Eleven weeks ago, I began to experience unbearable pain in my bladder. The pain brought me to my knees. It was incapacitating. I was in pain. I was losing my ability to teach my kindergarten students in a class that educates the most disabled students in the district. I had repeated doctor's appointments. They found nothing wrong but still treated me for a urinary tract infection. This went on for weeks, treatment that went nowhere. In addition to the daily excruciating pain, the medication that I was prescribed to help deal with the pain turned the toilet orange, but it was harmless and couldn't hurt anyone. But people didnt want to use the same bathroom as me. I felt awful about myself. With the help of a very kind donation of sick time, I was able to take the remainder of the school year off.

After many tests since then, I have found out I have bladder cancer. Last Thursday, I was scheduled for tumor removal and chemotherapy. The tumor in my bladder was the size of a grapefruit. They could not remove it all, thus they could not administer the chemotherapy as planned. I was diagnosed with High-Grade Urothelial Carcinoma. Monday, I found out my best chance of survival will involve removal of my bladder, uterus, ovaries, and lymph nodes. I will receive both radiation and chemotherapy.

After the surgery, I will spend a week in the hospital and several weeks after at my mother's to ensure a safe recovery. Part of my GoFundMe is to help me care for my dogs by boarding them while I can't be with them. My two dogs are my whole world, and once I recover, I will have them home with me. Rehoming my beloved animals will never be an option, but it will not be safe to be around them for a while after such a major surgery.

My funds are very limited this summer. I had to switch school districts in January. I took a significant pay decrease. I was laid off for the fall due to budget cuts. I have found a new job that I am very excited about, but I am struggling financially until then. I have a part-time job caring for a disabled individual, and I usually work summer school to make ends meet. Due to the lengthy recovery time of ten to twelve weeks, I cannot work these extra jobs. I need to make sure I am at my best to be able to start with my new kindergarten and first-grade students next fall. I also have medical bills insurance did not cover.

I am not one to ever ask for help, and doing this for myself is humbling beyond belief. But it is my best chance to make sure I can make it this summer after so many financial setbacks.

Thank you for considering helping me.