JeanBean's Journey: From Cancer to Healing

I've been a paycheck-to-paycheck girl my entire adult life. As a single mom, I've often worked 2 jobs just to make ends meet and maybe make some magic from time to time.

On May 6th, I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). I had already been severely depressed after losing someone I loved more than most on March 27th. As a result, I chose to take a short-term leave of absence from work as of May 16th, until after my mastectomy is completed on June 25th, to process it all and then heal after the surgery. I did this to protect my job, preventing me from experiencing absenteeism issues with all the appointments, while trying to manage my frayed and tattered emotions.

While I'm blessed to have an employer who supports me in my journey, FMLA is an unpaid leave of absence. I've applied for TDI while on leave, but even that only provides 60% of my normal monthly income, leaving me short for bills.

However, in addition to my regular monthly bills, I now have to budget for extra gas for commuting to and from Boston for appointments, the tattoo art for my new breasts to cover up the scarring after the reconstruction is completed, as well as buying all new bras and materials to support me during the recovery. Hence, my decision to create this GoFundMe.

I'm hoping that by opening up to my friends, family, and colleagues, I can raise enough to cover the difference between what I'll get from TDI and what I need to pay all my monthly bills for June and July. Sucks to need help, but sometimes it takes a village.

My sincerest and most heartfelt thank you in advance to anyone who feels compelled to donate.

Much Love & Many Thanks,

JeanBean