Tammy's Breast Cancer Messed With The Wrong Woman!

Hi, I'm Tamara Boyles "Tammy Block".  Thanks for coming on this journey with me.  I'm generally a very private person but I need help and GoFundMe seems to be the best way to accomplish that. It's time to swallow my pride and receive with open arms the love and support from my family, friends, and community.  This past year has brought many challenges to my life, but nothing could prepare me for a breast cancer diagnosis with financial struggles.  While my spirits are high, the surmounting medical bills are stressful which doesn’t help as I’m trying to recover and heal.  I am forever changed and I see the world in a whole new light because breast cancer messed with the wrong woman!
  
   April 19, 2019 My yearly mammogram. Three days later I get call to come back, never a good sign, for another mammogram and ultrasound because of potential abnormalities. I thought, no big deal.

   May 7, 2019 After the ultrasound, the Radiologist told me the images were highly suggestive of malignancy.  This was the first wave of bad news.  Not what I was expecting that day.  

   May 14, 2019 The first visit with the oncologist.  After looking at the images on the mammogram and ultrasound, the doctor wasted no time by doing a needle core biopsy of the mass.

   May 20, 2019 Biopsy results with the second wave of bad news. It was jaw-dropping to hear that I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Did I just hear that I have breast cancer? Tears started to swelled up in my husband’s eyes. I guess I was in shock because I didn't have any tears...yet.  My thoughts were to move forward. Surgery with lymph node biopsy, radiation, and possible hormone therapy. Let's do this! 

   June 5, 2019 MRI to verify the location and size of the tumor. It's approximately one inch in size.


   June 21, 2019 Surgery Day!  I elected to have a lumpectomy with lymph node biopsy. Two weeks until the pathology report comes back to find out the stage of the cancer and treatment plan. In the meantime, the waiting is nail-biting to say the least.  No matter what the results say, I will fight, I will face this head-on and be victorious.


   I want to remove as much financial stress for me and my family during this emotional and difficult time and unfortunately, insurance doesn't cover everything.  The funds from your donations will cover medical and some living expenses.  My husband is the sole provider for our family, so having to take time away from work has already affected us.  The average cost within the first year after diagnosis for those with health insurance are approximately:

   Stage 0:    $60,637
   Stage I/II: $85,121
   Stage III:   $129,387
   Stage IV:   $134,682

   Medical bills as of June 27, 2019 which does not include surgery, future appointments, treatment and a portion of living expenses. There may be other unforeseen expenses depending on the results and stage of the tumor, such as additional surgeries, testing, treatments and medications.

   * Health insurance deductible:  $6,400
   * I’ll pay 40% of everything after the deductible is met
   * Specialist co-pays $80 per visit:  x 4 = $320
   * Office visits:  $229.44
   * Mammograms, ultrasounds, MRI:  $2747.54
   * Genetic testing:  $1,520.73

   Total:  $11,217.71


   Many thanks for your generosity and supporting my recovery and healing.  I couldn’t do this without each one of you.  You will receive much gratitude for your gift and/or well-wishes.  Any donation would truly be a blessing and I welcome your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  This will be a long journey but I will keep everyone updated on my progress.

   A big THANK YOU and much LOVE and APPRECIATION to everyone!

   - Tammy

 ** Please note that you will not receive any services or tangible items for your gift.  Your donation is not tax deductible for income tax purposes.