Help Elizabeth Harlow Overcome Cancer and Financial Strain

Hello, I am Elizabeth Harlow. I have struggled over the decision to start this campaign but dealing with the impact of staying in the hospital then recovery facility for over a month (total 34 days) has forced me to accept that it is essential for my survival.

I returned home on Fri Mar 21st after being in a post-surgery recovery & rehabilitation facility since Mar 3rd due to two surgeries and a colonoscopy.

In early Feb I was in severe pain and was unable to hold any food and finally the pain’s increasing intensity (& other symptoms including bowel obstruction) forced me to go to ER on Feb 17th resulting in hospitalization which required an initial stay in the ICCU for several days. I had to first get a colostomy and then a colonoscopy followed by a surgery that removed colo-rectal cancerous mass.

During the recovery period, am going to need ongoing treatments including chemo. The cancer treatment aspects are still being finalized. And it is unclear how long the colostomy bag will be required. Also, there is another surgery planned but timing is uncertain right now.

My worsening condition, prior to hospitalization, impacted my work which came to a complete halt on Feb 17th.

With my available funds at the time of hospitalization, I was able to meet my Feb expenses and pay the rent for March but now my funds are completely depleted.

My work income (which varies from month to month) plus social security allows me to meet my monthly living expenses.

My average monthly income is $1450 plus my social security is $1050 which together allow me to meet ALL of my monthly living expenses of $2500.

Based on my current condition plus the chemo and its after-effects plus another surgery with some recovery-rehab, it is unclear when I will be able to return to work and start earning again.

My monthly living expenses include: rent, utilities, car insurance, renters insurance, cell phone, groceries plus unexpected miscellaneous expenses (e.g., occasional auto maintenance, dental expenses).

I do not have dental insurance and also have some pending dental costs (a dental bill of about $300 due to a tooth deterioration requiring a partial plate replacement plus additional work that was delayed).

I am starting this campaign to ask for your help to cover an amount equal to three months of lost income or $5000 (==$1450 * 3 + $650 for unexpected/dental costs) so I can fully meet my living expenses before I can start earning income again.

It is important to note that my goal number is the best guess at this time because of the uncertainty in knowing when I’ll be able to start earning again due to several factors:

Have a 3-month chemo treatment starting next week plus a yet-to-be-scheduled follow-up reverse colostomy surgery followed by another unknown recovery-rehab period. My particular concern is the potentially debilitating impact of the chemo treatments. For these reasons, I want to state at this juncture, that I may have to increase this campaign’s goal of total funds to be raised.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a real impact towards helping me survive. If donating isn’t possible, then sharing the campaign with others is equally valuable and appreciated. Of course, sharing the campaign is very helpful regardless of whether you donate or not.

I am deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity. Your support will allow me to heal and recover so I can resume work and get back to my normal life.

With this experience I have learned, the hard way, that getting early and regular colonoscopy is very important. I highly recommend everyone to do this.