Help Me Afford Life After Cancer/Transplant
Donation protected
Hi everyone! If you didn't know, my name is Shayna, and I am a 35 year-old cancer survivor. It has been a whole year since my blood stem-cell bone-marrow transplant, a life-saving, but highly risky procedure to treat the Acute Myeloid Leukemia, which I was diagnosed with 15 months ago. The good news is, after months of chemotherapy, and a blood stem-cell transplant, I am currently in remission from this aggressive and often terminal cancer.
The outpouring of kindness and support during my treatment from family, friends, and even strangers, has filled my heart with so much love and gratitude. The financial assistance allowed me to focus on my healing and reduced my stress levels immensely.
Unfortunately, new medical developments have put me in a place of once again needing financial support.
While I am incredibly grateful to be in remission, my doctor decided I am too medically fragile to return to work right now. This is due to a compromised immune system and new medical complications, which I will describe below. I had to say goodbye to my job at Whole Foods, along with their health insurance.
In October 2019, I was diagnosed with chronic Graft Vs. Host Disease (GVHD), which is a common complication of the transplant. This is where my new immune system does not recognize certain parts of my body and so attacks them. So far, it has affected my mouth (a mouth that is so raw and painful I go through periods of not being able to eat); my eyes (difficulty with vision and needing monthly shot in my eyeballs!); my skin (rash, skin discoloration, increased risk of skin cancer); my stomach (cramps, pain and digestive issues); to name a few. Though I experience some degree of pain and discomfort daily, the medications for GVHD brings some relief. Unfortunately, they have also lowered my immunity to infections, requiring me to avoid crowded places and sick people. This is especially dangerous, as I am high risk for the Corona Virus (COVID-19) to be fatal if contracted, and because of my condition I also cannot get a flu shot. The precautions I must take are significant and add more costs.
In November of 2019, I developed a neurological disorder called Guillain Barre Syndrome, which attacks the peripheral nerves. I spent a month in the hospital as I was unable to walk from partial paralysis of my legs. Because it was caught early and treated with medication, my recovery was faster than most with Guillain Barre. However, I do continue to have mobility issues and extreme fatigue.
For these reasons, I am not able to work. I struggle to meet the premiums and out of pocket costs of the health insurance I have, now through marketplace. With my income coming from just long-term disability (60% of my previous income), I find it difficult to meet all my living costs - rent, utilities, food, transportation et al. There are also many things I need to enhance my recovery and healing, that is not covered by my insurance (such as physical therapy, regular ol’ therapy, acupuncture, massage, healthy foods and supplements). On top of all of this, I must also manage type 1 diabetes, which I have had most of my life.
As much as I wish I didn't have to do this, I humbly ask you to please consider donating to these costs, if you feel inspired and can afford to. Your financial support, and more importantly, your love and emotional support enhance the healing process for my body and mind, so I may focus on not only surviving, but thriving. I am doing many new and old things I enjoy, and even plan to earn an occupational therapy assistant certification, when I am well enough to do so.
Thank you, everyone, for supporting me through these tough times. I feel like I have an army at my side, and my heart is full.
So much love,
Shayna Landis
,
The outpouring of kindness and support during my treatment from family, friends, and even strangers, has filled my heart with so much love and gratitude. The financial assistance allowed me to focus on my healing and reduced my stress levels immensely.
Unfortunately, new medical developments have put me in a place of once again needing financial support.
While I am incredibly grateful to be in remission, my doctor decided I am too medically fragile to return to work right now. This is due to a compromised immune system and new medical complications, which I will describe below. I had to say goodbye to my job at Whole Foods, along with their health insurance.
In October 2019, I was diagnosed with chronic Graft Vs. Host Disease (GVHD), which is a common complication of the transplant. This is where my new immune system does not recognize certain parts of my body and so attacks them. So far, it has affected my mouth (a mouth that is so raw and painful I go through periods of not being able to eat); my eyes (difficulty with vision and needing monthly shot in my eyeballs!); my skin (rash, skin discoloration, increased risk of skin cancer); my stomach (cramps, pain and digestive issues); to name a few. Though I experience some degree of pain and discomfort daily, the medications for GVHD brings some relief. Unfortunately, they have also lowered my immunity to infections, requiring me to avoid crowded places and sick people. This is especially dangerous, as I am high risk for the Corona Virus (COVID-19) to be fatal if contracted, and because of my condition I also cannot get a flu shot. The precautions I must take are significant and add more costs.
In November of 2019, I developed a neurological disorder called Guillain Barre Syndrome, which attacks the peripheral nerves. I spent a month in the hospital as I was unable to walk from partial paralysis of my legs. Because it was caught early and treated with medication, my recovery was faster than most with Guillain Barre. However, I do continue to have mobility issues and extreme fatigue.
For these reasons, I am not able to work. I struggle to meet the premiums and out of pocket costs of the health insurance I have, now through marketplace. With my income coming from just long-term disability (60% of my previous income), I find it difficult to meet all my living costs - rent, utilities, food, transportation et al. There are also many things I need to enhance my recovery and healing, that is not covered by my insurance (such as physical therapy, regular ol’ therapy, acupuncture, massage, healthy foods and supplements). On top of all of this, I must also manage type 1 diabetes, which I have had most of my life.
As much as I wish I didn't have to do this, I humbly ask you to please consider donating to these costs, if you feel inspired and can afford to. Your financial support, and more importantly, your love and emotional support enhance the healing process for my body and mind, so I may focus on not only surviving, but thriving. I am doing many new and old things I enjoy, and even plan to earn an occupational therapy assistant certification, when I am well enough to do so.
Thank you, everyone, for supporting me through these tough times. I feel like I have an army at my side, and my heart is full.
So much love,
Shayna Landis
,
Organizer
Shayna Landis
Organizer
Portland, OR
