Help me fight my breast cancer

Hiya,

I'm Sana (aka Sami), and I have recently been diagnosed with recurrent multi-site breast cancer and stage 3 kidney disease. Next week I'm going in for my consult to schedule a double mastectomy and follow-up treatment. My treatment options are limited because of my kidney issues (I have about 48% residual function), so my prognosis isn't as good as it might be otherwise.

This fundraiser is to cover our out-of-pocket medical costs for my double mastectomy (deductible and uncovered fees, $5800), transportation costs to treatment since I won't be able to drive for quite a while (and my wife doesn't drive) (~$750-800), and care items that insurance doesn't cover such as mastectomy pillows, compression garments and drain care items (~1500).

More about me: I work at Middle Tennesse State University in the Dance program doing student and faculty support and administrative tasks for the program. I'll be on an unpaid leave of absence during my surgery and recuperation. I am queer, non-binary, and trans-masc, and have been married for almost 23 years to the most wonderful woman in the world. I am an unrepentant bibliophile and enjoy research, crocheting and writing (by hand) when I have the time and materials.

At the best of times, we make only a little over the poverty line and scrape to make ends meet, and these are... not the best of times. We would greatly appreciate any help you can offer to get through this challenge.

We know times are tough for everyone. No donation is too small - every single dollar helps. Also, do not short your own needs to donate. Sharing this request is help enough if you are in your own less-than-good situation. Any money received above what is needed for the above listed expenses will be donated to the Hope Clinic and the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition so they can help others the way they're helping me.

Thank you for reading this, and thank you for your help and boosts!