As most of you know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February this year. Invasive ductal carcinoma. To say cancer wasn’t on my to do list this year is a vast understatement. I felt the lump in December and I just knew. I had an appointment with my OB in January and was scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. They told me that day it was cancer.

My life has been a whirlwind since February 11th.

I had a double mastectomy on March 21st.

I knew from the start I wanted both breasts gone. My mother died of ovarian cancer, so I chose to do genetic testing and sure enough, I do carry the BRCA 1 gene mutation. Because my mother and her sister, my aunt, passed away from ovarian cancer, and because I carry the gene mutation, I will be having a full hysterectomy taking my ovaries and all, once I finish chemo.

I have done 2 rounds of chemotherapy so far. I have handled them fairly well, managing the side effects with medication as best as possible. I have 2 more treatments to go.

I have held off on creating a go fund me thus far because we have been managing. But I would be lying if I said things weren’t tight. Gerald and I have 4 kids. The bills keep coming and the pets still have to eat and going from two incomes to one has been tough.

Another reason I wanted to start a go fund me is because once I finish chemo I would like to do some sessions in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. I have been to Tier 1 in Norfolk and met with the doctor and taken a tour of the facility. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover the sessions. Each session is out of pocket and not cheap. But I believe it would help my body heal after chemo and multiple surgeries.

I also want to be able to take some time off work after chemo is finished simply to heal and go to therapy. This has been hard on the whole family. Not just me.

Realistically, I have 2 more chemo treatments to do. Then I have a hysterectomy to do, which comes with a 6 week healing period. And then I have another surgery to take the expanders out of my chest and replace them with implants. That’s a lot more “treatment” and time out of work and anything anyone can donate would be a huge help! Anything you donate will go towards regular bills, medical bills, copays, groceries, potential hyperbaric oxygen therapy, psychiatric therapy, fixing my stove, and just life in general.

If you’ve read this far, thank you.

Thank you in advance to anyone that donates. Myself and my family appreciate it more than I could put into words.