I Beat Cancer, But It Stole My Booty

Hi my name is Maryn and am 35 years old. I have worked as a Licensed Dispensing Optician for the past 16 years. Life as I knew it, was going great! Great job, wonderful fiancée, and an amazing group of friends. However, on February 13th 2017 my life changed forever.

Over the past year, I had episodes of excruciating stomach and back pain, blood when going to the bathroom,  and had gone in for three separate ER trips and 3 CT scans at 2 different hospitals. Each time I was told that there was nothing wrong with the scans, though was told it was just hemorrhoids. Due to the amount of pain I was in, and daily blood loss, long family history of Cancer and Chrons disease, I knew deep down that the problem needed further attention.

Since I don't have insurance it is very expensive to see a specalist. I swallowed my pride and embarrassment and finally saw a GI doctor. After he examined me, he told me he felt a lump the size of my thumb on my rectal wall. I was scheduled for a colonoscopy a few weeks later and my pain and anxiety was worse as each day came closer to the appointment.
My fiancée took me in for the procedure and tried to help me not to stress and worry, that I was fine. After I woke up, my Dr's face said it all, "Im so sorry Maryn, but it is Cancer and here are the names of an oncologist and surgeon. I turned to my fiancée and obviously lost it. My life had been flipped upside down that morning.

After multiple Dr's visits and scans, the diagnosis of Stage 3 Malignant Neoplasm of Rectum became my opponent's name. I knew I was in for the toughest fight of my life. From the first mention of cancer, I knew I had no choice in the matter to face the tumor and to kill it off.

My great team of Dr's. made a very aggressive treatment plan of 5 straight weeks of oral Chemo pills called Xeloda and radiation. I will have a 2 week break from radiation before I go in for surgery. If need be, I may undergo more chemo, or have a colostomy bag for the rest of my life.

As I start this journey to give Cancer everything I have, I can't help but to stress about the financial burden this is going to cause. The mountainous pile of medical bills is growing daily as are the normal bills. The combo of no insurance and time lost from work is already straining and I'm only   one month in.

Cancer has reared it's ugly head to way too many people and unfortunately, most, if not all of you, know someone who is fighting or made the ultimate sacrifice.

Thank you for taking the time to hear my story. Any amount of a donation that you can make is absolutley priceless my fiancée and I. Please consider donating whatever you can as well as sharing this to anyone and everyone you know!