Help With Holly's Hope
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Life plans change quickly with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Especially after further testing shows the mutated BRCA-1 gene that significantly increases the chances of future breast and ovarian cancer.
That’s what happened to 34-year-old Holly Fox in October when a small lump in her breast put plans for children on hold indefinitely and maybe, well, who knows now?
At this point, Holly is nearing the end of three months of nasty chemotherapy and soon will endure a double mastectomy followed by six weeks of radiation therapy and, later, reconstructive surgery. After that, Holly will have her ovaries removed if it is not safe for her to try to have children and if her ovaries’ function is not restored after chemo. If in vitro fertilization is needed, nothing is covered by insurance and it costs more than $10,000 per attempt. If she can’t have her own children and adoption is necessary, the costs are even more staggering.
Holly is already missing a lot of work and, subsequently, a good portion of the income for the home she shares with her husband, my nephew, Jason. Holly will be put on short-term disability once her FLMA runs out and, during that time, will have her pay cut in half and will have to pay all insurance costs out of pocket.
The loss of income, the uncertainty of future medical expenses, and the dream for a week of recuperation somewhere warm and sunny after the treatments and surgeries are over are the reasons I set up this site. Our dollars won’t cure her, but I believe they will show some love and provide some hope.
As a registered nurse, Holly loves her role as a care-giver. She is extremely uncomfortable as a care-receiver who will need a lot of care over the next six months and more. As a health professional and lifelong optimist, Holly has kept a stiff upper lip— at least in public. In private, she often cries herself dry.
So many people want to help Holly, but only so many can bring food, give her a ride to appointments, or sit with her during chemo and radiation treatments. Holly and Jason are not entirely comfortable with this site, but I hope that all of us can pitch in a little and show our support for Holly so she can live a long and happy life of caring for others. Hopefully, one day, including their children.
That’s what happened to 34-year-old Holly Fox in October when a small lump in her breast put plans for children on hold indefinitely and maybe, well, who knows now?
At this point, Holly is nearing the end of three months of nasty chemotherapy and soon will endure a double mastectomy followed by six weeks of radiation therapy and, later, reconstructive surgery. After that, Holly will have her ovaries removed if it is not safe for her to try to have children and if her ovaries’ function is not restored after chemo. If in vitro fertilization is needed, nothing is covered by insurance and it costs more than $10,000 per attempt. If she can’t have her own children and adoption is necessary, the costs are even more staggering.
Holly is already missing a lot of work and, subsequently, a good portion of the income for the home she shares with her husband, my nephew, Jason. Holly will be put on short-term disability once her FLMA runs out and, during that time, will have her pay cut in half and will have to pay all insurance costs out of pocket.
The loss of income, the uncertainty of future medical expenses, and the dream for a week of recuperation somewhere warm and sunny after the treatments and surgeries are over are the reasons I set up this site. Our dollars won’t cure her, but I believe they will show some love and provide some hope.
As a registered nurse, Holly loves her role as a care-giver. She is extremely uncomfortable as a care-receiver who will need a lot of care over the next six months and more. As a health professional and lifelong optimist, Holly has kept a stiff upper lip— at least in public. In private, she often cries herself dry.
So many people want to help Holly, but only so many can bring food, give her a ride to appointments, or sit with her during chemo and radiation treatments. Holly and Jason are not entirely comfortable with this site, but I hope that all of us can pitch in a little and show our support for Holly so she can live a long and happy life of caring for others. Hopefully, one day, including their children.
Organisateur
David Fox
Organisateur
East Lansing, MI
