Wendy VanderVeen's Medical Expenses

I was diagnosed with melanoma on my daughter's birthday this year, two days before Christmas. I've already had one surgery to remove the original site of the cancer and two lymph nodes. Just one month after hearing the diagnosis, I learned that it had spread to one of my lymph nodes and is Stage 3 Melanoma. Thankfully, further scans have shown that it has not metastasized to any other parts of the body. The next steps look like another major surgery and immunotherapy, though I am in the researching phase to decide what is the best path for us to take.

All of this is happening during my last semester of grad school to become a middle or high school English teacher. I am juggling student teaching during the day, night classes, and cancer, with hopes of graduating in May or July. I've been working full-time on grad school for the past 9 months and part-time for the 2 years before that. The Lord continues to provide for us in amazing ways, and though some of our medical bills are covered by the hospital, the other bills are beginning to add up. I do not have insurance or an income and have been making it this far through the generosity of others and personal loans. I cannot thank my friends and family enough for how they have poured out their love on me and the kids. We are truly blessed beyond measure!