Hello, my name is Mauraine. I am sharing my story of the challenges I have been faced with since I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in November 2023, which also spread to my lymph nodes.

My cancer journey has been incredibly difficult and has caused me so much physical, emotional, and mental pain. Since my diagnosis, I have undergone 8 months of chemotherapy and lost all my hair. I developed a lung infection that required a stent to be implanted in my lungs. I also developed several blood clots and experienced severe kidney failure that required me to be hospitalized for 4 weeks, delaying my cancer removal surgery.

I consider myself a strong, independent single mother, but this experience has been the hardest fight of my life. I am doing my best to stay positive and optimistic about the future in front of my kids, who have had to witness everything I am going through.

In October 2024, I finally had surgery to remove the cancer tumors in my breast, and I got to go home. Sadly, my return home was short-lived because two weeks later I collapsed. Thank God my daughter was home at the time and was able to have me rushed back to the hospital. Tests confirmed that due to my weakened immune system from chemotherapy, I developed infections in my surgical wounds and in my lungs.

The infection in my lungs was determined to be pneumonia caused by mold. As a result, the hospital informed me that my home needed to be inspected. The inspection confirmed there was significant mold toxicity from black mold buildup in the walls, and that my home was in unlivable condition. Now, in addition to everything I am dealing with, my three daughters (ages 12, 15, and 30) and I were forced to immediately leave our home of 10 years and find somewhere else to live.

Since I was too sick to take care of myself, my oldest daughter had to quit her job to become my full-time caregiver and also take care of her younger sisters. She took me to all my medical appointments, including my radiation treatments five days a week for the next month.

My days are filled with ongoing medications, treatments, and therapy that are not covered. I am overwhelmed with medical and day-to-day expenses that continue to pile up.

Since I am unable to work and have no steady income, I created this GoFundMe page to ask for your help. Please know that no donation is too small, and any amount is greatly appreciated. Your donations will allow me to focus on my healing and recovery. Your support gives me hope to face what the future has in store for me on my cancer journey.

Thank you so much for your support, and for taking the time to read and share my story.