Hi, I’m Jitka, and this is my family of 4: my partner Michael, and our two kids. I’ve been recently diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, the least treatable of breast cancers. It is distressing not only because of the toll this has on my nuclear family that I love so much, but also because 3 years ago I lost my father to stomach cancer. He died because his immune system was not able to withstand the consequences of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation. On top, his stoic temperament didn’t allow the necessary space to confront his emotional anxieties, which accompany cancer. When one is feeling no longer useful or able, it hastens the negative impacts of distress and its effects on our biology.
 
Being told by my oncologist that my chance to survive 5 years with the proposed allopathic treatment is less than 40-50%, I need to improve my odds by strengthening my immune system before any such procedures are started. I need to it to feel that I have a fighting chance. Since my diagnosis, I’ve researched immune stimulating strategies that build the immune system without added toxicities. These strategies are costly, and are not covered by health insurance. Period. In order to get through this challenge, I need your help.
 
It is believed that it will take approximately a year to complete the combined treatment process. And Michael and I are confident that the upfront immune stimulating strategies I have identified together with my cancer tutors will enhance the constitution of my resilience, and improve my odds of being the mom and wife I want to be.
 
Our immediate families live far away, and don’t have the financial means to help us. So our goal is to raise $75,000 to allow for a single focus on my healing journey. A vast majority of these funds will go to cover the treatment costs and medical bills.

For example, just the dental work is estimated to be $8,500 for the safe removal of amalgam and heavy metals. In my research, I learned that vast majority of women with breast cancer have some kind of heavy metal or amalgam fillings on their breast meridian. My dentist confirmed that that is indeed where my largest amalgam filling is. The cancer coach cost is $10,000 for the year. The supplements needed for the cancer protocol run a little over $2,500 per month. A treatment in a cancer facility $18,000. All out-of-pocket.

It will help cover the costs of my cancer coaches, intense treatments needed and adjusted as I go through the healing process, supplements, and more. And finally, your generous help will also allow for Michael to stay at home for some time, caring for myself and our kids as I recover, minimizing the impact on them. They’re only 4 and 6, and we’re trying our best to make sure they don’t needlessly fear for their mom. When we need to talk in front of them about our current challenge, Michael and I shield them from that fear by using the word “cat”, to symbolize this intrusion of cancer. They think mom and dad have an imaginary cat, just like they do.
 
Of course this is a difficult ask for us. Not only because of the extreme privacy of the circumstance, but also because like many women and moms, I’m not accustomed to be asking for help – I am the nurturer. But at the same time we also have to admit that we have become the typical fragile American citizen – being one catastrophic health event from poverty, especially as small business owners. And I also have to admit that I can’t do it all, that learning to ask for help and allowing nurture to flow toward me, are some  of the most important skills I have to learn as a woman and mom. After all, I have a daughter, and I want to be a great example to her.
 
And finally, we believe that our experience can be valuable to others on so many levels, and I want to make sure, there is something I can do for you. Having triple negative breast cancer, I’ve learned the healing journey is so intimately predicated on belief and perception. For helping me gain access to a set of solutions I believe will be crucial to my full recovery, you can follow my experience on my private site where I will post weekly updates. There I’ll share the results of all of my treatments, will be transparent on how each week progresses, what works, and what doesn’t. I will be open on how cancer affects me mentally and emotionally, how I manage my fears and how I keep upbeat about my healing. We’ll share how we cope with the stresses and joys of recovery as a family, because I know there are many cancer-fighting moms out with small children. I will be happy to answer any questions about my treatment that come from you.
 
Below are more details about adversities of our small business ventures, and how we plan to move forward after my recovery.
 
We THANK YOU for your consideration, and look forward to your support. I’m anticipating success and many healing conversations. (Everyone who supports me will be emailed link and password to my site to follow my progress.)
 
 
Why Aren't We Able To Fund My Treatments Ourselves?

For 20 years, WTE, Inc., my small business has been committed to making it possible for artists and art lovers to engage their art interests on their terms. (www.wte-usa.com ) I've organized countless international programs for US art professionals to meet their foreign counterparts in countries like South Africa, China, Central Europe, with a special focus on Cuba. But, with the recent US Government’s determination to return Cuba back to restricted travel status, most of our business portfolio collapsed virtually overnight, at the worst possible time. The fall of this economic domino also drastically impacted our other business venture that was just starting to take flight – the baking of delicious gluten-free pies (www.yucasava.com ), that was to be funded from WTE, Inc. A number of catering decision makers have tasted our pies, and their response has been overwhelmingly the same – WOW!

After my recovery, we plan to resume our business operations, and enjoy making the world's taste buds and travel buddies happy.