I'm a 53 years old, 9 yr veteran in army.

I have a 12 year old ( Gabriel) and 17 yr old (Houston)

An amazing husband (William)

Last yr in July, went to dr for Covid.

Coughing up blood

Found I had Covid pneumonia, pleurisy, and a large mass in left lung

With scans and biospy found, i was stage 4. Uncurable and inoperable. They gave me 3 to 5 yrs to live.. I have a tumor in left lung that covers half of my lung it has spread around my windpipe, esophagus, and a small tumor in right lung.

Prognosis, surgery wasn't an option. They have done radiation. Now chemo. I must have double chemo every six weeks. For the rest of my life. Most cancer patients don't have to have such an aggressive medical plan... however, this is the only way I may stay alive.

Due to the aggressive treatment I'm required to keep a certain weight to continue my treatment.

I'm having enormous issues with my teeth. Chemo wreaks havoc on some patient's mouths. Mine is one.

Chemo is expensive, insurance ($1233 a month)

I must go a specialist that deals with cancer patients. Not every dentist will work on someone like me.

Now I'm told I have a double abscess that can continue to spread to more teeth. I have bone loss, loss of gum tissue and my teeth not holding up to my treatment and are causing more health issues. The dentist said that I should have had them all pulled prior to radiation and chemo. However, that wasn't an option due to how advanced my cancer is and how it was spreading. The dentist said it was urgent I take care of this now. The dentist explained that the more chemo I have the harder it is to heal , plus the abscesses. So, I'm in a great bind. payment plans aren't an option. Full payment is due prior to work.

I've tried to live the best life I could. I served my country for 9 years. Im unable to work now. I have 2 boys at home that I'm trying to raise and live for...

I only eat one meal a day. Which is a struggle because of chemo and my teeth. If I lose too much weight, chemo will be taken away..and the cancer will take over the rest of my body.

If you've never had cancer you really don't understand how financially draining it on your family. Trying to decide to quit chemo to try to fix my teeth..is a double edge sword. It still won't give the funds I need now to stop the infections.. it would take me over a year to get even close to what they're asking... the chemo is the only thing keeping me alive.

My son a senior. Im praying I will make it til graduation.