Sommer's Story
Donation protected
Some of you, I am sure, know well the insurance term "Max out of Pocket". For those of you lucky enough to have never encountered that particular phrase, it is a tragic yet magic number that marks the highest amount an individual (or family) is required to pay for medical services rendered in one calendar year. It is great when you reach that point - the point when you know you will owe no more. The trip to that spot, however, sucks fantastically. I wish we lived in a world where such terms had no place; I mean really, who wouldn't? My family has had the great misfortune of making that terrible trip for 3 years running. For the first two years of "maxing out" we have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and five separate surgeries to thank. This past year Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Her endless entourage of treatment came into our lives. Suffice to say that cancer hit the max in no time and, unfortunately, said treatment continues into this year.
Though Sommer was given the all clear, she still has to undergo radiation therapy which will be starting in the coming weeks. Thus enters the five thousand six hundred fifty dollar goal - the magic number for this year. We will hit that $5,650 well before the last round of radiation therapy, much less the extensive imaging/testing that will follow soon after. Therein lies the reason for this crowd sourcing venture: our pockets just can't max out any more. The first few years really hurt but this year could prove disastrous.
We are, nevertheless, nothing if not resilient. Humana (the insurance company) could testify that it is almost impossible to "kill" Sommer. Jackson and Liam, our two boys, have held up like champs and I have a streak of optimism that even cancer can't crack! We make every effort to focus on things immaterial, as they are the most important of all and no one can take those things away from us! We are the Caldwell's: an elementary librarian (me!), a fantastic wife and mother (Sommer!), a third-grade science and reading freak (Jackson!) and an artistic and often surreal kindergartner (Liam!).
Even as I close this out, I can't quite believe I am doing this. I hereby put my pride in my back pocket and my faith in you, the reader. If you now feel so inclined to help my family and I out then please do. If not, I am still glad that you got to "meet" us. Health and well-wishes to you all!
Thank you very much!!!!
Anton, Sommer, Jackson and Liam Caldwell
Though Sommer was given the all clear, she still has to undergo radiation therapy which will be starting in the coming weeks. Thus enters the five thousand six hundred fifty dollar goal - the magic number for this year. We will hit that $5,650 well before the last round of radiation therapy, much less the extensive imaging/testing that will follow soon after. Therein lies the reason for this crowd sourcing venture: our pockets just can't max out any more. The first few years really hurt but this year could prove disastrous.
We are, nevertheless, nothing if not resilient. Humana (the insurance company) could testify that it is almost impossible to "kill" Sommer. Jackson and Liam, our two boys, have held up like champs and I have a streak of optimism that even cancer can't crack! We make every effort to focus on things immaterial, as they are the most important of all and no one can take those things away from us! We are the Caldwell's: an elementary librarian (me!), a fantastic wife and mother (Sommer!), a third-grade science and reading freak (Jackson!) and an artistic and often surreal kindergartner (Liam!).
Even as I close this out, I can't quite believe I am doing this. I hereby put my pride in my back pocket and my faith in you, the reader. If you now feel so inclined to help my family and I out then please do. If not, I am still glad that you got to "meet" us. Health and well-wishes to you all!
Thank you very much!!!!
Anton, Sommer, Jackson and Liam Caldwell
Organizer
Sommer Johnson
Organizer
Louisville, KY
