In April of last year, Mob Wives cast member Angela “Big Ang” Raiola was diagnosed with throat cancer.
The popular reality star – who’s raspy voice has become one of her trademarks – underwent a surgery that was described as a “complete success” and quickly returned to making public appearances. Unfortunately, it now looks as though she was far from out of the woods at that time.
Radar Online is reporting that Big Ang’s cancer has returned, and this time, the 55-year-old’s diagnosis is much worse.
According to the site, Raiola is now suffering from stage four cancer, and chemotherapy doesn’t appear to be helping.
“It’s serious,” says one insider. “She isn’t doing well right now.”
Ang’s sister, Janice Detore, has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for Raiola’s treatment.
The family is close to reaching its $ 25,000 goal, but Detore’s description of her sister’s condition is far from encouraging:
“As you know my sister was diagnosed with stage 4 brain and lung cancer,” she writes.
“Chemotherapy was started January 5 th. On January 26th the doctor reviewed her CT scan and informed us that the treatment was not working, and in fact one tumor grew larger and the other tumors had no change.”
Detore adds that Raiola’s “breathing is labored and the amount of pain she is having is by far more than she can handle.”
As traditional treatments seem to be doing little to relieve Ang’s pain, Detore plans to use the donated funds to purchase cannabis oil and other alternative medicines.
“Angela cannot function to work anymore,” Detore writes. “I’m not sure that it will work but I’m praying.”
Ang has thanked fans for their support in a brief social media message, but her family says it may be several months before she’s able to resume her public appearance schedule.