Hello, my name is Joshua John, and I am fundraising for the opportunity to cancel the chaotic aftermath of unfortunate events of being diagnosed with Stage Two Testicular Cancer at the age of 31. I was diagnosed on January 22, 2024. However, this was not the start of my symptoms. My internal pain started the year before in early November of 2023. I was visiting with my doctor for a yearly physical in December and explaining to my doctor about feeling severe pain in my abdominal area. My doctor suggested to move forward with scheduling an ultrasound appointment for the pain I was experiencing to be safe. Within the visit for the ultrasound, we discovered my body had inflammation in my left testicle. My doctor discussed with me shortly after the results that we needed to schedule for a CT within the next week. The CT scan was scheduled on December 29, 2023. The results shortly appeared after the transition into the new year of 2024 with the fear that I may have cancer. My doctor highly recommended scheduling testicular surgery with a biopsy as soon as possible to prevent the cancer from spreading anymore within my body. On January 16, 2024, My Orchiectomy was successful. However, on the same day, I unfortunately was greeted with dreadful, overwhelming results from my doctor. He brought to attention that the cancer had already spread further into my body. We discussed that after I rested from this surgery, I would need to start the process of chemotherapy immediately, which meant I would be out of work for one month from healing from the prior surgery and then at least four months for the chemotherapy because at the age of 31, I was diagnosed with Stage Two Testicular Cancer. The reality of having cancer and spending long hours in medical care and not being able to take care of my own and my elderly mother's financial needs and care due to my health status is terrifying. I honestly feel like a burden.

Biggest Medical Appointments:

• Orchiectomy Surgery-

January 16, 2024

• 1st Week of Chemotherapy-

February 19-23 of 2024.

• 2nd Week of Chemotherapy-

March 11-15 of 2024.

• 3rd Week of Chemotherapy-

April 1-5 of 2024.

• 4th Week of Chemotherapy-

April 22-26 of 2024.

Depending on the results from the listed chemotherapy appointments, the doctor may advise to further continue the treatments with full hope my cancer will be fully cured. During my treatments, my doctor explained the side effects of chemo will alter my activities of daily living. He requested during this period of time I will be unable to work. The side effects that I have experienced are nausea, fatigue, vomiting, weakness, and some other more intense actions. We will know more as of the month of May approaches on what to expect going forward.

I am fundraising for the opportunity to cancel the aftermath chaos of the financial burden of being diagnosed with the unforeseen circumstances of Cancer, including cost of treatment and lack of ability to work at this time. Unfortunately, this type of situation is not something anyone is able to plan for in advance. Prior to my health concerns, you would find me working full-time with The United States Postal Service as a Rural Carrier. You could easily see me with a smile on my face while I enjoyed more of the little things, like walking my dog, going grocery shopping for meal prepping, playing video games, spending time with my friends and girlfriend. I used to have the energy to do so much that brought me happiness, however chemotherapy has made doing the things that I used to enjoy and even basic tasks like getting out of bed difficult. Chemotherapy drastically alters my body and as a result has challenged my mindset. I am battling depression more than I ever have faced before. The amount of pressure on my plate is unbearable and exhausting. If I can be honest, I am embarrassed to even reach out because I need extra support. Asking for help is not something I have ever been good at doing; however, I am faced with the fear of falling so far behind financially that I may lose my home because of the expensive medical bills. Being out of work due to my doctor's directive, I have no incoming income. I have worked for my company for over four years and just recently promoted. I used majority of my annual leave for the doctor's appointments leading up to the Orchiectomy surgery. Prior to my diagnosis, I only had two weeks of annual leave available. Upon reaching out to USPS upper management, the only thing suggested to me was to ask my colleagues to donate their own time off to me with a personal typed letter to be passed around the stations of the Post Office. My upper management discussed I wouldn't be supported financially because they do not offer short term disability for Cancer. Once the letter I typed asking for donated time was passed throughout the stations, only fourteen hours were donated from other employees. Not only has my job denied me short-term disability funding and forced me to be at the mercy of my peers to receive donated time off, but they also caused a discrepancy in my pay that has cost me an additional $1,100 that I am forced to pay back without current income and piling medical bills. Unfortunately, The Post Office only offered more damage than support. My insurance covers majority of the cost however, I am responsible for covering the remaining 30% of appointment/treatment costs and support my mother who is 70 years old and unable to work. We are struggling to pay our monthly bills with all the additional financial responsibilities added on from being diagnosed with cancer to fighting the cancer with no additional income.

MEDICAL BILLS:

• Chemotherapy Sessions listed above- $4,000

• Orchiectomy Surgery- $4,000

MONTHLY BILLS I'M FALLING BEHIND ON:

• House Note- $1,200

• Auto Insurance for both my mom and I- $350.00

• Utilities- $300.00

USPS DISCREPANCY:

• $1,100

I have been unable to work since January 15, 2024. With high hopes that the chemotherapy treatments do exactly what the doctor is expecting, we hope that I will return to working full-time again by the month of June. Personally, I just want my life back to normal. I never expected to be in a position of such worry. I understand whoever may be reading this may also have financial concerns in their own life. I appreciate the time that you took in your own life to just read this. If you are able to donate, I just sincerely want to say thank you. If you are not able to donate, please share. If you believe in prayer, please reach up and say a prayer for a speedy recovery within my battle with Cancer. All of the above are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time,

Joshua John.