots one on each lungs.  *Being treated with chemotherapy.  
3. They found 4 tumors in her heart. * Been diagnosed with a rare form of heart disease- carcinoma. Is currently receiving chemo therapy to try and kill the cancer. 
5. Because of chemotherapy and the tumors her heart is weak and occasionally her heart rate drops dangerously low. * She is being kept longer so they can be sure it's safe for her to come home and continue her chemotherapy in New Ulm...closer to us all. 
I am spending a few days with her now and will keep updating as I get the information.  SHE and my entire family thank you so much for all your support and prayers. We love you all...xoxo

Newest Update

Journal entry by Justin Rios

Oh happy day...Mom gets to FINALLY come home. But, we found out that she needs too specialized care for New Ulm...she will have to do her Chemotherapy Treatment at Mayo in Rochester. So we have a log road ahead of us and lots of trips back and forth.  So with that, today we are choosing JOY and we are excited and joyful that we get her home again. Be blessed. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
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