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Joyce is Fighting Multiple Myeloma (a Rare Cancer) and Needs Our Help!
The year 2020 started off well for most of us - including Joyce.
However, we have all been witness to the many unfortunate consequences of COVID-19 and the way in which our world has changed since March. As if that were not already enough, Joyce began to experience health problems earlier this summer that resulted in a visit to the ER in June and again in late July - and now her whole world has completely changed. She has been alone in a health care facility since the end of July.
What began as a simple infection has significantly snowballed and she has since been fighting anemia, diabetes, thyroid issues, atrial fibrillation, blood pressure problems, sepsis and kidney failure. After all of that, she was blind-sided by a diagnosis of Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma – a rare form of bone marrow cancer. As a result, she has been receiving both chemotherapy and dialysis treatments on a regular basis. Because of COVID-19 protocols and safety issues, Joyce has been fighting all of this alone for months in the hospital – without the companionship and support of family and friends.
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a rare form of cancer that forms in white blood cells called plasma cells. Plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow where they crowd out healthy blood cells.
The plasma cells are located in the bone marrow. With this condition, a group of plasma cells becomes cancerous and multiplies. The disease can damage the bones, immune system, kidneys, and red blood cell count. Treatments include medications, corticosteroids, radiation, chemotherapy and/or a stem-cell transplant, if a suitable donor can be found for patients who qualify. A cure for multiple myeloma currently does not exist.
How Does Multiple Myeloma Make Joyce Feel?
Multiple myeloma rarely has any symptoms until stage 3. Symptoms of this late-stage cancer include nausea, constipation, pain, fatigue, frequent infections, weight loss, muscle weakness, increased thirst and decreased appetite. The emotional pain of receiving an unexpected diagnosis like this can significantly add to the physical suffering.
More About Joyce
Joyce is extraordinarily strong willed and determined to fight hard to beat this cancer. If you have ever had just one conversation with her, you will walk away appreciating her quick wit and she is still finding ways to share her humor with those around her.
Joyce dearly loves to read and cook and is also a master gardener who enjoys having her hands in the dirt. She volunteers and gives back to her community by helping to educate her fellow avid gardeners. Anyone who knows Joyce, knows that she has a huge soft spot in her heart for all animals - especially cats - and has taken in many rescues over the years. She dearly loves each of her five cats and all are currently being fostered and are awaiting her return.
Prior to her diagnosis, Joyce was employed full-time, but has not been able to work due to her illness and unfortunately, no longer has an income due to exhausting her accumulated paid time off. With no income, medical bills and out of pocket expenses are piling up even with extremely good health insurance. She has a mortgage, a car payment and a home in need of repairs and will require accommodations in the meantime. Joyce is grateful for the love of her family and friends and needs our help while facing all the many challenges ahead of her.
Joyce Awaits Assistance from Social Security Disability
Joyce had been working full time prior to her diagnosis, but does not have any income replacement benefits such as short or long-term disability or long-term care insurance. She is in the process of applying for Social Security Disability, but that will take up to six months to get reviewed and hopefully approved.
How Can YOU Help?
Joyce could rest much easier and use her energy to focus on getting well if we could all pitch in to help alleviate some of the financial challenges she is facing due to her illness. No donation is too small, and every little bit will help to make a difference. Some of the ways in which your donations can help are with:
· Monthly health insurance premiums
· Out of pockets medical expense (deductibles and co-payments)
· Prescription drugs
· Mortgage payment (related insurance and property taxes)
· Car payment
· Car insurance
· Pet food, litter and medicine
Joyce is very private and independent and would never reach out for assistance on her own. So, we have formed Team Joyce, whose mission is to rally the troops to pitch in to help give Joyce some peace of mind, so she can focus on the fight ahead of her!
If you are a believer, please also keep her in your prayers as well. Thank you in advance for anything at all that you can give to help Joyce!
The year 2020 started off well for most of us - including Joyce.
However, we have all been witness to the many unfortunate consequences of COVID-19 and the way in which our world has changed since March. As if that were not already enough, Joyce began to experience health problems earlier this summer that resulted in a visit to the ER in June and again in late July - and now her whole world has completely changed. She has been alone in a health care facility since the end of July.
What began as a simple infection has significantly snowballed and she has since been fighting anemia, diabetes, thyroid issues, atrial fibrillation, blood pressure problems, sepsis and kidney failure. After all of that, she was blind-sided by a diagnosis of Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma – a rare form of bone marrow cancer. As a result, she has been receiving both chemotherapy and dialysis treatments on a regular basis. Because of COVID-19 protocols and safety issues, Joyce has been fighting all of this alone for months in the hospital – without the companionship and support of family and friends.
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a rare form of cancer that forms in white blood cells called plasma cells. Plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow where they crowd out healthy blood cells.
The plasma cells are located in the bone marrow. With this condition, a group of plasma cells becomes cancerous and multiplies. The disease can damage the bones, immune system, kidneys, and red blood cell count. Treatments include medications, corticosteroids, radiation, chemotherapy and/or a stem-cell transplant, if a suitable donor can be found for patients who qualify. A cure for multiple myeloma currently does not exist.
How Does Multiple Myeloma Make Joyce Feel?
Multiple myeloma rarely has any symptoms until stage 3. Symptoms of this late-stage cancer include nausea, constipation, pain, fatigue, frequent infections, weight loss, muscle weakness, increased thirst and decreased appetite. The emotional pain of receiving an unexpected diagnosis like this can significantly add to the physical suffering.
More About Joyce
Joyce is extraordinarily strong willed and determined to fight hard to beat this cancer. If you have ever had just one conversation with her, you will walk away appreciating her quick wit and she is still finding ways to share her humor with those around her.
Joyce dearly loves to read and cook and is also a master gardener who enjoys having her hands in the dirt. She volunteers and gives back to her community by helping to educate her fellow avid gardeners. Anyone who knows Joyce, knows that she has a huge soft spot in her heart for all animals - especially cats - and has taken in many rescues over the years. She dearly loves each of her five cats and all are currently being fostered and are awaiting her return.
Prior to her diagnosis, Joyce was employed full-time, but has not been able to work due to her illness and unfortunately, no longer has an income due to exhausting her accumulated paid time off. With no income, medical bills and out of pocket expenses are piling up even with extremely good health insurance. She has a mortgage, a car payment and a home in need of repairs and will require accommodations in the meantime. Joyce is grateful for the love of her family and friends and needs our help while facing all the many challenges ahead of her.
Joyce Awaits Assistance from Social Security Disability
Joyce had been working full time prior to her diagnosis, but does not have any income replacement benefits such as short or long-term disability or long-term care insurance. She is in the process of applying for Social Security Disability, but that will take up to six months to get reviewed and hopefully approved.
How Can YOU Help?
Joyce could rest much easier and use her energy to focus on getting well if we could all pitch in to help alleviate some of the financial challenges she is facing due to her illness. No donation is too small, and every little bit will help to make a difference. Some of the ways in which your donations can help are with:
· Monthly health insurance premiums
· Out of pockets medical expense (deductibles and co-payments)
· Prescription drugs
· Mortgage payment (related insurance and property taxes)
· Car payment
· Car insurance
· Pet food, litter and medicine
Joyce is very private and independent and would never reach out for assistance on her own. So, we have formed Team Joyce, whose mission is to rally the troops to pitch in to help give Joyce some peace of mind, so she can focus on the fight ahead of her!
If you are a believer, please also keep her in your prayers as well. Thank you in advance for anything at all that you can give to help Joyce!
