“Help Lisa fight the battle”

Lisa would like to thank you all for your continued support in this tough battle against lupus. Lisa is still struggling each day but the generosity from all of you gives Lisa hope. It is however, with sadness that Lisa's treatments have now changed due to chemotherapy further weakening her already impaired immune system from this awful killing disease, "lupus". This resulted in a life threatening sepsis blood infection that put Lisa in ICU for over a week. It was this life altercation and other declining health issues, that doctors involved in Lisa's care have said "no more" and come to realize that with continued chemothearpy treaments, Lisa will continue to eventullay decline at a quicker rate, causing more harm then good to her body, making Lisa completely susceptible to other infections that have already once threatened her life. This now changes alot more in Lisa's life then we had expected. What this means now is that, chemotherapy is no longer an option; which was Lisa's hope to slow down the progession of Lupus nephritis (stage 4) which eventually will go to end stage renal failure if not treated aggressively enough like chemotherapy. This then would require dialysis and eventually a kidney transplant. With the possibility of Lupus attacking the kidney transplant and the process starts for Lisa all over again. I know in my heart a process in which Lisa could not bare anymore. This brings Lisa to where we are now, as a result of this, Lisa will not be able to work as her disease has already started to decline making it very difficult for Lisa to do alot of things that she so much loves to do, most importantly not being able to spend true quality time with her family and friends. It seems all they get to see is the ugly no matter how hard Lisa tries to hide it. This disease is robbing not only Lisa's family but her gentle, kind, caring spirit as well, and that is not Lisa. In the meantime, Lisa has applied for long term disability in which she has been advised could take anywhere from 4-6 months to obtain. Lisa as stated in her original story does not qualify for short term sick leave from EI at the moment, as she does not meet the requirements of 600 hours needed in order to obtain a new claim. Due to a previois claim from a complication of Lupus that resulted in finger amputation. So once again Lisa is faced with yet another unessasay challenge. Lisa had previously worked two part time jobs to make up for full time, until recently in her story had to cut one of them because the Lupus made it too difficult on her body and therefore the hours she did try to work still did not qualify Lisa to meet the requirements to accumulate a health benefit package or to reapply for sick benefits to help Lisa in her time of need. This unfortunate circumstance now brings Lisa here asking others for help. Those who know Lisa will know that just by asking for finacial help alone is killing her not to mention the humiliation it has brought upon her, as Lisa believes there should be other options available to anyone that might have to be faced with this or going through such a terrifying and scary ordeal, let along have to worry about financial hardship and medical expenses. It is humiliating enough to know that people such as Lisa have to endure such unnecessary hardships. Regardless of Lisa's illness and the humiliation she feels, the reality of it is, Lisa will still require financial help in paying her living expenses and current medications to keep Lisa somewhat comfortable until her disabilty hopefully gets approved. Again that process can take anywhere from 4-6 months and finaces wait for no one. WE have also exhausted all of our resources when it comes to social assistance as they do not even give anywhere near what they think is the cost of living now a days to survive especially when you have a child. Another thing Lisa would like to look into. So again Lisa is faced with yet another unessasay challenge and struggle. As stated, financial burden and hardships of Lisa's illness still require help until Lisa can hopefully obtain proper help from the government. This still puts a lot of stress on Lisa as she has a 12 year old daughter that also deserves better. Lisa says she is blessed however and tries to find the positive in all of this because she has amazing support from her mother beyond belief and her friends, but unfortunately Lisa's mother works as a baker at foodland grocery store that barley pays for her to get by. All that Lisa's mom has and makes goes without question to Lisa's needs. Unremarkable! Selfishness! So with your continued support we are hoping that we can eleviate some of this financial burden that otherwise would cause a great deal of stress on Lisa's body and therefore cause a really bad Lupus flare up that she might not make it out of this time. Lisa's poor body has had enough and there is only so much fight one individual can endure on their own and believe me Lisa has done just that. The money would continue to go for things like Lisa's financial needs to include all necessary living costs, the medication required to keep her comfortable at home as nothing has changed for Lisa's situation or illness since she has been home. Lisa still continues to experience all the same symptoms just now more intensified. Medications to treat Lisa's constant nausea and vomiting, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, intense pain medication, blood pressure medication even though Lisa has changed her diet completely to a much more healthy approached then even before but again healthier eating requires a huge increase in grocery bills and Lisa is again forced to choose between her health and financial needs. Another system Lisa would like to see fixed and is on her list. Theraputic services to help with Lisa's deep excruciating muscle pain, help with care giver relief and counsellors needed for all Lisa's family members closely involved that need help and unfortunately require it now. Another system that Lisa has put on her list that needs fixing. There is still so many to list and Lisa would be more then happy to share with you just ask. The goal in continuing to collect these funds is in hopes to elevate some of Lisa's financial burdens until the government hopefully steps in and provides her with the proper care. In the meantime why should this caring, loving person who would and has not thought twice about helping someone in need have to struggle when we all can help. Let's make this about helping someone's "quality" of life and not "quanity" pain and suffering have no business in life. Life is meant to be lived "happy" no matter what a person's situation. All I ask is that we help eleviate some of this pain that's all. Although Lisa is still hopeful that there will be a cure for Lupus one day, Lisa's struggles are still very real and she may not make it to see that day. This is where is isn't just about one person anymore, Lisa would like This fund to go world wide so that when it has served it's purpose in helping Lisa, it doesn't stop there. It is Lisa's greatest wish and hope that this tragic illness of Lupus not be the end but rather a start to something even bigger "hope" for all that struggle. To create an on going fund in assisting others in need so they may focus on the living side to what ever extent they may have instead of spending it on the negative aspect of the situation with things like finacial burden and letting the disease win because lack of hope. Lisa's experience has showed that there has to be a better way . This fund is only the beginning. So Lisa's has asked once again that you share your stories , share her page, reach out to her family and friends with ideas on ways for to get the word out about real life finacial struggles while being sick and to help make this fund world wide, available for all who need help. Please remember what Lisa said it's not always about monetary help but sometimes the best help of all is "kindness" Again, thank you all for your continued support and please help make a difference. You never know when this this could become you. THE STORY Lisa Noss has been battling the war against Lupus for many years now. Up until now, Lisa has had a good run of managing her disease even through the many hardships that it brings. Some to include; amputation of digits, in and out of hospitals for three months at a time, surgery, bone marrow and spinal tests and kidney biposy to name a few. Not to mention all the trips to the specialists and other hospitals like the University of Toronto Lupus clinic and Mount Sinai. Sick Children’s Hospital when she was younger. Recently Lisa has been diagnosed with stage 4 Lupus Nephritis and is one of the most serious manifestations of systemic lupus eryematous (SLE). Lisa reqires aggresive treatment now which involves Chemotherapy. The goal for Lisa in doing this type of treatment is to hopefully slow down the progression of the disease to end stage renal failure. From there Lisa would require dialysis and evetually need a kidney transplant. Lisa was able to manage some of her medication throughout the years because she had worked two part time jobs that made up for full time hours and compensated for not having a health plan. Since Lisa has been recently been diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis she has now had to cut one of her part time jobs complety, as it became very hard on her body. With that came financial burden and further hardship. Lisa is not able to afford all of her medication, so she has to pick and choose which ones she needs the most in order to just get by, even though all medication she takes now are eqally important to her health. Lisa would not have been able to even get this type of treatment had it not of been for physician to have her approved for a clinical trial because the cost is just to great. Lisa has still tried to work her one part time job throughout treatment because she needs the medication which is very expensive to help her coupe with the side effects of chemotherapy such as; vomiting, nausea, headaches and poor appetite. Though Lisa’s admiration and bravery and her will to continue not to give up, it's unfortunate that her body is. This is making it more difficult for Lisa to work and the increase in sick’s days from work have greatly impacted her financial status. Lisa now does not pay for any medications during chemotherapy that can help allieveate some of her symptoms because the cost is to much and she has other financial priorities that take place first like food, rent, bills and raising a 12 year old daughter. Lisa has tried many private and work health benefits for part time, all in which have very high premium rates and some just denied. Lisa has also tried other means of government plans such as Trillium Drug benefit plan but this has a very high deductible and has to be paid in quartly and some of the medication she needs the most they won’t even cover. Lisa is giving it all she has got but the chemo treatments are wearing her out and she has had to call in sick more so now. This creates a huge financial stress on Lisa. Lisa can not apply for sick leave from enemployment because she had recently used up all her benefits from a previous complication of lupus that required her finger to be amputated. Therefore Lisa was told she would have to make up another 600 hours before she could apply for sick leave again. Lisa is then forced to work even though physicians and her own body have advised against it. However Lisa states that ”the bills won’t pay them self’s and my 12 year old needs a mom that can look after her“ Lisa barely gets through her shifts now as it is, doing whatever means necessary to just get by the day. No one going through chemotherapy or any kind of an illness should have to go through this without some kind of relief. Lisa has continued to show her bravery and courage through out her difficult time and still has not given up. Lisa should be able to recieve the medication she needs and should not have to suffer as should anyone else going through such diffucilt times. Lisa loves life and her family, that is truly why I believe she is still with us today. Her will and determination not to give up but go on no matter what comes her way is just truly inspirational. Lisa is a very caring and giving person herself. she is always looking to help who ever she can and she is truly genuie when doing so. Lisa is a very proud person and those who know her would also know that it takes a lot for her to ask for help, In which most cases she would not. It is because of this that I ask in all of you to help pay for Lisa’s medical expenses and living cost per month so that she can take the proper time neeeded to deal with her disease. Without help Lisa’s chances decline. The funds collected would go towards Lisa’s medication and living cost. This would allow Lisa to take the time off that is needed and relief her of all the added financial stress. No one should have to suffer and work through and illness. Even if you can not help in a monetary way you can always help by leaving Lisa a note of encouragement. I know Lisa would much love that. Please help Lisa fight this terrible disease it could happen to anyone Thank you all