Thank you for your prayers, love and well wishes as Calli continues to persevere in her health challenges.

Now let’s dive into her story…

Calli’s Healing Journey: A Story of Grit, Grace, and Miracles

💜 The Beginning

In late November 2022, just days before Thanksgiving, Calli went to the ER with her son thinking he might have appendicitis. He actually had a virus, but while there, Calli was seen for abdominal pain and sent straight to the oncology floor at Seton Hospital. She was diagnosed with Stage 4C colon cancer, complicated by pneumonia, kidney injury, and severe malnutrition. It was life or death from the start.

She was 39 years old, a devoted mother to twin boys, with a great job and suddenly everything changed and she was fighting for her life. From the very first moment, her mother Sandy dropped everything to be by her side.

🌟 The Light She Brings

If you ask anyone, they’ll tell you: Calli is a big kid at heart who was always meant to be a mother. She is the light in every room always making jokes, being silly, and lifting the energy of those around her.

We truly believe her strength in this fight is powered by that joyful spirit, her faith, her fierce love for her boys, her unshakable positivity, and her beautiful personality. There are harsh realities we are facing, but we also know: miracles happen and sometimes, a smile can change everything.

🙏 The First Miracle

Thanks to an incredible team of doctors, major surgery, and 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy, Calli defied the odds. In July, only 8 months after her terminal diagnosis, she shared a joyful update: “There are no signs of disease.”

Calli returned to chasing her wild boys at the park, embracing gratitude, and soaking up the blessings of each day. Though she knew recurrence was likely, the remission felt like a miracle, but those feelings didn’t last long. 0n August 23, 2023, Calli had her second major surgery at which time they reversed the colostomy and performed the HIPEC, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Healed from surgery, Thanksgiving 2023 was a celebration, a far cry from the year before, and filled with intentional time, food, family, and deep thanks to God for the healing she’d experienced.

💔 A Difficult Winter

But cancer doesn’t always stay gone. In March 2024 her tumor markers began to rise so it was time for Round 2 of chemotherapy. Then in December 2024, she underwent her third cytoreductive surgery, paired again with HIPEC, a heated internal chemotherapy.

She spent 9 days without food or drink, recovering slowly, smiling at nurses, and longing to be home in time for Christmas with her boys. Her bothers stepped in to help with William and Parker, and as always, Sandy never left her side.

This chapter unfolded amidst a season of deep personal change Calli was also navigating a divorce and stepping into life as a newly single mother. Her strength through it all is nothing short of remarkable.

🏃‍♀️ The Marathon

Calli’s oncologist calls this a marathon and that couldn’t be more true. Since that surgery, she’s endured ongoing oral chemo, a broken collarbone on her 42nd birthday cruise, the loss of her father in May 2025, and most recently, news that tumors are growing again. The oral chemo was ineffective, and she is now in her third round of aggressive IV chemotherapy.

Even in all this, there is light: a girls’ trip to Alabama, a big family reunion in June, and summer days filled with her loving, energetic sons. She is facing this next season with faith, laughter, and an unshakable bond with the people who love her.

🧡 A Mother’s Love

Throughout it all, Sandy, Calli’s mom, has never left her side. From round one to round three, Sandy has been her advocate, nurse, cheerleader, and prayer warrior. Her updates often posted on behalf of Calli remind us that this is a village effort. A mother holding her daughter up through a relentless, exhausting, and invaluable fight.

👣 Where We Are Now

Calli is entering yet another grueling phase of treatment. She is also adjusting to life as a single mother to two incredible boys doing it all with bravery, grace, and gratitude.

This is not just a story about cancer. It’s about resilience, faith, motherhood, and the power of community.

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…”
— Hebrews 12:2

🙌 How You Can Help

Your support whether through prayers, messages, or donations makes a real difference in Calli’s ability to focus on healing and on her boys.

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