Help Support Melissa's Cancer Healing Journey
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Dear Friends,
Hello, my name is Melissa Burg, I live in the beautiful state of Montana and just turned 49 years old in October.
I want to start off by saying I was very hesitant on making a Gofundme, but several people suggested that I do it anyway. I do not like asking for help or burden anyone else with my problems. Even now, I want this Gofundme to be more about awareness of getting scanned early and to look into ALL options available, than about me personally.
But here is a short version of my story:
My cancer journey began when my cousin, from out-of-the-blue, messaged me that I should have my heart looked at since heart problems apparently run in our family. So, I scheduled an appointment with my primary doctor, 6 months before my annual physical. It was during this appointment that my doctor said that they had changed the recommendation of having a colonoscopy from 50 years old, to 45. Since I was 48 at the time, she recommended that I have one when I get the chance. I agreed to do it sooner than later and within a week, had my appointment scheduled for June 16th, 2023.
I was so sure there would be nothing to worry about. I ate pretty good, didn't have any symptoms of any problems at all. Much to my surprise after waking up from the colonoscopy, the Doctor said he found a lump in my rectum! What??? I thought it was a joke, then quickly realized he wasn't joking. My next thought was that it probably wasn't a big deal, and it could be easily removed...Then he used the "C" word...He said that it may be cancerous and told me that they had taken a biopsy during the colonoscopy. It was soon confirmed that it was in fact, cancerous.
After several appointments and three scans, the doctor said I was stage 2 but with suspicious lymph node activity. So, stage 3? I'm still not sure. The tumor was measured approximately 6cm long, and kind of thin, not round, more like the size of a thumb. That's huge! I can't believe I didn't have any symptoms or pain.
Since the tumor went into the muscle a tiny bit, my options (according to the Oncologist and Surgeon) were:
1.) Chemo/Radiation first, to try to shrink the tumor, prior to any surgery. (Maybe surgery wouldn't be needed at all if this worked...However, if I didn't respond to the radiation, or if the tumor came back later, I would never be able to have radiation in that spot again...and chemo, my grandma had chemo years ago and I didn't like what it did to her. She went downhill fast with chemo.
OR
2.) Surgery to remove the entire rectum (since it was into the muscle a tiny bit, they couldn't just slice it off like a blister). But, not just the rectum, the anus included. Which would mean: a colostomy bag for life with no guarantees.
This option was a definite "NO!"
At this point of my journey, all I could think about was "other options". Both my Surgeon and Oncologist were surprisingly very supportive of me finding other options. They had called their two options "overkill" since it hadn't spread, but that was all they could offer me. The Oncologist actually did try to find any possible clinical trials for my case, but couldn't find any, neither could I.
After researching online, I decided Brio Medical in Scottsdale, Arizona would be the best fit for me. They seemed to be the best choice for alternative/integrative approaches to cancer. Everything sounded perfect...except that it is entirely out of pocket. The program cost $68,000 for the seven-week program and did not include lodging (which is about another $4,000) plus food/supplements. But they have a very personalized, individual plan for each patient. They use a lot of different therapies and treatments including low-dose chemo. They also have several doctors that specialize in different treatments, and lots of wonderful nurses. You may or may not leave there with your cancer, but they give you a wonderful aftercare plan and continue to monitor your progress. I left with my rectal tumor still haunting me, but according to my PET scan, it still hadn't spread. That was in early October.
Although I am finished with the seven-week program and back home in Montana with some wonderful tools to use to help heal myself, I fear that all I can do now is work more than I ever have before, which is exactly what a person who has cancer should NOT do. Stress is a huge factor in cancer, which supposedly reduces natural killer cells and elevates inflammation. So, in addition to my full-time job, I am taking on a job working evenings and weekends, when I should be spending time with my kids! My two adult daughters and my 13 year old son want to spend time with me, but all I can do is work to pay this loan off. I see them less now than before my diagnosis. It shouldn’t be this way. But I can’t default on my payments. This 30 year “mortgage” loan will need to be paid back. Interest rates on loans are outrageous these days so the monthly payment is a lot. It’s just an awful situation to be in, and it’s terrible that this wasn’t covered by insurance. Maybe someday it will be, but until then, it’s out of pocket.
If by going to Brio, saved my life (and quality of life), it was worth every penny. I just wish I could enjoy my time rather than work it away.
My hope is that this Go Fund Me isn't just about myself, but about awareness in two ways:
1. Get screened for colon cancer at 45 years old, even if you think you are healthy! If one of your parents had colorectal cancer, get screened 10 years younger than they were when they were diagnosed. I was 48, so my kids will be screened at 38.
2. Look at ALL of your options before starting any treatment. Unless you need a life-saving surgery right now, you do have time to research your best options. Listen to your heart, follow your heart. Do what you can to get the treatment you want, everything will fall into place after.
Cancer touches most of us at some time in our life, whether it's a close friend or family member that was diagnosed, a teacher, a coworker, or someone else you're close to, or perhaps even yourself. It is super common, yet it's the word no one wants to hear. The "C" word brings out FEAR like no other word can.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and feel free to share if you like. Also feel free to message me if you have any questions about my journey or want to offer advice. You can find me on Facebook Messenger.
Thanks again!
Melissa Burg
Organizer
Melissa Burg
Organizer
Missoula, MT