'On A Hope And A Prayer': Joliet Woman In Battle Against 'Smart' & Rare Brain Cancer That Defies Treatment

JOLIET, IL — The husband of a Joliet woman in the throes of a battle with an aggressive and unpredictable brain cancer is turning to the community for help.

Just over a year ago, Todd Zabel's wife Rhiana went to the emergency room seeking relief for a migraine. What came next has upended their lives and left them struggling financially.

Rhiana was diagnosed in February 2025 with a glioblastoma unmethylated tumor in her brain—a type of tumor known for repairing damage done by treatment like chemotherapy, to then reoccur.

A protein within the tumor "can swoop in and repair that DNA damage to the tumor cells, undoing the work being done by the chemotherapy," according to the National Brain Tumor Society.

"This tumor requires us to always stay a step ahead of it," Todd Zabel wrote in a GoFundMe started for his family. "Since her diagnosis, Rhiana has been out of work, leaving the financial burden on her husband Todd. We are strong believers in the power of prayer, so even if you aren't able to donate, we ask for your prayers for a medical miracle."

The first, golf ball-sized tumor was removed, and Rhiana began undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, with regular MRIs to track the tumors and the treatment's impact—if any.

By August 2025, the tumors were back. She then began immunotherapy to help slow cell division on this particular cancer.

"This one was specifically developed for the brain," Rhiana said.

"It seemed to be shrinking until May 2026," she said. "They were cautiously optimistic. But this particular cancer is smart. And it’s super aggressive."

"Whatever we fight it with," Zabel said, "it finds a way around it."

An MRI in early June showed tumor growth, a devastating setback for the couple.

"The treatment only works for so long until the tumors find a way to grow," Zabel wrote in a GoFundMe.

Zabel refuses to lose hope for his wife and family.

"My wife, along with being unselfish and caring, is one of the strongest people this life has to offer," he wrote in the GoFundMe. "I believed from day one of this journey that she can live a long life, despite statistics. She has provided a great life for our family, which consists of our three adult children and 3-year-old grandson. She has always put everyone's needs before hers, and as her husband, I will not stop trying to do everything I can to prolong my wife's life."

'On hope and a prayer'

Lansing native Rhiana, 45, and Todd, 46, of Joliet, met while working together at the New Lenox Portillo's restaurant. Rhiana was Todd's manager, giving him a special glimpse of the compassion that ultimately drew him to her.

"It's her unselfishness," he said. "Whenever an employee was down on luck, she was always getting old clothes from our kids to give them or buying them a gift card. She was always taking care of her crew with her own money."

The two—who each had children of their own—started spending time together casually in a group before growing closer and dating.

Slowly, they combined families—Rhiana's son and daughter with Todd's son—and were wed in 2017. Now 25, 23, and 23, respectively, Rhiana's children and Todd's son have been essential in helping care for Rhiana when Zabel can't.

"The kids are here, they do what they can," Zabel said. An Amazon employee, Zabel said the company has been supportive.

"I have intermittent FMLA," he said. "I leave on my break, come here (to their home). I help her to the bathroom and make sure she takes her meds. Then I go back to work."

Still, he said, the situation has taken a toll financially, with Rhiana also out of work while she undergoes treatment.

Also employed by Amazon, Rhiana was able to utilize the company's offerings to complete her college degree and pursue a career in human resources.

"My degree took me 13 years," Rhiana said. "The intention was always to get into HR."

Zabel marveled at his wife's passion.

"Whatever she does, she thrives in," he said. "Left Portillo’s, went to Amazon. Got her degree, went into HR."



Her pluck has always inspired him.

"... That's what makes this so hard, because she's so strong and independent," Zabel said. "She's used to doing for others, and now she has to sit back and let others do for her, and that's hard for her. But even through some of our hardest times, we've found ways to have our best laughs."

Rhiana realizes the fight will be a relentless one.

"The issue is that the genetics that my tumor has, doesn’t respond to treatment very well," she said.

"There's no cure, have to keep treating it, keep it at bay. ... Until the inevitable.

"Right now, we're on a hope and a prayer."