Uterine serous carcinoma, a rare aggressive cancer that is disproportionate for Black women, is one of the few cancers that has an increasing occurrence and increasing death rate. Many of you know that I write about the impact of healthcare disparities among Black women. According to research, Black women don't fare well with cancer diagnoses not because of any biological issue, but because of money. It's hard for Black women to continue their treatment on schedule when there's not enough money for transportation or childcare or the medical expenses of chemotherapy and radiation.

While I have covered healthcare disparities extensively and am quite familiar with them, I didn’t think they would impact me to where I'm fighting for my daily needs. I quickly saw my assumptions tumble. I didn't receive any medical bills while I was on chemotherapy, so I assumed my cancer treatment was completely covered, too. I was wrong. I also assumed that I would and could continue working at the same level as I did before cancer treatment. Again, I was wrong. Finally, I assumed that there wouldn’t be much change in my monthly income once I started chemo and radiation. Wrong, wrong and wrong.

Hello. I’m Elaine. I just completed treatment for uterine serous carcinoma. I dreamed of the day after my last radiation treatment when I could start working some remote job and get caught up financially. Although I got a great prognosis and was told to go back into the world and live, I didn’t anticipate how devastating the aftermath of chemotherapy would be.

My legs and feet started hurting in my final rounds of radiation. Within days, the pain became severe. There were several trips back and forth to the urgent care at the cancer center, several emails sent to my oncologist, and several phone calls made to my entire medical team. Chemotherapy had damaged nerves causing neuropathy or pain that I was experiencing. Days and weeks floated together in a haze of medication and pain. Working a job, even remotely, was unlikely.

Today, walking is difficult. I cannot flex my left foot and can only slightly flex my right foot. This means that I easily trip over my feet because my left foot flops and I sometimes can't completely pick up my right foot. I wear braces on both feet to make sure I don't trip and can pick up my feet properly. I will start physical therapy soon. Therapy, hopefully, will help me improve my gait and sense of balance.

I'm reaching out to raise money for my out-of-pocket medical and living expenses for one year. The deep shame I feel for asking for money insists that I remain silent, but I'm fighting for myself and for the opportunity I have to heal from the wreckage of cancer treatment. It takes about a year for damaged nerves to heal. Your support is crucial; however much I can raise will provide some or all the services needed to recover from the wreckage of chemo on my body.

I'll update you on my progress on my healing journey. Thank you for your help.