Rita’s Story

Site created on November 30, 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.


On November 15th, I woke up at 2am with chest pains. Later that day, I went to Urgent Care where they performed an Xray in which they seen a mass on my left lung. After a trip to the ER and a CT Scan, I was told I have a 6.7 cm mass. The pulmonologist performed a biopsy on November 19th and determined that it is small cell stage 4 lung cancer.

On November 24th, I met with Dr. Nourkeyhani at Avera Oncology in Sioux Falls. We discussed my diagnosis. He set up a PET-scan and an MRI of my brain to be done on November 30th to help determine our best plan for treatment.  Surgery is not an option due to the mass being attached to my heart. Please pray for me as I could sure use a few prayers right now. Josh and his brother built a Covid room for me at my home so please feel free to visit. Love you all.






Newest Update

February 10, 2021

Journal entry by Rita Schlotman —

This has been a big week. Finished radiation on my chest area on Monday. Today, finished my last round of chemo. Recovering from chemo is not fun. Mostly sleep. Seems to go on forever.  Hopefully both of them have done their job!

On March 2nd, I will get another CT scan and MRI. At this time, PCI will be scheduled. This is a radiation that they do on the brain as a preventative measure.  

Beast, go away. You aren't welcome here!!
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