For the past six months, Christina Ferguson of Temple has been searching for an answer to the cause of her persistent and worsening back pain. Three weeks ago, she finally received her answer, but not the one she hoped for: Stage IV cancer.
“I knew it was more serious than sciatic pain, or being out of alignment, but I never expected this diagnosis, and it’s already so far along,” said Ferguson in an interview Wednesday.
Her pain is being caused by tumors in her spinal canal and bones, but tumors were also found in her lung, where her doctors believe the cancer started, and in her kidney, liver and a two-inch tumor in her brain.
On Wednesday, she had just returned home from a hospital stay after a surgery to remove her brain tumor, and had been recommended to take a course of chemotherapy which she is able to do at home to try to shrink the remaining tumors.
“I’m still in shock about everything and trying to process it,” said Ferguson. “I’ve just been trying to re-adjust to everything.”
Ferguson is a mother of two young children, ages 5 and 2, and said that both her town and church community have rallied to help assist her, both monetarily and through a volunteer chain to help with meals and keeping up the house. To help, a friend has set up a GoFundMe.com page to raise money for her and a spaghetti dinner fundraiser is scheduled for Tuesday at the Temple Town Hall.
“She’s just been really involved in the town, and trying to make a difference, and this just came out of left field,” said Amy Cabana, who organized the supper. “It’s about as tragic as can be.”
Cabana said she knows Ferguson through her volunteer work at the Temple Library, and various town events, and through her performance with the Temple Drama Club during it’s most recent season. She’s organized similar suppers before, she said, and so it was something she knew how to do that could help.
“I’m overwhelmed by that love and support,” said Ferguson. “It’s frustrating that my quality of life has dwindled a lot, in a very short time. We’re very thankful for the support.”
It’s been a lot to deal with, said Ferguson, as last fall, she was able to hike and garden and play normally with her kids. But since December, her back pain has limited her mobility.
“Just the smallest motions and I’d be out of breath or exhausted, and not understanding why,” she said. “I’ve never had this extreme pain before. I can’t lift my son, and getting in and out of the car was very difficult. Small movements that you wouldn’t even think of would hurt.”
In addition, she said, the last three weeks since the diagnosis have been packed with tests, scans, a hip biopsy and surgery, which have left her mostly on bed rest and using a wheelchair when she needs to, as well as dealing with the emotional impact.
“Trying to take it all in has been very hard,” said Ferguson.
She’s had to pull out of commitments like volunteering with the summer reading program at the library.
“I just don’t have the energy to do it, and it’s very disappointing. My joy is being around kids and wanting to teach. It’s hard being at the mercy of the weakness of my body and not being able to do what I want to do.”
But she is trying to keep a positive outlook, and is being assisted by both in-home nursing care and volunteers.
“I’m just trying to keep a strong spirit, because that’s the only way to fight it,” she said.
The spaghetti dinner will be held Tuesday at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Temple Town Hall. Entrance is by donation, with proceeds going to the Ferguson family. Those attending are asked to RSVP at the “Spaghetti Dinner to benefit the Ferguson Family” Facebook event page, located at www.facebook.com/events/202216390413018/.
Those that wish to donate to the Ferguson family can also do so at uk.gofundme.com/supporting-christina-amp-family.
St. Patrick Church in Milford is also organizing volunteers to assist with meals, keeping up with the house, and any additional needs. Reach out to the church office to be added to the list of volunteers.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.