<div><strong>Current Health Situation:</strong>
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<div>My name is Quána Madison. I'm a disabled multi-disciplinary artist and healing arts facilitator committed to promoting well-being. You can learn more about me by visiting my <a href="https://www.quanamadison.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a> (<a href="https://www.quanamadison.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.quanamadison.com</a>).
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<div>I have the <a href="https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/risk-factor/gene-mutations-genetic-testing/brca-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>BRCA1 gene mutation</strong></a>, a family history of breast cancer, and a personal history of cancer previvor treatments. In 2016 I had <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-breast-cancer/mastectomy.html#:~:text=When%252525252520both%252525252520breasts%252525252520are%252525252520removed,with%252525252520a%252525252520BRCA%252525252520gene%252525252520mutation." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">double </a>mastectomies, oophorectomy, and hysterectomy to remove suspicious growths and reduce my risk of cancer. I have had repeated health complications from 2017 - 2020.
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<div><strong>Recent breast cancer evaluations revealed that I have a tumor in my right breast. </strong>
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<div><strong>My breast oncologists also diagnosed me with capsular contracture and breast implant illness. </strong>
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<div><strong>I will undergo surgeries to remove the tumor, remove my breast implants permanently to treat the breast implant illness, and reconstruct my breasts using a newer and more intense process called DIEP flap.</strong>
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<div><strong>I'm raising funds to help pay for: </strong>
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<li>the <strong>$5,000 of medical debt</strong> from my recent <strong>breast cancer evaluations </strong>that I have had from July 2023 to February 2024
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<li>the <strong>$10,000</strong> <strong>co-pay</strong> costs for the <strong>two surgeries</strong> that I am having for <a href="https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types/autologous-flap/diep" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>DIEP Flap breast reconstruction</strong></a>, starting in May 2024
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<li><strong>$1000</strong> for <strong>recovery-related medical supplies</strong> &amp; equipment that I need during my <strong>two-month recovery</strong> from the 1st surgery on May 28th, 2024.
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<li><strong>$4000</strong> to help cover my living expenses due to partial missed income during my <strong>two-month recovery</strong> after the first surgery in May 2024, and my <strong>two-month recovery</strong> after the second surgery for DIEP Plan on March 18th, 2025. One of my living expenses is an expensive medication that my health insurance does not cover. It will cost <strong>$2500</strong> to cover the medication cost during the 3 months of recovery time.
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<li><strong>$10,000</strong> for co-pay for DIEP Flap Phase Two surgery on March 18th, 2025. 
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<div><strong>More Details: </strong>
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<div><strong> The tumor in my right breast will be removed and biopsied. I'm grateful for the oncology team I am working with.</strong> I have intense pain in my breasts and across my chest due to severe <a href="https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/corrective-reconstruction/capsular-contracture" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>capsular contractur</strong></a><strong>e. </strong>Despite multiple corrective surgeries----I developed capsular contracture again. The <a href="https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types/implant-reconstruction/illness/breast-implant-illness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>breast implant illness</strong></a><strong> is exacerbating my other chronic illnesses.</strong>
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<div>Although I will be able to collect a portion of my missed income from my part-time job during my recovery times, I will lose the rest of the income that I make from my contract work as a working artist and healing arts facilitator.
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<div>I have health insurance (thank God!---because this has not always been the case for me over the last 10 years), but cancer evaluations are really expensive.
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<div>I have been evaluated for blood cancers, skin cancer, gynecological cancer, and breast cancer over the 8 months.
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<div><strong>I will need a lot of caregiver &amp; home help during the healing process. </strong>So if you are local to Denver, Colorado, and are interested, please contact me.
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77563091_1708382080448330_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
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<div><strong>Complicated Recovery with Chronic Illnesses</strong>
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<div>My complex chronic illnesses complicate my recovery process. I have <a href="https://www.lupus.org/resources/what-is-lupus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>systemic lupus erythematosus</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/fibromyalgia#:~:text=Overview%252525252525252525252520of%252525252525252525252520Fibromyalgia,a%252525252525252525252520heightened%252525252525252525252520sensitivity%252525252525252525252520to%252525252525252525252520pain." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>fibromyalgia</strong></a> , <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360490#:~:text=Overview,although%252525252525252525252520there%252525252525252525252520are%252525252525252525252520many%252525252525252525252520theories." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>chronic fatigue syndrome</strong></a> , <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4798-chronic-pain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>chronic pain syndrome</strong></a>, and <a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/autoimmune#:~:text=A%2525252525252525252520healthy%2525252525252525252520immune%2525252525252525252520system%2525252525252525252520defends,and%2525252525252525252520even%2525252525252525252520turning%2525252525252525252520life%252525252525252525252Dthreatening." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>autoimmune disease</strong></a> . Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain disorder that causes widespread pain, tenderness to touch, fatigue, and brain fog. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a serious, long-term illness that affects many body systems. It causes severe fatigue not improved by rest, post-exertion malaise (where symptoms get worse after any physical or mental activity), pain, dizziness, and brain fog. Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and causes the immune system to mistakenly attack your own body.
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<div>The physical trauma of surgery causes all my chronic illnesses to have major flare-ups. A flare-up is an increase in intensity and/or an increase in the number of symptoms. These flare-ups complicate my recovery and healing process by amplifying both my normal daily chronic pain, fatigue, and postoperative pain.
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<div>My chronic illnesses make my healing process slow and lengthy. Stress exacerbates my disabilities. That said, I'm trying to be proactive about ways to help my healing process with these surgeries. And I'm being open about asking for help.
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<div>Thank you for any support that you can provide. I appreciate you sharing my GoFundMe with your communities.
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<div>Peace be with you,
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<div><em>Quána Madison</em>
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/77563091_1708307825731004_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
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Kendall Hagar

Allyson Johnson

Anonymous

Donna Baker-breningstall

James Butcher

Jananne Settle

Erin Loughran

Rudionna Garza Armstrong

Michael Truppo

Christopher Bailey

Anne Schmidt

Donna Baker-Breningstall

Rachelle Folsom

Help Quána Madison Pay for Surgeries & Recovery

Help Quána Madison Pay for Surgeries & Recovery

Still $8,730 to go. Help us build momentum.