Donations for Barb's Cancer Journey

In the fall of 2022, Barb was diagnosed with lung cancer. After multiple rounds of COVID the year before, a lingering cough brought the suspicions of her doctors. After many tests, scans, and scopes, a small shadow was noted on one of her bronchial tubes. She was connected with Toledo Clinic right away and began an intense round of chemotherapy, paired with 30 treatments of radiation. Every step of the way, Barb was considered an anomaly as nothing in her charts and treatments made sense to the typical way her doctors saw similar experiences. But we pressed on and hoped her body would show an incredible response to the first plan of action.

Months later, early this year, with the first round of chemotherapy and her radiation treatments completed, her scans weren't quite showing the improvement the doctors had hoped for. (Back to the references of her case being an anomaly.) They sent her files as a case study to U of M, Cambridge, and Ohio State to learn more or see what those here in Northwest Ohio might be missing. And they devised a new plan, a secondary round of chemotherapy (different from the first) to start late summer.

At this time, it was also discovered a small bump had developed on her temple. All scans showed nothing alarming, but a biopsy detected cancer cells. This time, an unrelated, contained, skin cancer. They chose to monitor this area as she underwent her second round of chemotherapy with hopes it would shrink. So far, they haven't noticed shrinkage, but they have decided to do an electrode radiation on the area. And due to her body's amazing response to the second round of chemotherapy, they have decided to extend her treatments into the new year. What we had hoped would be a six month process has become a much longer journey.

That's where our reason for being here begins...

When Barb first started her cancer journey, she was employed and working full-time with ESC (Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center) as a paraprofessional classroom aid in the Swanton district. She worked with the preschoolers during their day to day activities and loved to help them engage with crafts and songs, nature show and tells, and stories. And they loved her! But with her first treatments coinciding with the start of cold and flu season, her doctors recommended she not work until her immune system could recover. Throughout 2022 she was able to obtain partial pay and stay on their insurance plan; however, in 2023 things changed.

Once again, her second round of treatments fell at the same time of year. And for the sake of her health, her doctors issued the same recommendation. This time, ESC was unable to keep her on their roster- meaning no pay and no insurance. Now throughout this entire process, Barb has worked hard to maintain her paraprofessional licenses and certifications, completing all necessary classes and courses online so she can return and hopefully finish the year with her students in the spring. But this has put her household in a complicated financial situation.

Barb has fallen back on John's insurance, and we are grateful for that, but much needed tests and scans are being delayed or not being approved, claims are being rejected, and despite their deductible being met, large bills are still being sent from multiple facilities. It's frustrating to realize you can't trust an insurance policy to truly help cover what's needed. It's frustrating to know you can't trust facilities to know your plan or bill properly. And it's scary to know that in the world we live in, an insured, double-income household can be flipped upside down financially with just one year of unsuspected medical need. This knowledge and understanding, along with the huge financial burden itself, becomes overwhelming so quickly.

So we are asking those around us, who love Barb as much as we do, to help relieve some of that burden. Communities coming together can be powerful, and we live in a pretty great area with some amazing people. So if you're able, we ask that you consider helping John and Barb by donating. Any amount is appreciated! With help covering their bills, they can focus on more important things. We need Barb kept strong and well rested. We need her stress-free and relaxed, able to enjoy each day as her body recovers. We need John supported and able to continue to provide for his family.

All donations will go towards existing and future medical bills as treatments continue, as well as out of pocket payments for treatments not covered and household bills.

Many thanks!!!