Help support Denise kick cancer's ass!
My name is Tiffany, and I'm asking anyone who is moved to do so to contribute to the support of a dear friend as she battles cancer: Sylvia Denise McCarthy.
I apologize ahead of time. I've always know Sylvia Denise as "Denise". But to ensure those who know and love her get to see this I'm editing it to her full name.
Denise is my ex husband's wife. Sounds odd, huh? But yep. She's married to my first husband, Patrick McCarthy. This woman came into Patrick's life and made him a better man all the way around. She truly is his better half.
My ex husband and I have maintained a friendship, but I don't believe either of us ever expected anyone else to understand those efforts. Denise not only understood them, but added to them. She has loved my kids as her own, she has helped Patrick understand teenage girls, she has been understanding of co-parenting communication but even more insanely beautiful, she has become my friend.
Cancer isn't something you plan for. It isn't something you expect. Fear, maybe; But not anticipate.
This July, after co-workers essentially forced her to go to the ER for an intense nose bleed that just wouldn't stop, Denise found herself faced with a diagnosis no one wants to hear.
Denise was told she has MULTIPLE MYEOLMA, often referred to as bone cancer. Essentially, this is cancer of her plasma cells. The cancerous cells are killing the healthy cells and have progressed to deterioration of her bones. She was started on chemotherapy almost immediately.
In about 4-5 months, they hope to perform a bone marrow transplant and then she will proceed with radiation and more chemotherapy.
Denise is strong! In body, mind and spirit! She is a beautiful soul who is not giving up on life! She will fight this with every bit of her. She will fight this with loved ones by her side. She will overcome this next difficult chapter of life.
I am reaching out to the masses in an effort to assist in reducing one of her many stresses that she is now facing: Financial Hardships.
In the ever lucrative business of cancer, just 1 chemo pill costs $1000.
She will need 1/month for multiple years.
This is the just tip of the iceberg.
Part way through her initial stay at the hospital at the time of her diagnosis, she was already $8,000 in debt to Advent Health.
She is attempting to work part time from home for as long as her body will allow. But healing is the priority and as dedicated as she is, she will need to listen to her body if it says to slow down.
Financial stress is a nightmare when you are healthy. I can not imagine adding that to the stress of fighting to live.
Denise and Patrick are tapping into every resource. Patrick is still working full time. They are seeking financial assistance and aid from charities, applying for disability for Denise, and even participating in a survey that has the potential to cover the cost of the $1000/mo chemo pills. They are actively trying to stay ahead of the financial avalanche that is medical care in America. Denise will eventually be out of sick time, vacation time, and undoubtedly unable to even work part time from home, reducing her contribution to the household finances.
I would love for us a whole to be able to help with medical care costs, and to replace her yearly salary so they can focus on healing and thriving. I know that is ambitious. And $100,000 is a goal that seems unattainable. But I'm reaching for the stars for Denise!
I don't know if this will be successful; or if anyone has the ability to help. I know times are tough for everyone; financially and otherwise. But I know that there are people who want to help, who can. Who have the means. And if you are one of those people, and you feel moved to help Denise financially as she navigates this journey, your donation is greatly appreciated. If you can not help financially, or do not feel moved to do so, please consider keeping Denise in your thoughts and prayers (to whom ever you pray). She will need as much positive energy as humanly possible.
Thank you