Maria's Breast Cancer Fund
My Name is Maria and
I have been dealing with breast cancer for the last year. It started simply
enough with a small bloody discharge from one of my nipples. Mammograms showed
nothing, an MRI showed a faint shadow. Then a biopsy confirmed cancer. First
one lumpectomy; they said they didn't get it all. Then a second lumpectomy;
again not sure they got it all. They recommended a mastectomy. They implanted a port, then some chemo therapy then
some reconstructive surgery. The chemo interfered with the healing of the
incisions for the reconstruction and the wound opened up. This required a
second surgery to take the implant out to await completion of chemotherapy.
Finally after six months of chemo, it's time to go under the knife again for
one more attempt at reconstruction. This will be a complicated procedure
requiring cutting a large dog-ear shaped piece in my back and twisting it over and
slipping it through a slit in my side to rebuild the breast. This followed by
another 7 months of Herceptin treatments through the port in my chest and
another 5 years of Herceptin pills.
Thankfully we have
been able to cope with most of this due to insurance and my husband's income. Now
just at this critical juncture, the company my husband worked for shut down.
Now we have to get by on minimal unemployment benefits. To make it worse the
insurance company changed the deductibles so that we have to pay even more out
of pocket. I don't know how we are going
to make it through all of this. That is why I am asking for your help.
Anything you can
donate will be greatly appreciated. And
whatever blessings are mine to give, I give to you. Thank You.