Extend My Life

Tami Staples is organizing this fundraiser.

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I am a single mom. I have a 12-year-old son, I have a 15-year-old daughter. Both of my children have scholarships to go to college. I receive $300.00 a month in child support, occasionally a month or so goes by with no payment. I have been doing this for 13 years. My parents died in 1990. My family was not close. Often times, since I was the youngest of 7, with a huge generation gap, I was neglected as a child. I made a vow to myself I would not repeat the pattern onto my family. I have dedicated my life to being that mom who active with children’s at the school, fully active in their life and who they socialize with.
I petition Snohomish County Superior Court in 2009 to allow my children and I to move to Rexburg Idaho so I could attend Brigham Young University. I put myself threw college and recieved a bachelor's degree in social work in 2014. I am 50 years old starting an exciting new career that allows me the flexibility to be involved in my kid’s life.
Now 2 years later, I received a devastating diagnoses of stage 1a breast cancer. I am blessed that its treatable.
Because I have zero support in the way of financial or physical help from family or friends, and not enough insurance to cover all my needs, I find myself having to get very creative to find a way to support my family while in treatment. I am forced to take off 2 months of work. I get paid at the end of every month. I get paid at the end of every month. Since I had no income for November, I will not have any income in December, January or February. Since I will be doing treatment in December, I will have no income in January and due to rehabilitation, I cannot work full time. The hours are less than part time while still being treated for rehabilitation through January. I get paid once a month, so in February I will get a small income at the end of the month for the hours I could put in, in January. I will get paid for February hours at the end of March. So I am suffering financially for the months of December, January, and February.
Because of the appointments, I have had with treatment and recently I fell down some stairs and broke my ankle, I am unable to work for the month of November. I will need rehabilitation for the ankle, that is also not covered.
The cancer has a 1 in 3 chance of returning if I do not do radiation. I was opting out of radiation since I would not be able to work.
Doctor Harrington at Overlake Hospital convinced me that I should do radiation in order to extended life and effectively fighting against reoccurrence. Doctor Harrington explain to me that because I am the sole provider of my children that opting out of radiation is not a good choice.
My biggest concern is doing this right the first time. Taking the steps at all costs to make this a success. Fighting against all odds of this cancer NOT to return.
Currently I am supposed to be in rehabilitation for the four lymph nodes that were removed but, my insurance does not cover it. With a broken ankle and radiation, my immune system will be depleted by months’ end. My goal with this fund is to raise money to make up costs for my living expenses, my bills, and cover costs needed for treatment that my insurance will not cover, such as rehabilitation for the four lymph nodes that were removed, rehabilitation from radiation and rehabilitation for my broken ankle. I am also a candidate for IV therapy to boost my immune system after radiation. (also, not covered)
When I look at all the accomplishments I have made. I feel it is true that I have successfully beat the statistics of being a single parent. I have a good education and I have smart kids that are not on drugs, not having sex, and are college bound.
This set back in my life is crucial for me to overcome effectively and I cannot do it without your help.
I am setting up this fund myself, I am asking to all who can give anything to please give this season in order that I may be able to extend my life and receive the proper care. I need this fund as soon as posable as treatment has already started. This fund is the most meaningful thing I have ever done. It means I will be able to recieve the necissary care and funds to cover living expenses while in cancer treatment. It means that someone cares. I have had little of that in my life and if this is succesful, I will be greatly humbled. It means so much to me and my family to have support at this time.
I am so thankful for this avenue of support that is available, with out it, I would have no support at all. The stress from having such a huge need is interfearing with my healing. Its a blessing for me to have this avenue to reach out for help. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and supporting me even if it is to send prayers and love my way.