Well, it has been a roller-coaster couple of months (not including last year) for all of us. Primarily my sister. 

In February, my sister found out that she had a mass on her thyroid. At first diagnosis, they said that there was a 50/50 chance that it would be benign. After visiting several doctors and multiple sonograms, x-rays, testing, we still have a "guess" about the chance of it being benign.  The doctors have said that the tumor (after the sonogram, that's what they are calling it) is approximately 2" in diameter and could be wrapped around her vocal cords.  She has scheduled surgery for removal because her doctors have said that a biopsy would not provide accurate results due to the tumor's size. The part that has recently stressed me out to the max is the fact that the medical field can only classify this as an "elective" surgery to maintain her "quality of life."  This makes it very difficult to move forward with the surgery without jumping through many hoops along the way.

First and foremost, this surgery's cost is very expensive - as we have learned over the last two weeks. Second, we have realized that even good insurance does not always reduce the amount of money you are out of pocket. Last, because of this surgery classification - if you don't have the funds to "prepay" the hospital, they will cancel the surgery. 

This is where our dilemma is. I, as well as my sister, cannot stand asking for any help. However, her surgery is currently scheduled for 4/30, and the hospital & doctor demand prepayment before they will operate. This is a short amount of time to pull together over $10,000 for anyone, much less our family. 

So, with a heavy heart, I am asking for others' help. I know times are very tough for everyone right now, and please don't feel obligated to do anything.  If all you can do is pray or provide positive words - that is enough for us. I am terrified for her even to have this surgery, and even more so if she is forced to live with this tumor in her neck bc of our medical field and their classifications. 

Thank you, again, for reading. I appreciate everyone, whether you can donate or not, more than I will ever be able to show you. I want to make sure my baby sis can have surgery. So she does not have to live each day wondering if the tumor is cancerous or wonder if she will make it to her next birthday. 

With lots of love, Tiff!