Hi, and welcome! Thank you for stopping to read my campaign.
I’ve struggled a great deal with having to ask others for help but there comes a time when you just have to set aside your pride and do what’s right for your family. And right now I need a miracle!
About me: I’ve been happily married for nearly 30 years to a wonderful man who is not only my best friend, husband but now my caregiver despite himself being disabled. We have a son who is 24, autistic and nearly blind who despite his disabilities has grown into an amazing young adult. And currently I’m blessed to have my youngest brother staying with us and helping out when he can.
A little back story on what has brought me to this point. Earlier this year I was diagnosed with stage 3b esophageal stomach cancer that had already spread to three of my lymph nodes. I was told by my oncologist that I would have 6 months to 5 years to live if I started aggressive treatment right away. That was January and I was in denial. I had had only indigestion, no other signs of cancer period. I refused to believe it was cancer.
Fast forward to March and two oncologists and three lab reports later I had to concede to the fact I did actually have cancer. It was the day everything went downhill. I had my first immunotherapy on Friday the 10th and my surgery for a chemo port on Monday the 13th. Unfortunately I developed a severe allergic reaction to the port and had to have it removed on the 14th of April after demanding it be removed. My oncologist told me that if I didn’t get another port my treatment would be on hold indefinitely, no exceptions. With that I was left to figure it out for myself.
Thankfully my bff/boss Shari stepped in and helped me get started with a treatment plan, even paying for it herself for a couple of months.
The results were evident in my last CT scan on July 10th. The cancer had not spread!!! My lymph nodes were a bit larger but hearing it hadn’t spread was a miracle!!!
However the treatments are brutal, I’ve had nausea and vomiting for weeks, severe pain and weight loss making it nearly impossible to work. I was forced early on to give up my side jobs and was barely able to take on extra duties at my primary job.
Now we’re financially struggling to keep up and we’re to the point of losing everything we have, our utilities, vehicle, our bank account and credit. We’ve exhausted every single way to get help, churches and pantries. The government however says that we make $18 too much to qualify for assistance and the power company refuses to give us a waver for our terminal illness because we don’t need medical equipment that requires power, not thinking that we need air conditioning, hot water and other essential things to survive.
We’ve had an extraordinarily difficult year with many complications, frustrations and times when I’ve thought what’s the use?! But that’s when I look at my family and realize I can’t give up and I won’t. I’ve shared my experience on Twitter where I have been shown kindness, love support that I will forever be grateful for, believe me when I say it’s made a huge impact on my life for the better.
Bottom line is I need your help and a miracle to stay afloat and be able to afford my next treatment. This total includes the $1200 for the next round of treatment we need very soon.
So if you could please help with a donation, even just a small donation from everyone reading this will go a long way towards helping. I would really also appreciate your prayers, healing vibes and encouragement. And even if you aren’t able to donate you can still help by sharing this campaign on your social media platforms.
I will update everyone when I can. Sending lots of light, love and hugs to you all.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
~Ange