Cancer Can't Beat Faith. Help Jennifer Fight!

My name is Jennifer Phillips. In August 2023, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer - Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in the left breast. While unveiling the severity of my new diagnosis, I found out that the cancer had spread in my lymph nodes, to my left arm, and was moving rapidly. We had to move expeditiously on a plan to stop the spreading, but unbelievable blockers were standing in our way to start treatment.

It all started when I felt a lump in my breast that gave me minor pains at times. So, I went to see my doctor and she ordered me to get a biopsy. The night before my scheduled biopsy, I got a call from the University of Radiology that my insurance didn’t cover this type of test, although it was ordered by my doctor. This news was surprising to me because I had insurance. Once I got the news, I was going to reschedule my appointment, but my daughters insisted on me still going forth with the appointment and paid out of pocket for this procedure. After the biopsy, I contacted the insurance company right away, and they advised that I had the wrong “tier” of insurance, so I upped it to a higher coverage, which they advised would support my needs. Of course, higher coverage equals higher monthly copay.

After the results came back from the biopsy, the next steps were finding the right doctors and figuring out how to beat this thing. I was optimistic and I knew God was going to heal me! While trying to figure out this insurance, that no one ever heard of, we slowly started realizing that this was an insurance scam, and they didn’t cover anything. None of my doctor's visits, no tests/scans, no chemotherapy, no surgery, NOTHING! My family and I were devastated and we truly didn’t know how we would move forward with basically being considered a patient with no insurance.

My daughters immediately tried to reach out for financial help, reaching out to various cancer agencies, depleting savings/investment accounts, and researching for grants and financial assistance. I don’t know how they did it, but I know I was able to start chemotherapy on October 2nd, 2023.

Chemotherapy was going well, the regular symptoms of chemotherapy were present, but I felt good. I was fighting this thing and felt great progress in my breast. Cancer messed with the wrong girl & I would be back to me in no time!

On December 3rd, 2023, my granddaughter came into my room and was scared at the way I was acting and speaking. I felt fine, so I thought. My grandson rushed me to the hospital, and we found out that I had a stroke. I was hospitalized for a week as they did lots of testing such as CT scan, TEE Scan, echocardiogram, EKG, numerous blood draws, and more to try and figure out why this happened to me. Now we had to take a pause on chemotherapy and get this under control.

My last day of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was on January 22nd, 2024!!!!! Thank you, God! I am super excited that I was able to get to this point. I know this is just the first step, and we have a long way to go, but I am going to keep fighting!

Next steps, we are planning a procedure to place a loop recorder in me to monitor my heart for strokes, then a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. My doctors have planned for me to undergo radiation post-surgery. My doctors have also placed me in physical therapy for the management of chemo-induced neuropathy and post-mastectomy pain and mobility in my left arm.

Still unable to get the financial help we need I have decided to create this Go Fund Me, my two daughters have been doing their very best to cover ALL expenses from bloodwork, medications, chemotherapy, doctor visits, biopsies, MRIs, PET scans, hospital stays, various procedures, on top of my monthly bills due to not receiving disability yet. In addition to all of this, my job has recently terminated me. So, once I finally get through all of this, which I will, I am going to have to search for a new job.

Throughout this entire process, I am still thankful to my Lord and Savior. I know I am a walking testimony, and I will be able to help others who may have to unfortunately go through this process like I have. I know none of this is in vain, I know God has the final say and will continue to protect and provide for me. I have been faithful to Him, and He has shown that He is faithful to me. So, with all my love and deepest gratitude, I appreciate you for taking the time to read this, and if your heart sees it fitting to donate, I THANK YOU in advance and pray God blesses you for blessing me. No amount is too small, and I am appreciative of whatever you can give.

God Bless. Jennifer <3