WEST ST. PAUL — An eastern Minnesota woman who lost her husband to Lou Gehrig’s disease earlier this month is facing another hurdle.

Tessie Sylvester, 36, of West St. Paul has been diagnosed with cancer. She received the details about the severity of the cancer the same day her husband,  John Sylvester, 44, died.

Though they knew it was cancer before he died, Tessie Sylvester said they didn’t have the full diagnosis. Doctors said the cancer has spread to her liver and lymph nodes which eliminates the option of surgery.

Sylvester is expected to begin chemotherapy today.

A fundraising campaign on the site GoFundMe has been created to help the family cover medical bills. As of Monday more than $170,000 has been raised.