PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
Alicia Wiegman hopes to fight her cancer with the love of her 4-month-old son, her husband, David, and kisses from her dog Amos.
BY MICHELE DURGIN
LYNN — Alicia Wiegman got some bad news from her doctor earlier this year when she was diagnosed with advanced cancer.
The married 26-year-old mother of a four-month-old boy is facing Stage 2 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It’s a form of the disease that is found in two or more lymph nodes on the diaphragm.
“It is very overwhelming and I am learning to take it one day at a time,” she said. “I want my focus to be on my baby and I can’t let cancer interfere with my son’s life.”
Wiegman’s doctors have told her that she needs six rounds of chemotherapy, which began last week. As a result, she’s feeling better than she did after the first treatment.
“I felt like a truck had hit me a couple of days ago, but I feel a little better each day,” she said.
Her doctor said there’s a 90 percent cure rate with her form of cancer.
“The doctors have said that age is on my side,” she said. “I have so many people supporting me and that makes me feel so loved and happy. There are a lot of people saying prayers, and I am hopeful.”
Unfortunately, Wiegman is unable to work while she undergoes chemotherapy, and this has created a financial challenge for her young family. Generous friends and family are preparing what they hope will be both a successful and fun event to help Wiegman raise money.
An afternoon celebration has been scheduled for Saturday, May 28 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, 50 Grove St., in Salem.
There will be a disc jockey and dancing, lots of food, a variety of raffles and face painting for kids.
The committee is asking for a donation of $10 for adults and children over 12. A GoFundMe account has also been set up to raise money for Wiegman. For more information, go to gofundme.com/v4wnpxcs.