I've never been the best at asking for help or admitting when things start feeling overwhelming. Right now, I'm really stepping outside my comfort zone and reaching out to everyone I know. My plate is overflowing, and it just keeps getting fuller. As many of you know, my dad passed away about a month ago. His celebration of life is happening back home in California, and I desperately want to be there, but financially, it's tough to make it work for the kids and me without stretching my credit card to the limit.

Yesterday, I found out I have cancer once again, and I’m scheduled for surgery in a few days to hopefully remove all of the tumor. The doctors told me that without this surgery, my life expectancy is about six weeks. The cancer I have is aggressive and grows quickly, plus the tumor is close to a main artery, which makes the surgery risky.

I didn’t publicly share, but both of my vehicles were in accidents this year and ended up being totaled. One was under liability because it was in the shop for months and, of course with my luck, it got wrecked while It was being driven back home. The other was fully covered, but the other party's insurance is being difficult, so I’m now having to take legal action. I purchased that car with my late husband’s life insurance to make sure we had something reliable. To top it all off, our trailer was hitched to it when the accident happened and was totaled too.

Thankfully, the kids and I weren't in the cars during either accident, but we've been left to deal with all the aftermath. Right now, we’re using my boyfriend’s car for our main transportation,which isn’t the most comfortable option, considering his air conditioning broke during this summer heatwave and the small people are squeezed together in the back.

We’re also in the middle of moving to a new place, and that’s brought its own set of stress and financial issues. As a mom, it scares me to think about my three kids who have already lost their dad so suddenly and tragically—now facing the thought of possibly losing me too.

Insurance will help with some of my surgery and hospital costs, but not everything. After surgery, flying to my dad's celebration of life won’t be possible, but I might be able to drive there slowly, with stops, though that’s an additional expense I can't really handle right now.

I’m sharing all of this not to seek sympathy but because after losing my husband, I learned it’s okay to ask for help and let people know when you’re struggling. It doesn’t have to be a silent battle. My family and I would truly appreciate any support anyone can offer.