Delynn's Emergency Cancer Fund

Last August I was diagnosed with endometrial (Uterine) cancer and I have been going through chemotherapy treatment for it since then with promising results so far. The thing that is weird is I have no uterus and the primary tumor of my cancer appears to have started from the endometriosis that was left over following my hysterectomy in my early 30's so it makes this cancer "likely to recur and difficult to treat". Surgery is not a good option for it due to the location and it's proximity to other structures.

Unfortunately we are lacking in statistics due to the rare nature of the cancer so it leaves me kind of up in the air, not ever knowing what may happen next.  It has been recommended that I seek a second opinion at one of the major cancer centers in the country--either in Houston or Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC.  After careful  research I have decided the doctor to see is one in New York who treated my childhoood friend who had the same type of cancer that I have a couple of years ago.

The chemotherapy has caused a type of neuropathy that damaged the nerves in my left leg leaving me in chronic pain and with severe weakness in the leg and a tendency to fall and not be able to get up by myself--which is painful and humiliating. Not as humiliating as having to ask my friends for financial help---but close. In fact this past Sunday, I was taking a walk here in Lake Oswego and stumbled on a railroad track that crosses the sidewalk, fell and couldn't get up. I dragged myself off of the tracks and kept waiting and hoping someone would come by. A family finally did after about 20 minutes and politely nodded and started to walk right past. It took everything I had to call out to them, "Can you please help me?" They did come and help me but it was like it never occurred to them to ask if I needed help. What is happening to us?? Or maybe I really have mastered the art of looking cool while lying sprawled on the sidewalk.........

In addition to the cancer, I was diagnosed last year with stage 3 chronic kidney disease. Last year I had surgery on one of my kidneys.  For the time being, I have a stent in the second kidney which will have to remain in place indefinitely. These have to be changed every few months in the hospital under anesthesia. Another  gift from the chemotherapy.

So why all the details about my medical problems right now? Or at all? Because, believe me, I get it that this is incredibly BORING.   Well, it's because I desperately need your help.

I have been receiving short term disability  benefits which I get through my work and living as frugally as possible until I could return to work. I knew I had 6 months of time off available but I was told by several people from the company that handles the disability policy that it was 6 months per year rather than per event. When my payments suddenly stopped I called and found that my disability had expired and that I had been misinformed; that it is paid on a "per event". basis so my 6 months are now up. I now have no income coming in until I can get back to work which is a rather lengthy process. I spoke to one of my docs about going back to work and he thought it wasn't a good idea and that, in fact, I should apply for Social Security Disibility, but I would like to at least try to work and see if I can do it.

The other componant of this that many people are not aware of is that I have taken on the care of my mom, Edie J. Many of you know her and have known her for years. She is 90 years old and she has been my rock through my cancer treatments. She moved to Oregon with me in January of 2016 because she really wanted one more adventure and wanted to get out of Utah. But at 90 years old, she needs quite a bit of help. She had a bad fall around Christmas and shattered her wrist, which required surgery and a 3 week stay in a rehab unit and then a lot of home health visits and help from a caregiver that I had to hire and pay for since I am not strong enough to help her as much as she needs. She has not bounced back very well and remains pretty dependent and needs a lot of help. So I have become financially depleted and have been living on the edge for quite a while anyway.

But to get hit with this short term disability cut off suddenly NOW when I thought I had a couple of more months is brutal. I am the one responsible for rent, utilities, and many of the other household expenses, not to mention the ongoing incidentals that are part of having cancer and other chronic illness that put you in the hospital from time to time.

So, I am asking you, my friends, if you can help me--even just a small donation would be great. I am trying to fill the gap between now and when I can start getting a paycheck again and to try to keep enough of a cushion that I don't end up bankrupt due to medical bills---which is a very distinct possibility.

And please, this is not directed at those of you, my incredibly generous friends who donated to the first GFM campaign that was launched by Marleen, Thom and Lynne.

I thank you for taking the time to read this, for being. there for me and supporting me emotionally and in so many other ways since my diagnosis. I feel so lucky to have the friends I have--visible and invisible. I appreciate you all for the unique gifts you bring and I'm glad to have you in my life.

Much love,
Delynn