Let's Bless Tika

Tika was diagnosed with Stage IIB breast cancer in 2016 at the age of 41. She was in the best health of her adult life, building up her small business, and homeschooling her 2 sons. Soon after diagnosis, she had a double mastectomy, months of chemo, integrative therapies, and then reconstruction in 2017. Tika was healing, she was well, and successfully running her dream art studio.
In January 2018, she started experiencing pain in her back that grew worse with each passing month. Her lab-work showed no increase in tumor cells and the X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans showed nothing to be concerned with. In August, when Tika could barely walk, she asked for a pet-scan and it lit up like a Christmas tree. She has innumerable metastatic tumors throughout her bones and a suspicious spot on her liver. She is now Stage IV. Without a cure, it is considered terminal and she will be in treatment for the rest of her life.
Tika's first line of treatment appeared to be working, based off the labs, but at her 6 month scan, she discovered it was false and the cancer had now spread to more bones and 10 tumors in her liver. A second line of treatment was started this summer and thankfully it is working, but accompanied by severe side effects. Her bones have quieted down and most of the liver tumors are inactive. There are 2 liver tumors that are stubbornly still active and growing. Tika's insurance recently denied covering a procedure to destroy those. Her doctors are currently working with her to appeal that decision. Meanwhile, those tumor cells continue to multiply.

Immediate need: This procedure was scheduled for this week and since they gave her only 12 days notice, she cleared her work calendar for the hospital stay and recovery time. Now that it's been canceled, 4 days prior, she cannot recoup that lost work on such short notice and it means another week lost when it finally does get approved. As a small business owner and a sole proprietor, there is no one to cover for her during her absence. If she doesn't work, she doesn't get paid.

Tika was reluctant for her friends and family to start this GoFund Me...we have assured her that this is what community is about. Please, consider contributing to her and her family. We can't take away her illness, but we can band together and help give her some peace of mind with finances. We love you Tika!