Help Ilona beat breast and ovarian cancer TOGETHER
Donation protected
Let's help Ilona beat breast and ovarian cancer, TOGETHER . . . . .
A "problem" shared, is a "problem" halved.
In September 2018, Ilona was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Being the fighter that Ilona is, Ilona fought to beat breast cancer, naturally, for 2 years.
In April 2020, Ilona was put on bed rest and remained there until January 2021. Not only did Ilona become physically dependant on her already ill mother, who served as her caregiver, Ilona was also rendered unable to earn and left financially dependant, for her medical expenses, on her retired father and younger brother, from October 2020.
In August 2020, Ilona became temporarily paralysed and lost 95% use of her speech, with both her lungs severly covered in fluids.
Many close encounters were experienced and to give Ilona the best possible option to recover as well as fight off the cancer and to avoid being on an oxygen tank permanently, urgent chemotherapy was advised.
Early October 2020, Ilona commenced chemotherapy.
Due to the urgency of Ilona receiving treatment, Ilona not having any health insurance and the waiting lists in government, her brother and father have managed to fund 16 chemotherapy sessions privately for Ilona, for which Ilona is incredibly grateful and has felt blessed.
Ilona's veins started collapsing 18 months ago already and soon after starting chemotherapy the urgent installation of a port was required. Instead, so not to incur any additional expenses, Ilona preservered and endured, what at times she explains has felt like, endless torture.
Recently Ilona became aware of the presence of cancer in the ovaries and to allow her a better chance of a longer life, her doctor is recommending a full hysterectomy, 6 weeks after the completion of chemotherapy, making it the 1st week of May.
The way forward regarding any additional treatment, over and above the hysterectomy, still needs to be discussed with Ilona's doctor. Everything is being taken one step at a time.
The survival rates for breast cancer and ovarian cancer are poles apart. The five-year survival rate of just 46% for ovarian cancer reach the phenomenal 91% survival rate for breast cancer. Hence the urgency of the hysterectomy, first.
This is the starting cost of a full hysterectomy and the cost could double. What will influence the cost will be the size of the tumour/s, time in theatre, the anesthetist and hospital stay. Ilona will only know this after an assessment with the doctor performing the surgery.
At present, the soonest Ilona will be able to look at returning to employment, of any sort, would be in July. Provided she recovers well from the hysterectomy, with no complications and no additional treatment is required.
So, as friends, we are please asking for assistance to help take the financial stress off of Ilona, something she could really be doing without whilst trying to heal, and the pressure off of her family.
Ilona has been incredibly brave enough to admit that she needs help and not being embarrassed to ask for it, something that has ALWAYS been extremely difficult for Ilona to do . . .
We grow when we don't "suffer", alone, in silence and are true to our authentic self ! ! !
We know it's been a tough year for everyone but we have faith that good people still exist and will assist, if they can.
We believe that every contribution, small or large, will make a significant difference.
Bless you for reading our GoFundMe page.
A "problem" shared, is a "problem" halved.
In September 2018, Ilona was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Being the fighter that Ilona is, Ilona fought to beat breast cancer, naturally, for 2 years.
In April 2020, Ilona was put on bed rest and remained there until January 2021. Not only did Ilona become physically dependant on her already ill mother, who served as her caregiver, Ilona was also rendered unable to earn and left financially dependant, for her medical expenses, on her retired father and younger brother, from October 2020.
In August 2020, Ilona became temporarily paralysed and lost 95% use of her speech, with both her lungs severly covered in fluids.
Many close encounters were experienced and to give Ilona the best possible option to recover as well as fight off the cancer and to avoid being on an oxygen tank permanently, urgent chemotherapy was advised.
Early October 2020, Ilona commenced chemotherapy.
Due to the urgency of Ilona receiving treatment, Ilona not having any health insurance and the waiting lists in government, her brother and father have managed to fund 16 chemotherapy sessions privately for Ilona, for which Ilona is incredibly grateful and has felt blessed.
Ilona's veins started collapsing 18 months ago already and soon after starting chemotherapy the urgent installation of a port was required. Instead, so not to incur any additional expenses, Ilona preservered and endured, what at times she explains has felt like, endless torture.
Recently Ilona became aware of the presence of cancer in the ovaries and to allow her a better chance of a longer life, her doctor is recommending a full hysterectomy, 6 weeks after the completion of chemotherapy, making it the 1st week of May.
The way forward regarding any additional treatment, over and above the hysterectomy, still needs to be discussed with Ilona's doctor. Everything is being taken one step at a time.
The survival rates for breast cancer and ovarian cancer are poles apart. The five-year survival rate of just 46% for ovarian cancer reach the phenomenal 91% survival rate for breast cancer. Hence the urgency of the hysterectomy, first.
This is the starting cost of a full hysterectomy and the cost could double. What will influence the cost will be the size of the tumour/s, time in theatre, the anesthetist and hospital stay. Ilona will only know this after an assessment with the doctor performing the surgery.
At present, the soonest Ilona will be able to look at returning to employment, of any sort, would be in July. Provided she recovers well from the hysterectomy, with no complications and no additional treatment is required.
So, as friends, we are please asking for assistance to help take the financial stress off of Ilona, something she could really be doing without whilst trying to heal, and the pressure off of her family.
Ilona has been incredibly brave enough to admit that she needs help and not being embarrassed to ask for it, something that has ALWAYS been extremely difficult for Ilona to do . . .
We grow when we don't "suffer", alone, in silence and are true to our authentic self ! ! !
We know it's been a tough year for everyone but we have faith that good people still exist and will assist, if they can.
We believe that every contribution, small or large, will make a significant difference.
Bless you for reading our GoFundMe page.
Organizer
Olga Kalace
Organizer
County Galway
