Please support me in my cancer fight

Hi, friends. My name is Ruth. I’ve been fighting a battle with stage 4 lung cancer for almost 5 years. I was diagnosed in August 2020. I became short of breath and went to the doctor. I had a chest x-ray which showed a large mass and a partially collapsed right lung. I was sent directly to the hospital and after a long day of tests I was admitted. I had every test imaginable and a bronchoscopy. The cancer was in both lungs, on one adrenal gland, both rib cages and my spine. Surgery was not offered as an option. I spent five days in the hospital and started radiation before I left the hospital.

I had 30 radiation treatments,. I had a life port placed in my chest for chemo. Radiation was followed by chemotherapy. After that, my oncologist started me on Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug for non-small cell lung cancer.

Treatment went well. I have CT scans every three months. The tumor on my right lung has been greatly reduced. Some of the other nodules in my lungs disappeared. The tumor on my adrenal gland is gone.

Fast forward about three years into Keytruda treatment. I began to get so fatigued I could barely function and I was short of breath so I went to the ER. Admitted to the hospital again. I was severely anemic. I had a colonoscopy which was normal, and a bone marrow biopsy and was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. I stopped the immunotherapy and started Vidaza, a chemotherapy drug for the MDS. Over the course of the next several months I had several blood transfusions and continued Vidaza treatments.

in 2024, the day before Thanksgiving, I started to feel horrible. I had severe stomach pain, chills and sweating, I was feverish and I could barely hold my head up. Back to the ER. More x-rays and a CT scan. I had a perforated colon and was septic. This was totally unrelated to the lung cancer and MDS. I had emergency surgery that night and the next day. An end colostomy was placed. I spent six weeks in the hospital, most of that in ICU. I lost 55 pounds.

in April, 2025, I was able to have the colostomy reversed. Yay! No more bag!

in May I started back on Vidaza.

I was not able to go back to work after my diagnosis and I officially retired in 2021. I applied for disability and was approved. I received disability until my SSI started.

I have completely wiped out my savings. I live as frugally as possible. My only luxury is internet. I was able to use credit cards for a while but that became a juggling act. Any funds raised will go directly toward medical bills and living expenses. I know things are tight for everyone these days. Any amount of support is truly appreciated. And of course, prayers are always welcomed and most appreciated.

Thank you for taking time to read my story.