Help for Cancer Treatment
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In May of 2015, I was diagnosed with double breast tumors and uterine cancer. The biopsy verified that it was malignant. There was also a lymph node near the left breast that was affected. Even though I had insurance, not everything was covered and it was at that time that the debts started to accumulate.
Chemotherapy treatments began in late July. After the first chemo, I came down with C. Difficile, a contagious infection that is potentially life threatening if not treated in a timely manner. I was hospitalized and placed in quarantine for a full week as a result. One of the symptoms of C. Difficile was swelling in my legs, and so I had to take very expensive medications for it for a month.
Chemotherapy treatments resumed in about 4 to 5 weeks after my hospital stay. Debts continued to accumulate from the various treatments. With the chemotherapy treatments came the various common side effects such as nausea, hair loss, fatigue and weakness.
From that time till end of Dec the mammograms showed that the tumors had shrunk so much. The right side they could not see and the left side was down to .5. Simply put, the chemo had done a great job. My last chemo treatment was on September 15 2016.
On Jan 7 2016, I had breast reduction and had the affected lymph node removed. Although it was an out-patient procedure, I was kept in the hospital overnight due to complications from the anesthesia. I had the hysterectomy done on March 14 2016 and was hospitalized for a day after that surgery.
I had radiation treatments done every weekday for seven weeks for the breast cancer and radiation treatments for the uterine cancer one day a week for three weeks.
In January of 2018 my mammogram indicated that all was well. However, my bloodwork showed elevated tumor markers. So a CT scan and bone scan were ordered. Later in March, the doctor ordered an MRI, which showed two bulging discs, arthritis and a cancerous lesion on the spine.
I was referred to a neurosurgeon and he suggested either a biopsy or surgery to get a sample to see where the cancer is coming from; the breast cancer or the uterine cancer that traveled through the blood and settled in the spine. Chose Surgery and had it scheduled for May. Only 80% of this very expensive procedure will be covered.
Between the debts already accumulated and the additional debts expected to be accumulated for upcoming procedures, a serious financial burden will be the result. I have already been struggling to pay off what has already accumulated and that has been difficult enough. I have had to use credit cards far more than I would have wanted but my desire is to get treatment and stay alive. Had I not sought treament, I would not be alive today.
As a result of this financial burden, I have also fallen behind on other bills and expenses. My family has been helpful to some degree and for that I am grateful. However, because of the extent of the debt that has accumulated, there is a limit to the assistance they are able to provide.
I have always prided myself on being a hard-working taxpaying citizen who has done her best to pay her bills on time. It pains me to have to ask for help but, at this point, the financial burden has gotten to where it will be difficult for me to overcome if I do not receive additional help.
To be honest, there have been times when I have thought of giving up. The pain from the cancer and the side effects of the various treatments as well as the pain from the two bulging discs on my spine has brought about a lot of physical discomfort. But my desire to persist through it all is driven by my desire to see my grandchildren grow up as well as my great grandson. I want them to have their “Mama”, as they refer to me, for as long as possible.
I would be most appreciative of any contribution made, big or small, that would help me to alleviate some of my debt. Thank you for reading my story.
Chemotherapy treatments began in late July. After the first chemo, I came down with C. Difficile, a contagious infection that is potentially life threatening if not treated in a timely manner. I was hospitalized and placed in quarantine for a full week as a result. One of the symptoms of C. Difficile was swelling in my legs, and so I had to take very expensive medications for it for a month.
Chemotherapy treatments resumed in about 4 to 5 weeks after my hospital stay. Debts continued to accumulate from the various treatments. With the chemotherapy treatments came the various common side effects such as nausea, hair loss, fatigue and weakness.
From that time till end of Dec the mammograms showed that the tumors had shrunk so much. The right side they could not see and the left side was down to .5. Simply put, the chemo had done a great job. My last chemo treatment was on September 15 2016.
On Jan 7 2016, I had breast reduction and had the affected lymph node removed. Although it was an out-patient procedure, I was kept in the hospital overnight due to complications from the anesthesia. I had the hysterectomy done on March 14 2016 and was hospitalized for a day after that surgery.
I had radiation treatments done every weekday for seven weeks for the breast cancer and radiation treatments for the uterine cancer one day a week for three weeks.
In January of 2018 my mammogram indicated that all was well. However, my bloodwork showed elevated tumor markers. So a CT scan and bone scan were ordered. Later in March, the doctor ordered an MRI, which showed two bulging discs, arthritis and a cancerous lesion on the spine.
I was referred to a neurosurgeon and he suggested either a biopsy or surgery to get a sample to see where the cancer is coming from; the breast cancer or the uterine cancer that traveled through the blood and settled in the spine. Chose Surgery and had it scheduled for May. Only 80% of this very expensive procedure will be covered.
Between the debts already accumulated and the additional debts expected to be accumulated for upcoming procedures, a serious financial burden will be the result. I have already been struggling to pay off what has already accumulated and that has been difficult enough. I have had to use credit cards far more than I would have wanted but my desire is to get treatment and stay alive. Had I not sought treament, I would not be alive today.
As a result of this financial burden, I have also fallen behind on other bills and expenses. My family has been helpful to some degree and for that I am grateful. However, because of the extent of the debt that has accumulated, there is a limit to the assistance they are able to provide.
I have always prided myself on being a hard-working taxpaying citizen who has done her best to pay her bills on time. It pains me to have to ask for help but, at this point, the financial burden has gotten to where it will be difficult for me to overcome if I do not receive additional help.
To be honest, there have been times when I have thought of giving up. The pain from the cancer and the side effects of the various treatments as well as the pain from the two bulging discs on my spine has brought about a lot of physical discomfort. But my desire to persist through it all is driven by my desire to see my grandchildren grow up as well as my great grandson. I want them to have their “Mama”, as they refer to me, for as long as possible.
I would be most appreciative of any contribution made, big or small, that would help me to alleviate some of my debt. Thank you for reading my story.
Organiser
Judy Bosket Crepeau
Organiser
Newton, NJ
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