Breast Cancer 2: The Rematch
Donation protected
I’ve often said that my life is like a movie. Here is further proof!
The main character of our story is Amber Upson, a 37-year-old geeky, creative, and leaning-toward-hippie-dippie woman who is trying to be the best, most authentic version of herself that she can. She struggles with feelings of self-worth and, consequently, has great difficulty asking for help (to the point where she feels the need to do so in the third person).
Plot
On May 18th, our protagonist received a breast cancer diagnosis. She had surgery on the 13th of June to remove the cancer and extract some lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread. She will also be undergoing a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery in the near future.
This was initially supposed to be done all at once as one surgery on June 13th, but, well, Amber wanted clear skin! She was on Accutane and, as it turns out, Accutane can inhibit healing so she has to be off of that medication for at least a month prior to the big surgery. Damn you, vanity. And damn you, acne at 37!
Amber is waiting on pathology results to see if the cancer has spread and then will visit her oncologist to decide on any additional treatments. So, as of this moment, much is up in the air!
Flashback Sequence
On December 15th, 2003, Amber received her first breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 22. Plot twist, this isn’t her first rodeo! (You figured that out from the title, though, right? Right?)
At that time, she underwent surgery to remove the cancer followed by chemotherapy and radiation. She has been continuously monitored by her medical team in the intervening years, which is how this new cancer was caught so early. (Why can’t those boobs just behave themselves?)
Budget
We’re definitely talking Summer Blockbuster costs on an Indie Film budget. Amber has to meet her health insurance deductible of $3,500 and the medical bills are already rolling in!
Another little plot twist: Amber lost her full time job last July and has had great difficulty finding a new one (although considering this latest plot development, that is probably for the best). Amber is currently working two part time jobs where she is valued and treated well, however she is making much less money than she was in her prior position and she does not get paid time off. Money has already been tight for months now, even prior to her diagnosis.
The surgery on June 13th had Amber missing work for a week and a half and the double mastectomy and reconstruction will have her out of work for 4-6 weeks. If all goes well, she will have many follow up appointments for up to 6 months after the big surgery. If there are complications, this could be extended out even further. And, until the pathology results tell us otherwise, she may also have to undergo chemotherapy again, which is yet more missed work. Out of work means zero income, so she needs help!
How You Can Help
We are nearing the end of the movie where our protagonist has learned something from the prior events of the film and turns that lesson into action. So let’s switch back from the third person to the first person.
I have considered that perhaps this latest diagnosis is, in part, to teach me how to ask for, and comfortably accept, help.
Honestly, this situation sucks! I need help. I cannot do this on my own. Please help me to meet my financial obligations so that I can spend the next few months concerning myself with my recovery rather than my mortgage, my student loans, and my other debts. It sounds so trite and cliché, but it is true that "Every little bit helps!" (Although I think GoFundMe has a $5 donation minimum, so perhaps we should amend that to "Even $5 helps!")
At this point, because there is so much still unknown, I have no idea how much money I am going to need. The amount I am asking for is to cover my deductible as well as an approximation of two months’ worth of expenses. I may need more as this progresses, but let's just start there.
If you are unable to help financially, please consider sharing this page far and wide so that others who are able to help will have the opportunity. It is scary how common my story is and I am sure there are countless people out there who have, or know of, similar stories.
The Ending
I have no idea how this movie ends, but I will do my best to keep all you in the loop with regular updates on my health, my recovery, and the progress of this fundraiser!
Thank you so much for reading this! Love and light to you all! (There’s that hippie-dippie lean!)
The main character of our story is Amber Upson, a 37-year-old geeky, creative, and leaning-toward-hippie-dippie woman who is trying to be the best, most authentic version of herself that she can. She struggles with feelings of self-worth and, consequently, has great difficulty asking for help (to the point where she feels the need to do so in the third person).
Plot
On May 18th, our protagonist received a breast cancer diagnosis. She had surgery on the 13th of June to remove the cancer and extract some lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread. She will also be undergoing a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery in the near future.
This was initially supposed to be done all at once as one surgery on June 13th, but, well, Amber wanted clear skin! She was on Accutane and, as it turns out, Accutane can inhibit healing so she has to be off of that medication for at least a month prior to the big surgery. Damn you, vanity. And damn you, acne at 37!
Amber is waiting on pathology results to see if the cancer has spread and then will visit her oncologist to decide on any additional treatments. So, as of this moment, much is up in the air!
Flashback Sequence
On December 15th, 2003, Amber received her first breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 22. Plot twist, this isn’t her first rodeo! (You figured that out from the title, though, right? Right?)
At that time, she underwent surgery to remove the cancer followed by chemotherapy and radiation. She has been continuously monitored by her medical team in the intervening years, which is how this new cancer was caught so early. (Why can’t those boobs just behave themselves?)
Budget
We’re definitely talking Summer Blockbuster costs on an Indie Film budget. Amber has to meet her health insurance deductible of $3,500 and the medical bills are already rolling in!
Another little plot twist: Amber lost her full time job last July and has had great difficulty finding a new one (although considering this latest plot development, that is probably for the best). Amber is currently working two part time jobs where she is valued and treated well, however she is making much less money than she was in her prior position and she does not get paid time off. Money has already been tight for months now, even prior to her diagnosis.
The surgery on June 13th had Amber missing work for a week and a half and the double mastectomy and reconstruction will have her out of work for 4-6 weeks. If all goes well, she will have many follow up appointments for up to 6 months after the big surgery. If there are complications, this could be extended out even further. And, until the pathology results tell us otherwise, she may also have to undergo chemotherapy again, which is yet more missed work. Out of work means zero income, so she needs help!
How You Can Help
We are nearing the end of the movie where our protagonist has learned something from the prior events of the film and turns that lesson into action. So let’s switch back from the third person to the first person.
I have considered that perhaps this latest diagnosis is, in part, to teach me how to ask for, and comfortably accept, help.
Honestly, this situation sucks! I need help. I cannot do this on my own. Please help me to meet my financial obligations so that I can spend the next few months concerning myself with my recovery rather than my mortgage, my student loans, and my other debts. It sounds so trite and cliché, but it is true that "Every little bit helps!" (Although I think GoFundMe has a $5 donation minimum, so perhaps we should amend that to "Even $5 helps!")
At this point, because there is so much still unknown, I have no idea how much money I am going to need. The amount I am asking for is to cover my deductible as well as an approximation of two months’ worth of expenses. I may need more as this progresses, but let's just start there.
If you are unable to help financially, please consider sharing this page far and wide so that others who are able to help will have the opportunity. It is scary how common my story is and I am sure there are countless people out there who have, or know of, similar stories.
The Ending
I have no idea how this movie ends, but I will do my best to keep all you in the loop with regular updates on my health, my recovery, and the progress of this fundraiser!
Thank you so much for reading this! Love and light to you all! (There’s that hippie-dippie lean!)
Organizer
Amber Upson
Organizer
Naugatuck, CT