- J
- M
Hi friends — welcome to the worst group project I’ve ever been assigned.
The origin story (unfortunately real):
In November, I went in for a routine OBGYN appointment. Nothing exciting. No drama. I had what I thought was a cyst in my left breast. Had one before - no big deal.
Cut to January: diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy the following week.
On January 27, I was diagnosed with metaplastic triple negative breast cancer — a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that’s sneaky and likes to spread to distant organs via the bloodstream.
Things escalated quickly™
Since that diagnosis, my dance card has been filling up:
- MRI
- Chemo education class
- Genetic testing
- An echocardiogram
- PET scan
- Port insertion surgery (so chemo can start)
- Chemo, immunotherapy, and radiation
- Discussion of what type of surgery I will eventually have (take 'em both - I don't care... which leads to possible reconstruction)
All of this is happening fast — because it needs to — and because cancer does not respect calendar boundaries.
At first, I thought: Okay. I’ve got insurance. I can handle this.
Then the phone calls started coming in, asking for payment before procedures can even happen. Turns out “having insurance” and “having thousands of dollars ready on demand” are two very different things.
Why I’m asking for help
“But don’t you have insurance?” Yes! I do, and I know that makes me lucky. But what's totally overwhelming is that “having insurance” still means getting phone calls that go something like:
>“Hi! We’ll need you to empty your pockets before your procedure. No rush. Except yes rush.”<
Between imaging, procedures, and treatments, the out-of-pocket costs pile up fast — especially at the beginning — and there will almost certainly be unexpected expenses along the way.
I’m starting this GoFundMe to help cover:
- My port insertion at the surgery center
- Imaging and diagnostic testing costs
- Other medical and cancer-care expenses (wigs are crazy expensive, y’all!) that come with treatment, including what's leftover after insurance pays for a portion of each infusion
It's super weird to ask for help. But cancer is expensive, treatment is urgent, and this is not the moment for stubborn independence.
A pinky promise
Anything I don’t use from this fund will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida, because this experience has already made it very clear how important community support really is, and so they can continue helping others navigate this same overwhelming journey.
Thank you (seriously)
Whether you donate, share, send a meme, or just quietly root for me — thank you.
Your support means I can focus on the actual work ahead: treatment, healing, and reminding my body who’s in charge.
With gratitude, humor, and a very strong dislike of my left boob,
Sarah
Organizer
