Dear Friends, I’m writing on behalf of my friend Leah. On September 10th, her doctor did an excision biopsy, and on September 21st, she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma.

 

Unfortunately, the cancer is already through most of her breast, and the Surgeon is now strongly recommending a mastectomy. We’re all worried about how fast it’s spreading. Once they remove and check her 2 lymph nodes, they will know if she's in stage 2 or stage 3. But regardless, there’s a huge risk to waiting any longer to get it done either way.

 

Leah is one of the strongest people I know - she supports herself part-time cleaning at an antiques store, and is self-employed as a handy-woman the rest of the time under the business name ‘Honey-Do List Services’. She just works all the time to make ends meet. She does remodeling, general construction, painting, lawn maintenance, roofing, cleaning, etc. When she was doing a roofing job this past week she twice thought she had ripped the stitches from the biopsy out it hurt so bad. But she kept on. Because without work she doesn’t have a way to keep a roof over her head, to eat, or to pay her electric bill.

 

With all the time spent on doctor visits and with everything else involved in preparing for the surgery - calling doctors, making sure her insurance will cover it, and on and on, she’s had to cancel jobs already. She’s late making rent for this month. She’s worried about how she’s going to pay the utility bills, or for groceries. Taking time to recover isn’t even in the cards for her.

 

My heart aches for her.

 

This is the note she sent me today:

 

“To say that I’m scared and overwhelmed is a huge understatement. Thoughts keep circling my mind and won’t stop. I just keep thinking of everything I haven’t done yet, and about what my family would go through if I died, about what my body will look like after the surgery, if the cancer has spread to other parts of my body, how to pay my rent, and on and on.

 

My biggest fear (other than dying from the cancer of course) is losing the roof over my head. I missed work yesterday morning and all day today just trying to get an appointment at the breast cancer center in Austin. But then we found out they're completely booked, and so we have to start over. And there’s so much to figure out. My family tries to help, but there’s only so much they can do. Like figuring out what my insurance does and does not cover. What doctors am I allowed to go to? What procedures are covered?

 

I’ve had to cancel several jobs this week already, and there’s so much more to do, to plan, and then the surgery. And time is of the essence. Every minute it feels like there’s a clock ticking in my head.

 

I feel so ill-equipped, small, and weak as I sit here right now. It has taken everything I have to type this letter, and my pride has taken a big hit. I’ve always been able to work just a little harder and make ends meet before. I feel terrible having to ask for help with this. I keep thinking, “Why would anyone give a second thought to me? Everyone has their own troubles.”

 

I feel like I’m backed into a corner and have nowhere to turn.

 

One thing is true though, something like this sure puts things in perspective right quick! I’d got lax in praying and turning to Jesus, but I hit my knees many times in this last week. I’m not sure what His plan is for me but if it is to make it through all this, I’m going to need some help doing that.

 

I don’t know how other people that go through something like this that live alone or don’t have help with the financial burdens, but I wish somebody would please show me. I feel so defeated.” - Leah

 

So, I’m reaching out to ask anyone that’s able to, for help. Even the smallest of assistance can help her through this time. Could take some of the burden off her and give her the energy to beat this cancer!

 

But regardless, thank you anyway just for taking the time to read this.

 

I hope you have a blessed day!