Imagine your last mammogram was in 2016 and everything was clear. You feel good today. Nothing even remotely bothering you. It's been a few years and you think it seems like a good idea to get checked again. That's what Jenni did this past January. Only this time the results were VERY different! After a routine mammogram and a follow-up visit with a subsequent biopsy taken, she was informed on February 17th that she has a type of breast cancer called Invasive Ductal Carcinoma - Grade 2 (an intermediate or moderate grade in which the cells do not look like normal cells and are growing and dividing a little faster than normal).
Jennifer Dick, she goes by Jenni (daughter of Richard and Carol Burky, Altadena, CA), is your all American mom, wife, daughter, secretary, coworker, churchgoer, and volunteer extraordinaire. She and her husband, Philip (son of Bob and Dyanne Dick, Vancouver, WA), live in Sulphur Springs, Texas, have been married for over 30 years and have two beautiful children; Emily (15) and Connor (13).
She works at the local high school as a secretary to the admissions assistant principal. Of course, being a part of the secretarial pool means you have to wear many hats on any given day and Jenni is always happy to help out wherever she is needed. She also supports her daughter as a team sponsor of the tennis team she plays on. This makes her the default team "mom" and she loves it. In all her spare time, she and Philip also teach ballroom dancing at the local community center because she loves that type of dancing and doesn't want to see it fade away.
Jenni said she and Philip had a friend who died of prostate cancer not long ago who told them, "You are never prepared to hear the words, 'you have cancer'." His words rang true for both of them as they tried to process the news of her condition. They've cried together a lot as you can imagine. Their emotions have ranged from disbelief to fear, sadness, and anxiety.
Now they are resolved. They've consulted with experts, researched treatment options, and have a plan to fight and beat the cancer that would otherwise rob their family of the happiness they have together.
Jenni's treatment regimen will be six chemotherapy treatments over the next four months (one every three weeks) and will begin immediately with three appointments in the next nine days including a cardiologist, pre-chemo, and first chemo treatment. She is scheduled for surgery (mastectomy) after the chemo treatment at which time they will be able to determine how effective the chemo was and whether radiation therapy will be required after surgery.
While financial concerns should never dictate whether or when treatment should proceed, it is of concern to Philip and Jenni. They both work at their local high school where Philip teaches art and Jenni works as a secretary. Teachers are notoriously underpaid (average incomes are 19% less than similarly skilled and educated professionals) and secretaries even less. On top of that, they have a high-deductible medical plan in order to make health care coverage "affordable".
The costs for breast cancer treatment, surgery and reconstruction are substantial often exceeding $100,000. Philip and Jenni can expect to not only reach their out-of-pocket maximum deductible ($5000) but the insurance may only cover 80% after that ($20,000). They also expect to lose quite a bit of Jenni's income ($5000 - $10,000) over the next six months as she will have to take unpaid time off to get the chemo treatments and then more unpaid time off to recover from the side effects, which are simply not known or understood yet. They also have to travel over 85 miles to the treatment center adding costs for gas, meals and lodging ($1,500 to $2,000). Finally, there are the uncovered expenses that can dramatically improve recovery, such as a scalp cooling cap system ($300 - $400 per treatment) which can significantly reduce hair loss during chemo treatments.
All things considered, Philip and Jenni need financial help. PLEASE, If you've been affected by cancer or know of someone who has, will you help them in their time of need?
Jennifer Dick, she goes by Jenni (daughter of Richard and Carol Burky, Altadena, CA), is your all American mom, wife, daughter, secretary, coworker, churchgoer, and volunteer extraordinaire. She and her husband, Philip (son of Bob and Dyanne Dick, Vancouver, WA), live in Sulphur Springs, Texas, have been married for over 30 years and have two beautiful children; Emily (15) and Connor (13).
She works at the local high school as a secretary to the admissions assistant principal. Of course, being a part of the secretarial pool means you have to wear many hats on any given day and Jenni is always happy to help out wherever she is needed. She also supports her daughter as a team sponsor of the tennis team she plays on. This makes her the default team "mom" and she loves it. In all her spare time, she and Philip also teach ballroom dancing at the local community center because she loves that type of dancing and doesn't want to see it fade away.
Jenni said she and Philip had a friend who died of prostate cancer not long ago who told them, "You are never prepared to hear the words, 'you have cancer'." His words rang true for both of them as they tried to process the news of her condition. They've cried together a lot as you can imagine. Their emotions have ranged from disbelief to fear, sadness, and anxiety.
Now they are resolved. They've consulted with experts, researched treatment options, and have a plan to fight and beat the cancer that would otherwise rob their family of the happiness they have together.
Jenni's treatment regimen will be six chemotherapy treatments over the next four months (one every three weeks) and will begin immediately with three appointments in the next nine days including a cardiologist, pre-chemo, and first chemo treatment. She is scheduled for surgery (mastectomy) after the chemo treatment at which time they will be able to determine how effective the chemo was and whether radiation therapy will be required after surgery.
While financial concerns should never dictate whether or when treatment should proceed, it is of concern to Philip and Jenni. They both work at their local high school where Philip teaches art and Jenni works as a secretary. Teachers are notoriously underpaid (average incomes are 19% less than similarly skilled and educated professionals) and secretaries even less. On top of that, they have a high-deductible medical plan in order to make health care coverage "affordable".
The costs for breast cancer treatment, surgery and reconstruction are substantial often exceeding $100,000. Philip and Jenni can expect to not only reach their out-of-pocket maximum deductible ($5000) but the insurance may only cover 80% after that ($20,000). They also expect to lose quite a bit of Jenni's income ($5000 - $10,000) over the next six months as she will have to take unpaid time off to get the chemo treatments and then more unpaid time off to recover from the side effects, which are simply not known or understood yet. They also have to travel over 85 miles to the treatment center adding costs for gas, meals and lodging ($1,500 to $2,000). Finally, there are the uncovered expenses that can dramatically improve recovery, such as a scalp cooling cap system ($300 - $400 per treatment) which can significantly reduce hair loss during chemo treatments.
All things considered, Philip and Jenni need financial help. PLEASE, If you've been affected by cancer or know of someone who has, will you help them in their time of need?
Organizer and beneficiary
Philip Dick
Beneficiary