I was diagnosed in early August with stage 4 cervical keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. This diagnosis has flipped my world and my husband and 3 children's worlds upside down in a very short amount of time. I thought I would be able to keep working and just schedule cancer treatments around our life, but life isn't accepting that. Our ten-year-old has Type 1 diabetes and has his own appointments. Our 16-year-old is a full-time student who works part-time. Our 19-year-old is a full-time college student who also works. My husband is a veteran and works full-time. My health just is not keeping up with us, as today (9/22/25) I was almost admitted for an emergency blood transfusion, as things had gone from not great to very bad in a matter of 2 weeks since my last labs.

I am about to start chemo once a week, external radiation 5 days a week, and immunotherapy, after the transfusion in the morning. Then, after the external radiation, I will need to be admitted at Hopkins for internal radiation for a few treatments. Then, hopefully, in a few months, I will be able to return to work (I am still currently working, but will need to take some time off in the super near future).

As much as I hate to ask for help, my family needs it. I do not have any more paid time off. I have no other income, and I will try for disability, but it takes a while to start. We need help staying afloat the next few months as I undergo this course. My husband will continue working, but I am also going to need him to be there for me, to be there for the kids, to be my chauffeur, to hold my hand, and just be here when I can't do everything for myself. He also has no paid time off currently. All of our time has gone to our kids' appointments, the house, feeding a family of 5, etc., and that's what this money will be for. It will be for everyday expenses, my share of bills, things our kids need, and to help still have a Christmas, which is my favorite time of the year.

Anything at all is a help. This number is what I would typically pay myself in a span of 3 months, which I am hoping is all the time I need to be called "in remission".