“Fighting for Life: Rebuilding Hope with Stage 4 Cancer”

This is the cost of my medical insurance for the year. This is cobra in order to keep my Aetna plan so I can stay with my current doctors and specialists. This isn’t co-pays or deductibles or out of network charges. This is just for the insurance.

A year ago, my life took an unimaginable turn when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What began as a single, hopeful diagnosis quickly unraveled into something far more devastating. Weeks of endless tests revealed that the cancer had metastasized—not only to my lymph nodes, axillary cords, and colon but to several vertebrae in my spine as well. Just days before my 40th birthday, I was told the words that changed everything: stage 4 metastatic carcinoma, with a five-year life expectancy.

Treatment started immediately, thrusting my body into a whirlwind of changes. My fertility was halted, my health deteriorated, and the person I once was seemed to slip away. I was utterly shattered—lost in the chaos of a reality I never imagined for myself.

As if the diagnosis wasn’t enough, I also lost my six-figure job while recovering from surgery—a painful reminder of the fragility of being ill in America. In just a few months, I went from planning to buy my first home to moving back in with my parents, relying on $2,200 a month in Social Security disability to survive. That small amount barely covers my basic needs, let alone the mounting pile of medical bills. I went from thriving and full of plans to feeling completely untethered, battling both illness and despair.

Yet, amid this storm, there is hope. My endocrine therapy is working, keeping the cancer at bay for now—a blessing for which I am endlessly grateful. But the journey has left my body and spirit deeply scarred. Treatments, medications, and surgery have taken their toll, leaving me weak and grappling with countless side effects. Recently, my liver has begun to show signs of strain, adding yet another layer to an already overwhelming fight.

Still, I refuse to give up. Every day, I wake up determined to reclaim my life and make the most of the time I have. I’m starting to feel a small but growing strength within me—a hope that I can move forward. But I need help to rebuild the life that cancer has tried to take from me.

The funds raised here will go toward:

• Covering ongoing medical bills and treatments, including care for side effects.

• Supporting my journey toward greater independence as I adjust to my “new normal.”

• Helping me regain financial stability so I can rebuild and thrive, even while living with chronic illness.

This isn’t just about surviving—it’s about finding a way to truly live again. My dream is to regain my independence, rebuild my life, and create a future filled with meaning, healing, and joy.

Your support can make a real difference. Whether it’s through a donation or by sharing my story with others, you have the power to help me move forward. Every gesture—big or small—brings me closer to reclaiming my life and finding hope in this difficult journey. Thank you for taking the time to hear my story and for standing with me during this unimaginable time.