Unlike Scarlette O'Hara, I have NOT "always depended on the kindness of strangers". In fact quite the opposite, I've been the one to be of help towards strangers. However, last year I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. If that were the end of the story, I don't think I would be creating this GoFundMe account. I'm 53 years old, a Christian, a mother, and a widow (May 31st, 2020). In the last 6 years, I have lost my mother, my husband of 29 years, and a boyfriend of 2 1/2 years. While that highlights just a few of the obstacles/losses, and even through all of that, it's been my faith that has gotten me through. The bible says, "you have not, because you ask not." -James 4:2

I have always struggled with this verse because I have always been fiercely independent most of my life, and as stated above, it's typically me taking care of the needs of others instead my own needs. I find it difficult and very humbling (not that I'm a proud person, I just typically do things for myself.) to have to ask for help, but here I am. I also feel it necessary to let you know that I have had fibromyalgia since my mid to late twenties. Since being diagnosed with, going through chemo and ongoing treatment for cancer, I have been experiencing what is referred to as a major "flare-up". Specifically, the restless leg, extreme fatigue, and neuropathy in my hands and feet have been extremely painful. With the Fibromyalgia being at its all-time worse, the extreme exhaustion of having both Fibromyalgia and cancer, and the numerous Dr appointments, lab work, and testing that goes along with it, I found it necessary to leave my job last year in November of 2024.

As I mentioned before, if that were it, I probably wouldn't be asking for help. HOWEVER....., Over the last year, I have been through what I now refer to as a "Job"-like experience (the guy from the Bible, who lost everything!). At the beginning of last year ( approx March 2024) I had a seizure that led to the discovery of stage 2 triple positive breast cancer (left breast only) After that I was in, not one, but two motor vehicle accidents. And finally, last month, lost my home of 29 years!

The first accident, (Dec. 2024) I hit my head on the windshield but thankfully, no APPARENT or major damage and/or injury (though some might argue otherwise, lol!). With the second accident, (March 2025) I had just finished my Chemo treatment and was on my way back home. My boyfriend/partner, Jason, and I were on a motorcycle, when a man, pulled out in front of us and then completely stopped in the middle of the road. Where he stopped gave us no options on where we could go. He stopped where his tail end was at the front end of the hood of the parked car to the right of us, and there was oncoming traffic to the left. My boyfriend laid the bike down and skid across the road. I was thrown off the bike and landed in the street. I had internal bleeding and was taken by ambulance to Riverside Community Hospital's trauma unit. I had a level 5 laceration to my spleen, whiplash, and some scrapes and bruises on my elbow and knee. I underwent an angiogram (I have a high tolerance to pain meds, so I felt the entire procedure. The good thing there was, I had no idea where the spleen was located, and now I am very much aware of its location and how it is doing at all times, lol. For instance, if I don't drink enough water daily, the pangs/sharp stabbing pain kick in!) And even though I could feel every turn, and every jab, I was blessed in that the dr's were able to save my spleen! While all of this was going on, we were also in the process of trying to find a place to live and packing up the house that I had rented for 29 years because the house got sold! The new owner of the house had no compassion for the situation at all, and while I was about to go in for emergency surgery, I had the forethought to text let him know we were just in an accident, I was in the hospital with internal bleeding, and they were about to do surgery. After surgery, I was put in ICU and while there I got a call back from him, once again, asking us to hurry up and find a place to live so he could begin renovations on the house because his son was going to move in. That they were spending a lot of money on rent from where his son was currently living. I explained that I had just gotten out of surgery and had no idea of when I was going to be released. As it turned out, I spent 5 days in the hospital and eventually decided to go A.M.A. {Against Medical Advice) because of the pressure he was putting on me to comply with legal documents that he had served.

While we were able to comply with the legal documents in time, we were still unable to find a place to live that we could afford with only one of us working, AND that would allow for my 2 dogs. As a last resort we were offered a room to rent in Moreno Valley from one of Jason's friends, and with time not on our side, we ended up accepting the offer. Please don't get me wrong, I'm extremely grateful. I truly don't know where we would have ended up had it not been for their kindness and compassion. However, so you better understand the situation in its fulness, I went from a 2-parcel piece of property, 8-room, (plus garage) house that I had spent 29 years in, to a room with bathroom, and very small yard for the dogs (truly, I feel bad for them more than anything! They're used to running a very long fence line, with still a lot of room to play, and now spend most of their days cooped up in the room.). And while I now do dishes outside and cook using 3 different appliances, we are all adjusting as best as we can, and again, are extremely grateful!

When we got into the motorcycle accident, Jason never went to the hospital for his injuries. He did, in subsequent days, go to pain management and a chiropractor to find out that he too had sustained whiplash, and damage throughout his back, arms, and neck. About a month ago, Jason's body finally had enough, with the daily rigors of his job as a mechanic, where he pulled engines from city buses and converted them into the new echo friendly buses, and the injuries from the accident continuing to worsen, and ended up taking a leave of absence. Not only to finally address his injuries but also to care for me as my surgery date closes in.

We have been applying for any and every form of financial help available to us (EDD, CALWORKS, etc.) but are in the "hurry up and wait" stage. I applied for SDI in January and was denied. I have a few calls out for someone who understands the process better, to handle my appeals case and will be calling a friends attorney who handled her case tomorrow after my pre-op appointment. Also, while he (Jason) should be resting and going through medical treatment for those injuries, he's still continues to push himself daily trying to find resources available to just meet our daily needs; currently, recycling scrap metal.

In one week, I'm scheduled to have a partial mastectomy (June 9th, 2025). During this week prior to surgery, I have four Dr appointments in San Jacinto/Hemet, and in Murrieta for pre-op procedures (lab work, EKG, Echo, etc.). After surgery, I have 4 more appointments for post-op, pain management, and continued treatment at the oncologist.

Jason and I have been trying to sell what we can on OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace. But with this schedule, the surgery itself, and then recovery time where I'll be on complete bedrest, even doing that is going to be challenging. We have 3 consistent bills with currently no income coming in: rent, a storage unit with things for sale, and cell phone bill, that total to approximately $1050 a month. I'm not asking for endless/indefinite help. But I am asking for at least 2-3 months' worth of help as a "cush", until either, funds become available through the different programs available. Or until one of us is able to get back to work (yes, that means me, too. I'm actually quite anxious to return to working, as I have ADHD and am seriously going nuts not working! and yes, I know it's not advisable!)

We are doing the best we can right now and just need a temporary leg up. Any amount of money you can afford to give is greatly appreciated and humbly accepted.

If you can't help financially, please keep us lifted up in your prayers and thoughts! Thank you, in advance for anything and everything, including your love, encouragement, and support! it is greatly appreciated!!!

ysiC, Carol Robbins

(your sister in Christ)