Those of you who know Mrs. Teresa (my Nonna) know she's the back bone of our family. She's strong and given up most of her life to take care of everyone she can and help raise all of her grandchildren. In early October, she went to a doctors apt for back pain which led to an emergency room stay and finding out she has multiple myeloma (a blood cancer that weakens the bones). This was devastating to all of us. She knew right away she wasn't ready to give up the fight. After having major spine surgery to correct her two fractured vertebrae, we knew we needed to start treatments right away. Multiple Myeloma causes the body to create too many M proteins which then cause the body to attack the bones. The bones will begin to have lesions that can turn into fractures which is what happened to her two bottom vertebrae in her spine. This bone pain causes a lot of discomfort. Without treatment, slowly her bones will keep having more fractures. Being 70, her body is weaker and more fragile. Traditional cancer treatments would make her feel sick, cause permanent nerve damage in her finger tips and was said to be something she'd have to continue for the remainder of her life to continue to fight off these bad proteins in her blood. We found an amazing Integrative cancer center in New Jersey that could get her in immediately. Not only would she feel great by doing these treatment but it will boost her immune system to fight off these cancer cells. Having similar experience with a family member who took a non traditional route in his cancer treatments and is now in remission, we know we are making the right choice! Unfortunately, these treatments are not covered by Medicare and are not cheap. Three months of these treatments cost $21,000 and it will not stop there. This is a lifetime of change and commitment to heal her body and fight this cancer. Money should never stop someone from receiving the best care. After one round of treatments today she has her color back and is feeling more herself. My Nonna told us she is not ready to give up this fight and not ready to leave our side. Any donation matters to us to help her along this fight no one should ever have through. Especially a woman like her. We want her to keep dancing away at life. And not live in constant pain and fear of what's to come. She wants to LIVE healthy!