- U
- B
As a kid, I lived and went to school on NAF Atsugi, Japan from 1984-1987 and 1991-1994. I loved it and considered myself blessed. Years later after leaving, I found out that during my time there, an incinerator right outside the base had been burning toxic medical and other waste. My elementary school, Shirley Lanham, I went to 1984-1987 was in zone 1. So was the high rise we lived in from 1991-1994. The smoke came right up to my window on the top floor facing the incinerator. We didn't think much about the putrid smell, we just went about our lives on base. They did not do studies on the toxins until 1995 and it took years to shut the incinerator down in May 2001. Many friends from there have suffered or died from cancer. As dependents, we do not qualify for assistance from the government. Only veterans do. Pretty sure these environmental toxins that I was exposed to as a child led to my cancer now.
Fast forward to July of 2022, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have stage 2b invasive ductal carcinoma, with positive lymph nodes. There is only one other case of cancer, prostate, in my family, so needless to say I was floored that I had cancer and at age 46.
I had a double mastectomy in August, and went through chemo from October to December. I haven't recovered physically, and we haven't recovered financially.
We had some help last year with our out of pocket (mostly from family and friends). We still had to take out several loans to cover our shortages to pay for additional expenses like rent in Amarillo (where I get all my treatments) and the 90 mile one-way (and 180 mile total)drive back and forth from our home in Memphis Texas.
We've been negative in the account more times than I can count during this time. Due also in part to missing a lot of work being sick and going to appointments.
My husband can't be with me as I go through all of this, because he works on the road and we absolutely cannot afford for him to lose the hours to be here with me.
Entering the new year, we are tapped out and unable to get any more loans to help us with the out of pocket maximum or other expenses. The out of pocket starts over again on the first. I start radiation on the 4th of January; I have 25 treatments, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. I also have surgery on the 5th to remove my chemo port.
We will have all of the out of pocket due right away. I'll also be missing a lot of work and paying a bunch of fuel expenses to get to treatment and home on the weekends.
My husband and I hate having to ask, but we are at the point where we honestly don't have a choice. Anything y'all can give to help me with my treatments and our expenses would be greatly appreciated.