For those of you that know Mari she is one dedicated, loving, selfless, and strong woman. She’s also a loving wife to Scott (40 years of marriage is quickly approaching), mother of three, grandmother of 7, friend to many, and has played an important role in her clients lives during her time at EPIC. 

This site is for you, her support team of family, coworkers, clients and friends, so I can keep all of you up to date as my beautiful mother goes through the toughest fight of all...Cancer.

This post will be lengthy as I try to lay everything out in order. 

Starting in late December Mari started not feeling well with what she says was sinus & respiratory issues. After a couple visits she was diagnosed with pleurisy (X-ray done) in late December. On her third visit (2/11/2021) the nurse at Allina (Katrina R.N.) advised mom to go to the emergency department due to her high heart rate and pain on the left side of her upper body.

Mom had a CT Scan done (her third in a year due to a car accident & injuries a year ago). It was this CT Scan that showed a mass in her Left Upper Lung which measured 4 inches. The mass is completely wrapped around one of her arteries and was putting pressure on the other artery. This pressure was the cause of moms extreme pain she had been experiencing on the left side of her body.

After dad had time with mom she was sent to Abbott where she received a MRI scan of her brain (mom says yes there’s a brain in there) due to some fuzziness in the scan she had while at District One. The next day mom had a bone scan done. Both of these scans showed no cancer or issues in her bones or brain. 

Mom then had a biopsy done of the mass where we found our exactly what kind of cancer she has which is small cell squamous cancer of the lungs. Due to the kind of cancer mom has and where it is surgery is not an option.

On Valentines Day mom started her first round of Chemo while at Abbott which left her very tired. She finished her first treatment on the 16th and returned home. The plan at this point was for her to receive chemo & radiation.

On the 17th we gathered around to celebrate dad turning 60. While I know he didn’t feel like it was a big deal or not wanting to celebrate there was no way I was going to just let the big 6-0 slip on by without some extra love, support, hugs, or razzing. Since moms return home she’s been busy with different appointments in town & out of town. Mom & dad had decided to receive chemo at the cancer center in Faribault and radiation in Northfield. Everything was pretty much set...

On 2/23 dad brought mom to Mankato where she received a PET Scan to see if there was cancer anywhere else in her body (from her eyes to thighs). On 2/24 mom received the results...She has cancer in 2 Lymph Nodes. One in her left arm pit and the other is near her liver. Due to this radiation is being put on pause. Chemo will still be an option, and she will have an appointment coming up on Tuesday (3/2) at the cancer center to discuss her new treatment path. Mom will get her port put in on Thursday (3/4). As of right now her next round of Chemo will start the following week.

Mom & dad enjoyed a nice weekend away ice fishing where mom pulled in all of the walleyes! 

On behalf of my mother, father, and siblings I would like to say thank you to those who have been there for all of us during this time. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, dishes you’ve made for mom & dad, calls & text messages. 

Mom is a stubborn fighter...she has quite the road ahead of her but with everyone’s love & support it won’t be a road traveled alone. This is our time to care for someone who has cared & looked after others so selflessly!

Until next time...

Carrie