I got 99 Problems but a Wig Ain’t 1

I celebrated my birthday on Sunday, and if you know a little about me, I LOVE my birthday. I wear a tiara to work and am generally over the top for the whole day. This year I asked my boss if we could skip our potluck and cake because I just didn’t feel like there was much to celebrate.

I knew something was wrong in February 2021, but it took 3 months for me to be diagnosed with stage 2, grade 3 cancer. I have been through 17 rounds of chemo, 15 rounds of radiation, and 2 surgeries. I've had too-many-to-count biopsies, and what feels like every freaking rare side effect known to man (oncologist screaming every other visit as I present with half body rash, eyes swollen shut, fingernails lifting from the nail bed, scalp splitting open, etc). I’ve still got chemo, a third surgery, and biopsies.

My treatment has fallen over 3 separate years of insurance, so I’m responsible for the out-of-pocket before my insurance kicks in. 2021 was $8050, 2022 was $8550, and 2023 will be $6500. I kept up with the first year by using all 3 of my COVID stimulus checks, my savings, and kept working. Thank God for my boss that kept my job for me, even when I was out 4 days every 3 weeks, and for my family that has helped in numerous ways. I’ve received over half a million dollars in treatment so far, and I am struggling to keep up with the bills. My insurance just rolled over for 2023 and I’m about $6200 in the hole right now. The total due at time of service for my other two surgeries was $1500 and $3500, so I’m low-key panicking I won’t have enough room on my credit card for this last surgery.

I do not in any way expect to raise 2022’s medical costs, but I put it up there as an average for yearly treatment costs. I can’t give anything back right now for your generosity, unless you want to be gifted with pics of me without eyebrows (spoiler alert, I looked like an alien) or my undying gratitude. The happy update to all this is I was one of the 30% that had a complete pathological response, so right now no detectable cancer! Fun fact, going through chemo puts you at risk for developing a secondary cancer, but…once again, excellent news! I only have low grade cell changes in my last biopsy, so we’ll wait a year and retest for cancer. I could use any support you can give, literally anything will help. I like funny memes, heartfelt messages, and cupcakes (don’t tell my oncologist, he was stoked I kept my weight stable during treatment…until I gained like 15 pounds. Now he’s like, “Go for walks! Eat less tortilla chips!”)

Love you all – thanks for holding space with me right now. ❤