Medical expenses/living costs

I thought I'd never hear the words "You have cancer" again.  At 19, I had Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Three months of daily radiation and it was gone.   Then, in September of 2011, I went for a mammogram, then a biopsy.  The next thing I know, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I was 39. 

I became a patient of Vanderbilt Breast Center, where I had chemotherapy, surgery and more chemotherapy. I went 5 months "cancer free" then got some devastating news after a PET scan. The cancer had spread to my chest wall, spine and kidney.  At this point, we are just praying it stays stable and doesn't spread. Would I like to hear the words "cancer free" again ?  Of course.  I would love to go back to my old life and not worry about every ache and pain.  I basically live from PET scan to PET scan, which are scheduled every 3 months.

We have insurance (thank goodness) but it doesn't cover everything 100%.  There are co-pays, prescription costs, travel expenses, overnight stays for PET scans & doctor visits.  Cancer isn't cheap and it all adds up. Money we use for medical expenses takes away from money used for living expenses.  We have tried to cut down on some extras, but having a teenager still at home, I try not to disrupt things any more than they have been already.

As a friend told me today.. asking for help is hard but drowning in debt when you're sick is harder.  I am posting this for those that have offered to help but didn't know how.  Even $5 helps. I know times are hard for everybody, so if you can't help financially, then I ask you to please continue to pray for me & my family.  Knowing I'm in your thoughts and prayers mean so much.