This page was created to support my Aunt Liz Roglou who is fighting cancer for the third time. The Story:
This is my beautiful Aunt Liz.
We named this page Love Tokens because Liz needs 'tokens of love' from her friends, family & community! Growing up, she was the epitome of beauty, grace, and kindness for me. When you look at someone's life through the eyes of a child, it is a much more hopeful view. In my mind, she had a perfect life: a great family, a stylish job (yes, hair was and is glamorous in my opinion), and of course she
IS and always has been flawlessly gorgeous! That description was not even close to the story of her life; although, I truly wish it was. From childhood to marriage she endured a lot--but what I admire most is that she didn't give up and she didn't complain or act like a victim. I mention this part because life is hard enough and we as humans tend to make it even more complicated. In 2005, Aunt Liz was diagnosed with breast cancer. She opted for surgery, went through treatment and was in remission for years. In 2012, doctors discovered a tumor on her sternum; not wanting to put her body through the same treatment, she adhered to a strict whole foods diet, exercise, and changed her living habits. The following summer she was able to go to Block Center near Chicago, Illinois; a medical center that combines chemo with alternative medicine treatments. Every 2 weeks, Aunt Liz and my Uncle Dino drove out to Illinois. During this time her tumor shrunk by 50% and she continued to receive a vitamin C drip and immunotherapy. Eventually, she gained her strength back and as able to return to work for a while. Now, here we are, third times the charm (except there is nothing charming about this disease or the toll it takes on your body). Her most recent scans showed that she has stage IV (metastatic) cancer. This stage means that the cancer has spread to other organs or parts of the body, in her case the lungs. Some days are better than others. Some days she is unable to eat or keep food down and sometimes she has trouble breathing, due to the hardening of her lungs. Through all of this, God has given her immense strength and even when you or I question why this is happening, she does not falter in the power of her belief! If you have read this far, I just want to thank you for taking the time to stop, read my words, and consider helping my family. My Nonna used to always repeat the words, "This too shall pass" to me, my friends, and family members whenever we were struggling. Please help me fight to make this a reality for my Aunt. Why I chose "Compassionate Crowdfunding" and my 3 main goals:
Help my Aunt and Uncle raise money for any unexpected living expenses (she is not able to work currently)
Help cover any therapies not covered by insurance
Ultimately a month-long treatment at the Gerson Institute. A non-profit center dedicated to providing education and training in the Gerson Therapy, an alternative, non-toxic treatment for cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases
01/04/2018
I wanted to share these words from Liz’s nephew, Ryan:
I’ve been wondering what moment of Liz would surface in my memory as the defining one and it’s so simple I didn’t know how to share it- When I returned from living in Baltimore and was enjoying my first week back with no job to go to, I was walking around The Commons; Crossing the street, I heard someone calling me and stopped in the middle looking around.For a moment I felt on edge, being used to homeless people in Baltimore shouting after me. I saw Liz waving and realized I better get out of traffic she was standing with Denny, her boss. She welcomed me back and said I should stop by for a haircut sometime. Her spirit was inviting, enthusiastic & understanding; Gentle and curious. So when I remember her I’ll think of that simple moment of greeting expressing her presence and imagine that Dino will hear her calling, and see her raise her hand to catch his attention someday in the future.
12/25/2017
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Elizabeth Roglou's Obituary on Ithaca Journal
Read the Obituary and view the Guest Book, leave condolences or send flowers. | Elizabeth Roglou Freeville - Elizabeth "Liz" Roglou was a sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was born in Brooklyn to the late Vincenzo and Concetta Rizzuti and raised with a tribe
12/25/2017
Liz’s obituary will be in the Christmas Day paper if you would like a hard copy. It will be printed in the Ithaca Journal and The Hour (in Norwalk, CT) 💟
12/21/2017
Our hearts are aching today for the loss of ELizabeth Rizzuti Roglou it’s hard to accept. It’s truly amazing to see how many lives she touched.
Thank you for your support and all of your love! All of the funds raised will now go towards memorial expenses and making sure her family is taken care of. Please continue to pray for us and if you are able to give so that my uncle is able to take time to grieve, I would be so so grateful. Gifts can be given via the link below.
A service will be held at Reach Out for Christ and I will post more details as they are decided. Please contact me here or by phone 607-339-7526 for any questions! We will need lots of help with food as well ❤️
Love you all for loving my aunt!
paypal.me/lizroglou
12/18/2017
This week has been a tough one.
Aunt Liz did receive her first chemo treatment last week and we noticed a reduction in the amount of swelling in her lymph nodes.
We are concerned she may have had a GI infection before treatment, she has been very weak and dehydrated so today we decided to take her to the hospital to get fluids and pain meds.
Her doctor at Sloan is aware and advised she stay overnight so this week she will not be doing chemo. Please pray for her strength and no infection!
Watching the side effects from traditional treatment shows me more and more that she really does need to get to Mexico. If you have other ideas on how to raise more funds, please message me here or on my personal page.
Thank you all for your support,
Alexis
12/16/2017
Treatment update: Aunt Liz received her first chemo treatment with the new drug this week. She will be doing treatment two weeks on and one week off at Sloan.
Please pray that her ulcer will not return and that her nausea is not overwhelming. Also for safe travel and lots of extra energy for Uncle Dino!
01/04/2018
12/21/2017
12/18/2017