Hi.  My name is Jill.  In February  2015 I was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma, just short of my 49th birthday.   After many tests it was found that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in my groin.  The surgeon removed the malignancy from my shin and three of my lymph nodes.  Radiation and chemotherapy followed.  The doctor recommended chemo once a week for 52 weeks.  I am currently in my ninth month of treatment.  There is no guarantee that will be the end of this; it all depends on what the PET scan shows when the chemo is done.  Of course I'm hoping and praying for a favorable outcome.
     Unfortunately, I was forced to stop working right after this past Thanksgiving.  I am now in desperate need of help.  The bills are behind, my savings is completely gone, and I'm at my wits end.  My eldest, Alexis,  is graduating from high school and I just don't know how I'm going to make that happen for her, what with the cost of cap and gown, yearbook,  and senior events that she will never have the opportunity to do again.  My fiance does what he can, but supporting four people on his one income is impossible and our output far exceeds his income.
     My closest friends have been suggesting I do this for quite some time, to which I was resistant, as it is very hard for me to ask for help and to allow people to know all my troubles.  It's come down to where I really no longer have much of a choice.   Alexis and Michael (my 11-year-old) worry enough about me being sick, and although I've tried to keep the financial situation away from they, they are pretty savvy kids and have a pretty good idea of what is going on.
     I want to tell everyone that whatever money anyone sees fit to donate will go to the following:  household bills, insurance and copays, graduation expenses for Alexis, groceries, and gas.
     Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read about what's going on in my life and what prompted me to tell.