TL;DR - I was diagnosed with cancer for a third time and I need surgery for best outcomes. The surgery will require me to be off work for a total of 8-10 weeks and is scheduled for April 23rd.

The long story: one year after my mom died and after one year of being the sole caregiver to my grandmother (which includes 3x weekly wound dressing changes), I made an appointment for a colonoscopy thinking I was overreacting and it would put my mind at ease… my bloodwork was normal and my symptoms had pretty much disappeared.

Unfortunately, the colonoscopy revealed many polyps, one large mass and one small mass in my colon and a small mass in my rectum. All masses were successfully removed. Further testing revealed that the mass in my rectum was cancerous, but thankfully, we caught it early - T1N0.

Unfortunately, pathology results revealed that my rectal cancer checks all 5 high risk marker boxes and would likely reoccur without removing part of my rectum and colon - a procedure called Low Anterior Resection (or LAR). The good news is that means I shouldn’t need any chemo or radiation the not so great news is I will have major surgery and a (hopefully) temporary ostomy. Furthermore, as part of my diagnostic testing, they discovered a nodule on my thyroid - I am having it biopsied next week but am hopeful it’s benign. And a lipoma was also identified under my left arm - which I am also opting to have removed. We are going to evict all of these anomalies and start my 40th year of life in August cancer free and full of glee…

While I’ve found humor in the situation… I won’t sugar coat it, I am terrified. And going through this without my mom (though she would have been FREAKING out) makes everything nearly unbearable.

I’m anticipating to be off work and without a paycheck for 8 weeks (2 months). Funds received will go towards monthly bills and grocery delivery (as I won’t be able to drive for at least half of that time) and for figuring out how to get my grandmother’s needs met while I am unable to. Anything beyond the goal will go towards paying off my insurance deductible and previous medical debt (accumulated last year for genetic testing to determine if I have Polycystic Kidney Disease - which I do, but a very rare subset that should not progress as to the debilitating degree that PKD typically does - over here in LaurenLand we call that a WIN). If you’d rather send money directly to me, I have a PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App. Or if you’d rather give a gift card - Kroger, Amazon, DoorDash, or Whole Foods would be extremely helpful.

Every little bit helps and I can’t thank you enough for your support. If you’re unable to provide financial assistance - I absolutely believe in the power of good vibes/prayers. I have survived on them my entire life and I believe in the goodness and power of community… thank you for being a part of mine.

picture of “money” used at the Monte Carlo thrown to help my mom with medical bills from my second cancer diagnosis in 1994!

This first picture is from a photo shoot I participated in at CCHMC to raise awareness about ongoing pediatric cancer survivor support available there.