Lung Cancer Surgery & Treatment

I have lung cancer. In March 2014 I was diagnosed with NSC lung cancer (adenocarcinoma). 4 spots in one area of left lung. This is my 5th bout with cancer in 26 years. A new type & location, thankfully it is not a recurrance.

The backstory:
I got insured in 2015 via the A.C.A. at over $400 a month. I sought care. Several consultations later I found a doctor I was confident in & who agreed with a less invasive surgery option. My insurer ok'd surgery & it was scheduled for April. A month later I got a notice that my plan would no longer be offered in 2016. I'd need to change plans. In truth, my insurer was ceasing operations Jan 1. 

I called both national insurers to find a plan that would cover my scheduled surgery. None would. My options were to buy "Obamacare" again, start over, look for another doctor & get substandard treatment in Indiana, or pay cash in full. I chose to remain with the doctor and means I had confidence in.

I'd budgeted for my $6000 deductable. With only 10 weeks to find another 11k from insurers bait and switch, I couldnt do it on my own. Surgery was delayed once. So I turned to this site. I was out of other options. The cancer was burned out in June, thanks to the donations Ive gotten here.

The medical center reduced my costs on financial need. The cost out of pocket was a bit over $17000, plus flights, food & sublet. Post surgical checkup was good. I got to fly home 8 days later. I dont want to poison myself with chemo or radiation. At a relatively early stage, I've chosen surgery only at this time.

After recovering my goal is to go to Cuba for Cimavax EGF, a lung cancer 'vaccine' which will, with luck, help my body stop encouraging cancer growth. My breast cancer was contributed to by EGF receptor issues, so I optimistically hope it will let me finally remain cancer free. I don't qualify for the US trial (limited to stage 4 patients). Thankfully, I can travel to Cuba for it. The cost is $12,500 plus travel of around $1500, out of pocket. My cancer sister who  is in remission from the same cancer offered to go with me.

A good friend graced me with a loan and my original $6000 deductable was set aside. Your donations & that loan got me to my surgery. The remaining $16,000 I now need will cover the treatments in Cuba & the Netherlands that I cant get in the USA. I also have follow up scans, medicine, tests etc for several years. All donations in excess of the remaining goal will fund those expenses. With your help I believe I can fight this thing and survive.

Last year my son gave me my first grandchild.. a beautiful little girl named Kennadi. Thanks to the donations that allowed me to have surgery, I was healthy enough to travel to meet her for the 1st time as a belated birthday trip after surgery. Now, I am working toward the funds to complete treatment in the Netherlands & Cuba so I can see her grow up.

I want to get back to concentrating on photojournalism of the substance I was shooting a few years ago, as well as directing & creating other art (balance). I'm going to shoot European refugees. There are so many stories I feel the desire to document, but I need to be healthy & focused to tell them with the dignity they deserve.

Having this surgery & continued care means more than I can put into words, though it was painfully hard for me to ask for help. I am the one who takes care of everyone ... so its hard. Know that even if you can't contribute, I appreciate your sharing my gofundme link & your healing energies, prayers, well wishes, and good thoughts as I move through this. #gobeyondgiving

Thank you. Truly.