I'm Joseph Wheeler, I'm 53 years old, and 2 days ago, I found out that I have cancer. I won't know the specifics until I have an ultrasound and biopsy next week. My best chance is that it is lymphoma because if it started somewhere else and has moved to my lymph nodes, then, as most people know, it's going to be a much tougher battle, possibly one that I cannot win. I do know it's going to be an expensive journey, and unfortunately, I'm all alone in the fight.

I work more than full-time, I have health insurance, but I know the costs are going to far exceed my coverage. I've always been one to put everything and everyone before me. It embarrasses me to even write this, as I would usually just go without rather than ask for help. I live by myself in a rural area. I feed 30 cats a day; big heart. There have been many times when I don't eat so that they can, so just getting back and forth to treatment is going to be a challenge.

As well as being able to pay for whatever treatment is necessary, I really want to be able to do a few things for myself just in case this is my last hoorah. I don't have any family to lean on, and to be honest, I don't have any type of support system. I have friends, but to me, asking is imposing. Just having someone to encourage me on the way, I believe, is probably a huge part of winning the fight, but I don't have that, and I know there are going to be times when I just want to give up.

Like I've told people, I don't have a lot going on in life, but I'm definitely not ready to die. I haven't given up to this point because I hold out hope that there's a chance that tomorrow can be better. So far, it hasn't been, but in my mind, it still doesn't diminish the chance that it might be. I don't expect much from this, as I know the world is what it is. I tried to reach out to my only remaining immediate family member, and the response has been crickets. I don't know what else to do or try. I don't have a very extensive social network, so at the very least, I'm just asking people to share my story.

My hope, or better yet, my prayer, is that this strikes a nerve with someone, somewhere. I don't know, nor do I care about my pride anymore. At this point, my only concern is survival, or at least being able to enjoy life for a little while on my way out. It's been so long that I don't even remember what it feels like to be happy.