Hello,
My name is Forsythia MacTaggart and I am the eldest daughter of LeeAnn Marie Jones, who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer.
My mom is one of the strongest, most resilient people I have ever known in my entire life. She had me young, at only 14 years old - and she has worked hard every single day of her life, fighting to ensure the people in her life are loved, cared for and supported.
At the same time, she has proven time and time again to be an intelligent, strong, fierce and funny human being. Graduating from Coe College with a Bachelor’s Degree, working full time at a job she loves, caring for my father, myself, my three younger siblings and everyone else in her life - no matter how busy or stressed she might have been, she always makes time for those around her.
Just a little over two years ago, we lost my Grandma, my mom’s mom - also to Stage 4 Lung Cancer. This loss was heavy and painful, as any close familial loss always is. And now, we face the fight again. Gearing up and putting on our warpaint, we are determined to beat the odds!
Her diagnosis has been devastating, confusing and scary. The cancer has been found in her brain, throat, esophagus, breast, stomach and liver. She has lost use of her right eye, which may return with her radiation treatment - but it also may not. There is a tumor pressing on her esophagus making it difficult for her to breathe or swallow or talk. She is on oxygen for the foreseeable future and is limited to a liquid or purée diet until further notice.
And yet, despite everything she has faced - just in the course of a few short months throughout numerous doctor and ER visits; trying to get this diagnosis, to find the cause of her pain that began back in January - and all that has happened since then. Despite it all, my mother remains the most persistent, positive and strong-willed among us.
Everyday she wears a smile. Encouraging, inspiring and comforting those around her. When we brought her home from the hospital a week ago, she was using a walker with limited mobility. In just a few short days, she has regained strength and is now able to move around without the walker. She is determined not only to fight against this vicious cancer attacking her, but to beat it!!
Below, is a statement directly from my mom posted on her social media. I’d like to share it with you, so you can hear directly from her - her perspective and her internal thoughts regarding this war ahead of us.
“ I turned 41 this year. We bought my dream house, where I park my beautiful pre-owned (and paid off) red caddy. We have a home full of my good doggos, a happy hubby, kids or amazing friends for dinner, drinks, or a spontaneous smore party. I watch and participate in the lives of my kick-ass adult kids, who have become an excellent group of cool people, doing stuff and starting adventures that are exciting and fun. I have a job I love – working with genuine, intelligent, and interesting people. After all these years, it has all come together. Then, in the course of just a few months, I started falling apart. No one could tell me why until St. Patrick’s Day, “Stage 4, small cell, non-hormone receptive lung cancer that has – run amuck.”
It's surreal to hear it or say it, but here we are. I am not ready to walk away. Not when I’m finally where I’ve always wanted to be. I have decided that I am going to war, and I could not ask for a better team of people to gear-up and go with me! I am also not too proud to ask for help from the rest of the wide world out there. This is not going to be a short fight. It is going to take a lot of help for me and mine to keep life going. So, if you have a few $$ to spare – every bit will help. We also know that not everyone who wants to help can.
Please take a minute to share, repost, insta, snap, or put it on your face... I know that however these things work on the interwebs, you all know far more people than I do. It’s easy and intuitive to click the little hug, the little get red guy, or a quick thumbs up. But it’s the little share button that can bring us more attention, and we’re recruiting an army! Thank you for giving some of your scrolling time to read all this, for any $$ or assistance, and for helping us reach as many people as possible!
#Fightthismuck! “
I have also attached my family’s GoFundMe link right below and hope that by sharing our story we can get even more eyes and visibility on the page and my mom’s fight.
https://gofund.me/e0476492
I want to thank you for taking the time to read this, to hear my mom’s story and for any coverage or visibility you are able to provide. My family and I, can not thank you enough.
All the best,
Forsythia MacTaggart
(Picture of my mom and dad from Halloween ‘24 - they went as tourists 😂🥰)
