UPDATE as of 4/8/17
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As with many ongoing illness treatments, unexpected expenses hit, and with that comes anxiety and stress. Such is the case that Donna and Mike are experiencing now. If you have been thinking of helping them, perhaps knowing their needs have increased will help in your decision-making process. They are eternally grateful for all the help they have received thus far and they continue to rely on God for their strength daily.
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As many of you know, my cousin Donna has been fighting cancer for many years. The latest news is cancer has invaded her brain. From her status on Facebook:
"A combo of drugs so new and so powerful, and shown to be twice as effective on melanoma tumors as the meds I was on before. PLUS, it allows the treatment to cross that blood/brain barrier and kill any melanoma in the brain. So, powerful in fact, that there is a possibility after treatment of never having melanoma again. Wow!! So, what's the catch? Right? Okay, so here's the bottom line. Pardon the strong language, but my doctor says the treatments will be hell. I will go for an outpaitent infusion every three weeks and then more often than not, I'll end up in the hospital in between treatments due to caustic side effects. But they're only hoping on three treatments, max four, and then my job becomes to just get better. Maybe a six month recovery. If I can weather that storm, I could be all but cured of this awful disease."
She had her first infusion this week and so the battle continues. We are trusting God for total healing.
She and her husband Michael do not know we have set this up for them. They haven't asked for help, but they have four children and life right now is fully focused on getting Donna better. They are blessed in that their actual medical expenses (treatments, medicine and associated actual medical costs) are small thanks to insurance, and this being a "trial" program. However, they are incurring other expenses as a direct result of the medical issues, such as travel back and forth for treatment, gas and meals while out of town, etc. These expenses wouldn't exist if she weren't going through this process.
The beauty of GoFundMe is that no one is put on the spot. Most of us do not like asking for help because we don't want to impose on anyone. GoFundMe doesn't impose, it just quietly makes people aware of a need and gives them the opportunity to help -- whether it's financial or through prayer and encouragement. All are greatly appreciated. Again, Donna did not ask us to do this. Her family just wanted to do something to offset their expenses and make life a little easier on them right now.