Don't let cancer bankrupt my generous aunt

She’s a widow to a World War 2 veteran. She worked 30 years at a Southern California factory on her feet all day. She retired in 2001 and spent many of her days with her only child visiting yard sales, antique stores and collecting dolls. She never purchased new clothes. Thrift stores were good enough for her.

She’s my little aunt, Mary Pumphrey. Growing up in a single-parent household, I would often give her a card on father’s day to let her know I saw her as my mother’s other half and that I loved her like a second parent.

I call her Tia Mary as most of my relatives do.

Mary could always be depended on to take care of others. When a relative in her native Texas was ill, Tia Mary was there in a heartbeat to help out. When asked to babysit her nieces, nephews and grandchildren, she was there. She also did some pet sitting, always saying “I’ve got nothing better to do.”

Now, times have become very difficult for this generous, loving soul.

Last summer, she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.

For a woman who doesn’t have a single enemy in the world, it was a massive blow. She was given one to three months to live.

But little Tia Mary had a fighting spirit and decided to try chemo. She did monthly treatments. Miraculously, after seven months of chemotherapy and all of its side effects, she went into remission. Before we all had a chance to celebrate, she was dealt a severe blow. Within two days, she was suffering from an unimaginable pain in her upper back. It turns out, chemotherapy is bad for bones and osteoporosis runs deep in my family.  

X-rays showed Tia Mary was suffering from a compression fracture in her upper back. Getting in and out of bed was difficult. Getting in and out of a car was painful. Doctors said there was nothing they could do and to just let it heal by itself. After about 6 weeks, Tia started walking little laps around the house using her walker. Things were looking up. Tia Mary’s son, her primary caretaker who pretty much put his career on hold, thought maybe he could start working again.

That was until last week when Tia woke up to the most pain she’s ever felt in her life. It was in her lower back – a second fracture. Her son took her to the ER six out of the seven-day week, only to have her discharged with more pain meds. She can’t ride in the car and has to be transported by ambulance, which is not free.

To make matters worse, her son, after missing so much work, was let go from his job.

They have too much pride to ask, so I’ll ask for them. Tia Mary, who is living on a fixed income, is suffering a financial loss along with her son to the point that they can’t pay their household bills due to medical fees.

I’m quoting a friend who says “We’re the only country that bankrupts its citizens when they get sick. “

I hope you have it in your heart to help Tia Mary and her son during this serious crisis.


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