I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer on the 30th of June. Not only was this the most devastating news that I could have received for myself, but for my family. I couldn't imagine not being able to be around to raise my kids, but leave my husband Robin to raise them alone. Fortunately, I have very good medical insurance that pays all of my medical bills. The unfortunate thing, is that the news of having Breast Cancer couldn't have come at a worse time. As they say, when it rains it pours. Only 3 weeks before the news, our car broke down. We are currently able to drive it to and from short distances, but the engine needs to be rebuilt before we can drive it out of town. We have been having to rent a car when I have to go for Doctors appointments. My grandmother has been affording us the rental when she is able, but this is quickly becoming expensive. The Chemotherapy starts next Wednesday, and then a follow up the next day for a shot to boost my platelets. So, the trips out of town will be a minimum of 2 days a week for the next 5 months. This won't count towards any other appointments for any other testing such as PET scans, MRI's, Ultrasounds, or XRays to see if the Chemo is working. Surgery is also in the treatment plan to either have a lumpectomy, or a full bilateral mastectomy once the tumor has either shrunk to minimal sizing or the cancer has completely disappeared (but the tumor still needs to be removed).  When I start on radiation therapy, the appointments will be every weekday for the duration of treatment which will be for about a month. So, in the long run it would be more affordable to have our car fixed than to rent a car.  Once the radiation therapy starts, Robin will have to take 2 days off work every week throughout until the end so that I have someone to take me back and forth to my appointments. Our income is very little, barely enough to get us by and we live paycheck to paycheck. Robin works 4 days a week at our local Motel 6, and I'm fully disabled with Ankylosing Spondylitis. I'm not sure how I'm going to respond to the Chemo or Radiation so I want to be prepared and have someone to help me at home with housework on a regular basis.   So, with everything going on, I'm asking for $8,000. I don't like asking for help with anything, so this is a huge deal for us. But, it will help with having our car fixed, paying for a maid 2 days a week 2 hours per day until I feel well enough to start back on my regular routine, and for the time that Robin has to take off work. I understand that not everyone will be able to help us monetarily, but you can pray for us and send us your positive energy. Everything positive helps, no matter how small it is and we appreciate it all!  I will post updates as soon as I get any new news, and hopefully only good news will come from now on ;)
~The Dover Family