Monica Gallardo - Brain Cancer

A message from Monica:

I have Glioblastoma (stage 4 Brain Cancer).  I was initially diagnosed with stage 3  in 2015 (you can read the story below) but it has progressed to stage 4.
We have worked hard to stay positive through the trying times but sometimes it’s a bit much for me.
Right now is one of those times. We received a letter two days ago stating that my Medical Coverage would be terminated as of October 1, 2018.  We were told we would need to pay $942.00 in order to continue with benefits.  We assumed it was $942.00 yearly but as we found out today, it would be monthly.  This is not something we can do.    We are looking for any donations/options/ suggestions  and prayer as we have been struggling financially since I got sick.  We are constantly worrying if I can afford to see a doctor and have care.  Right now we are just asking for a bit of a break so I’m not constantly so stressed about being able to see my Dr., get my mris every 6 weeks, ... to Live..

For those that know me personally you know I’ve never been one to ask for help in anything .  I like helping those I can in the ways I can (even if my help has been small).  
I’ve always been pretty self sufficient and those who know me know how hard is has been for me to ask for help but the truth is I still want to live so I have to continue to ask for help.


Thank you,
Monica



2015:

Last week I had an MRI.  I believed it would confirm my thoughts that my horrible migraines were just migraines.  I had it late in the day and expected to get a letter in the mail in a week or two to confirm that all was good.

The next day (my husband’s birthday) I received an urgent call from my doctor’s office early in the morning while I was at work.  I was told the doctor had my results and needed to see me “right now.”  My heart sank.  I called my husband so he could meet me at the doctor’s office but I arrived before him and was almost immediately brought in.  The doctor looked at me with such sadness and explained that I have a large mass in my brain. 

Time seemed to stop and I felt I was in a dream.

He said I needed surgery as soon as possible.

Then there was a knock on the exam room door.  A nurse notified us that my husband, who had been frantically trying to get through traffic, had just arrived.  The doctor looked at me and I nodded.  I couldn’t speak.  My husband sat down.  The doctor asked if he could explain to him what I had just been told.  I nodded again; I had no words.

I watched as both our hearts broke.  A million hopes and dreams for our future suddenly paused.  We had just celebrated our 4th Wedding Anniversary a few days before – there was so much to look forward to.  But now it seemed like it was all different.

We were immediately scheduled with a neurosurgeon.  We walked out of this doctor’s office and immediately went to see the neurosurgeon.  He explained I have a large cyst and tumor in my brain that requires removal.  I was then told I would have surgery in a few days.

I don’t have much more information to share because we don’t know yet.  My surgery is on Thursday.  Most of the time I am calm and collected but it’s not easy and I’m not always strong about not showing my tears.

I AM SCARED.

I know and have faith that everything will be okay.  I’m going through this for some higher reason.



My faith is strong. 

Monica

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 
Victor and Monica are living paycheck-to-paycheck.  They have no savings and are taking extended leave from work.  Their income will decline significantly in the months ahead.

Monica was placed on medical disability the day she was diagnosed.  Victor has taken leave from work to care for her.  Although Monica does have medical insurance, it is yet unknown what it will cover.  They must be prepared for extended post-surgical recovery. 

Typically, out of pocket expenses for this type of surgery and hospitalization can be extraordinarily high.

This is already a very stressful and difficult time for both Monica and Victor.  They are facing challenges and uncertainty that they never imagined they would be facing.

With medical expenses piling up and now a limited income, they will be struggling to make ends meet.

We’d like to alleviate some of that stress and hope you will as well.

They are asking for prayers and well wishes.  And we’re sure you can help with that. 

But we are asking you to help relieve the financial stress this has placed on them.

 

With Gratitude,

 Mauricio & Leti Torre