Fightin' Like Salt-N-Pepa: Help Me Push It Against Cancer

On Friday, February 9th, my life forever changed. During a mammogram, I was told that the lump in my left breast was most likely cancer, and based on the scan, my radiologist, nurse, and doctor were all very concerned. Almost 5 years to the day that I held my Mom as she died from a BRCA related cancer, it was confirmed I too had cancer and would need surgery immediately. Since that day, I have seen my community and job come to support me in ways that bring me to tears. Friends rushed to my side, consulted with my doctors to ensure I had the best possible care, put me up in hotels so I had a peaceful place to heal, and checked in on me daily. My job immediately gave me extra vacation so I could recover without worrying about my PTO. I have never been religious but I have no doubt my Mom is an angel with her hand on my shoulder.

Diagnosis: Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

How you can help: 
My largest needs are for donations to help shave costs off of housing for July and August and for transportation costs. Believe it or not a hotel is less expensive than an airbnb after fees and taxes. I’m also in need of Uber/Lyft gift cards to cut down on the cost of my multiple weekly rides to the various doctors and labs that are not located in the Dignity Health Cancer Center. I’ve been able to secure a hotel for the entire month of July and will now need one more month to finish up radiation and post treatment labs and follow up appointments. I’m staying as close as possible to the hospital so I can get in a daily walk. My radiation appointments are Monday-Friday 8am-9am before the infamous Phoenix heat sets in.

Medical Expenses: A lifetime of being an executive assistant prepared me for fighting the growing stack of insurance denials, paperwork, medical bills, and scheduling. I have successfully negotiated and disputed my bills from over $108,000 to under $10,000. I like to say calling the Insurance Company is my second full time job. I anticipate being able to fully pay these off eventually. Any generous support I receive will alleviate the financial stress allowing me to focus on kick this cancer’s butt and go towards housing, transportation and food during my treatment. In six months I will need reconstructive surgery to even things out (so to speak) and this will contribute to that procedure as well.

Being in a position of asking for help is humbling, but I am determined to fight this sh*tty disease with everything I have. One of my last conversations with my Mom she made me promise if I ever was diagnosed I would advocate for myself. I now see why she made me promise this and I know Julie Ho wouldn't allow anything less than me giving it my all! Thank you for even reading my story and next time I see y'all in person I'm probably going to give you a big hug and cry out of gratitude.