Breast Cancer Bills ( Please Share)
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Hi, my name is Lori and I'm 45 years old. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. In December 2013 I found a lump in my breast and after a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy it was confirmed that I had stage 4 her2+ breast cancer which had spread into my lymph nodes. Her2+ meant that it was an aggressive, fast spreading cancer. I was scheduled immediately for several scans and tests to make sure it hadn't spread into other areas of my body and thank goodness it hadn't. My breast surgeon and oncologist decided they would try to shrink the cancer before surgery, so I had surgery to implant a port for chemotherapy.
I received six chemotherapy treatments over a period of five months using four different drugs. The infusions lasted hours and the side effects were horrible for weeks after the infusions. Due to the side effects, I had to take a leave of absence from my teaching position and exhausted all my sick time I had accumulated. I completed my chemotherapy in May, but due to the aggressive nature of my cancer, I will be receiving one of those drugs every three weeks for at least a year.
In May I had a mastectomy on my left breast and removal of several lymph nodes. I'm currently taking radiation therapy five days a week for six weeks. In December I am scheduled to have my left breast removed and hopefully the process of reconstruction can begin. As of right now, my cancer is still present and could mean further treatment may be necessary.
I am returning to my teaching position, but my leave of absence left me with no sick time for my continued treatments and surgeries. My husband is a hard working man who has been at the same job for over 28 years and we have insurance, but without my steady income and with my excessive doctors bills it's been extremely hard. I took out disability insurance two years ago to help with these types of situations, but they found a loop hole and have refused to pay.
I'm asking for your positive thoughts, prayers and whatever you can contribute to go towards my medical bills, continued treatments and my recovery. Please share my story with others.
My deepest appreciation for your help and I will continue to share my progress.
Thank you for your support,
Lori Patrick
I received six chemotherapy treatments over a period of five months using four different drugs. The infusions lasted hours and the side effects were horrible for weeks after the infusions. Due to the side effects, I had to take a leave of absence from my teaching position and exhausted all my sick time I had accumulated. I completed my chemotherapy in May, but due to the aggressive nature of my cancer, I will be receiving one of those drugs every three weeks for at least a year.
In May I had a mastectomy on my left breast and removal of several lymph nodes. I'm currently taking radiation therapy five days a week for six weeks. In December I am scheduled to have my left breast removed and hopefully the process of reconstruction can begin. As of right now, my cancer is still present and could mean further treatment may be necessary.
I am returning to my teaching position, but my leave of absence left me with no sick time for my continued treatments and surgeries. My husband is a hard working man who has been at the same job for over 28 years and we have insurance, but without my steady income and with my excessive doctors bills it's been extremely hard. I took out disability insurance two years ago to help with these types of situations, but they found a loop hole and have refused to pay.
I'm asking for your positive thoughts, prayers and whatever you can contribute to go towards my medical bills, continued treatments and my recovery. Please share my story with others.
My deepest appreciation for your help and I will continue to share my progress.
Thank you for your support,
Lori Patrick
Organiser
Lori Ballein Patrick
Organiser
