'A Mother's Love Can Never Die': Livingston Mom And Millburn Native Fights Stage 4 Cancer

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Livingston mom Melissa Miller is writing birthday cards for her two young daughters for 20 years in the future because she's been diagnosed with a rapidly spreading cancer.

[UPDATE: Melissa Miller passed away on Oct. 26. Services will be held Sunday. Find out more here.]

Miller, a 38-year-old graduate of Millburn High School, was diagnosed with uterine sarcoma about two months ago, said her cousins this week.

Now Miller — who lives with husband Ian and daughters aged 2 and 6 — "is writing [her daughters'] birthday cards 20 years in advance and preparing her girls' graduation and wedding presents," said cousin Stan Burakovsky.

Burakovsky and another cousin of Miller (whose maiden name is Leibzon) started a GoFundMe a week ago for Miller's family.

"A few months ago, there was nothing [apparently] wrong with Melissa," Burakovsky told Patch on Monday. "Like most of us, her biggest worries included getting her girls to school on time and getting to work. But that all rapidly changed."

Miller had surgery for a bleeding fibroid, a common problem among women. However, her fibroid contained cancer, and there was spillage during the surgery, Burakovsky said.

"In 2 short months, that cancer grew and spread from non-existent to full blown stage 4 and is progressing rapidly," Burakovsky said.

"She has stayed so strong or as strong anyone in her position can be. For the last few months, every treatment that was to give her hope, failed. So the emotional roller coaster of hope and dismay has been extreme. She turned to faith and primarily thinks about her husband’s and daughters’ future."

'A Mother's Love ... Will Never Die'

He added that despite Miller's preparing for her girls' future, "She continues to fight. She knows that a mother’s love cannot be replaced and will never die, but she is hoping for the best and preparing for the worst."

He added, "We, her cousins, are so thankful for how amazing everyone has been to Melissa so far. Not just financially, but physically and emotionally as well. From delivering meals, to helping with car pools, to the emotional and spiritual support, the list is endless. The charitable acts we have witnessed truly warm the heart and are inspiring."

The fundraiser had already drawn $232,167 in contributions as of Tuesday afternoon, from 971 people.

"Two months ago Melissa, a 38 year old healthy fun loving mother of two, was unexpectedly diagnosed with a uterine sarcoma," explains the GoFundMe page. "In this short time, irrespective of her determination and her will to live, the cancer has spread from potentially non-existent to the point of stage 4 and she has been given a 10 percent chance of survival. Unthinkable!"

It continues, "Her husband Ian and Melissa had to leave their typical day jobs to fight this cancer. Melissa and Ian have two daughters ... who have been fighting alongside. As bills pile up we are reaching out to our friends to financially assist in this horrifying process."

Uterine Sarcoma

The National Cancer Institute says, "Uterine sarcoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the muscles of the uterus or other tissues that support the uterus. Past treatment with radiation therapy to the pelvis can increase the risk of uterine sarcoma. Signs of uterine sarcoma include abnormal bleeding."

Yale Medicine says that the 5-year survival rate is more than 66 percent if the cancer is caught early and hasn't spread, but if it spreads, the rate drops to 34 percent or less.

"Uterine sarcoma is a rare cancer," notes the school, "affecting only about 5,000 people in the United States each year. Uterine sarcoma is commonly diagnosed in women who are in their 40s through their 60s."

Black women are more likely to have the cancer.

Other symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, and a growing mass, which could be a fibroid.

"We also want to thank all the past and future contributors to Melissa’s GoFundMe," Burakovsky said this week. "In times of tragedy, everybody says, 'Money isn't everything,' but ... we fully recognize that attaining money requires hard work and sacrifice. Therefore we want to acknowledge all the selfless contributions people have made to help Melissa, Ian, Mia and Ava. Your generosity is beyond admirable and makes us thankful to have you as part of our family, friends, and community."

See the GoFundMe here.