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Katie's Fight For Her Life

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Over the past 15 months I have had:
~3 major surgeries
~8 hospital stays
~4 needle biopsies
~28 Cat Scans
~3 Pet Scans
~In Vitro Fertilization to freeze my eggs
~countless doctors appointments at countless different hospitals

I'm tired even typing it! 

And finally,on September 24th 2013 I was diagnosed with Stage 4 gray zone Lymphoma. Eek! But it didn't end there.
The months following the diagnosis would be even crazier than the previous ones.

I have multiple doctors disagreeing on my diagnosis. *Gulp* Some say it's cancer while others suspect alternate diseases.

In Feburary, doctors at the University of Virginia put me on a trial medicine called itraconozole in hopes that would shrink my tumors. I found out on May 12th, that the medicine failed. :( 
My tumors still remain and are still causing me harm. 

On May 22nd, surgeons removed a wedge of my left lung to try to finally figure out what is going on. Sadly, this surgery was unsucessful at reaching a diagnosis. So we continue on, searching for answers and ultimately searching for a cure. 

Our next step is Mayo Clinic- and you can read about the details in my most recent update!

In the midst of dealing with the emotions of a cancer diagnosis, it is equally difficult to deal with the financial burden. I have been out of work for a year now and am medically unable to return to work any time soon. Family and friends have been so so so amazing throughout this and I thank you all dearly.

Ben and I are now reaching out and asking for a little more help. Even the smallest amount helps as we have come to realize how much really is involved with a medical journey. The multiple surgeries, the constant co-pays, the many scans and the eventual chemotherapy.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any donation and are beyond grateful for the generosity.

A little financial summary:
· $2,973.16 "“ I was $26.84 away from meeting my out of pocket max on my birthday in May. After that it would have been free. But it was my 26th birthday and I switched to Ben's insurance mid-year. Bad timing for sure!
· $1,800.00 "“ The additional out of pocket max from Ben's plan that started on May 29th 2013.
· $4,000.00 "“ The chemo I'm likely to need is one that can leave you sterile. Ben and I have always dreamed of  starting a family together and we don't want to let cancer stand in our way! So at the age of 26, I did a round of IVF to freeze my eggs.And sadly, insurance doesn't cover it!

That's almost $9,000 in medical bills that I've got to cover from last year alone. And now that its 2014, the $1,800 starts all over again. :( This doesn't include travel expenses to UVA or my $400 a month in medications.

I recently met with a social worker and unfortunately Virginia does not offer short term disability of any kind! There are no programs or resources out there for me. Crushing news. We will continue to fight and I know I can survive this. I just need some help. :)

Donations 

  • Mary Ryan
    • $25 
    • 7 yrs

Organizer

Katie Chouiniere
Organizer

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