Nicole's Breast Cancer Fight Fund
Donation protected
Many of us know Nicole as the talkative, sweet, happy girl next door. She has the gift of gab that could just about convince you to do or buy anything. She somehow has the power to make you feel extreme guilt if you ever don’t do as she asked. She’s definitely one of a kind and the most genuine and thoughtful person you could ever know. Unfortunately, it’s so heartbreaking to say, our Nicole and her family can really use our help right now.
Life for Nicole and her family changed drastically 2 years ago in October of 2012 with the loss of her beautiful mother to breast cancer. Nicole’s Mom, Jan, was diagnosed 2 years prior in 2010 with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. At the time of her diagnosis, Jan was still so full of life. Her spirits were kept up by her grandchildren that she cared for daily. But the cancer moved quickly and spread through her bones, then to her brain and then to her spine before it took her dear life. Throughout her battle with breast cancer, Nicole and her family did all they could to help their beloved Jan get through the pain and constant fight. Nicole stayed on the phone for hours and days at a time handling her mother’s insurance coverage, appointments, you name it. She would do whatever it took to make sure her mother was well taken care of by the best. She was the best daughter she could possibly be to the best mother. When her mother lost her fight, Nicole and her family felt they lost the fight with her.
Two years past and the pain hasn’t yet quite subsided with the loss of her dear mom. The wound is still fresh. That’s why when Nicole found a lump on her breast 3 weeks ago, her world crumbled around her and she was completely terrified. As she should, she went to her Doctor to have it checked the following day. Her hopes were high because her Mother was diagnosed at a later age and doctors have continuously told Nicole and her sister it wouldn’t be hereditary because of that. A biopsy was immediately done and it was confirmed 3 days later that Nicole has cancer and by the 4th day, that it is Stage 2.
All that Nicole could think about was not being there for her husband and children. Her Mother’s battle flashing before her – she had break down after break down. She locked herself in the bathroom and cried. How could she explain this to her kids? How was she going to promise them that she would make it through this when they were already traumatized by losing their beloved Grandmother?
In the weeks since Nicole has been diagnosed, it’s been a constant rollercoaster of emotions. She’s trying to be strong, but reality sets in and gets the best of her. The thought of losing her hair just devastates her. Her husband and children are still coping with the shock of everything. She’s trying to be strong for them but wants to break down every time Ariana asks her if she’s going to be okay. Nicole, with her background being banking for years, has been thinking about the financial stress on top of the terrifying thoughts of going through this ordeal. So I decided I would ask all of our friends to help relieve that stress from her during this time. It was the only way I felt we could help them. I don’t want Nicole or Eddie to have to even think about paying a bill on time during all of this. Her insurance is going to cover 80% of all of her treatments. After that, she’s responsible for the 20%. She doesn’t qualify for any assistance because she and Eddie are both working – which all of us know, after the bills add up, two kids in a Catholic school, a working couple deserves some assistance. I would like to raise as much as we can to help them cover the 20%, prescription costs, gas - being that her hospital is 30 miles away and she’ll have to travel there every other week for chemo, then the following day for an injection, then every other week for blood draws - and anything to help cover costs for her or Eddie having to use any unpaid time.
Because Nicole and Eddie are such good people, this is a break I think they deserve and I know this won’t be hard to do. They’re completely humbled by this and are not expecting a dime but I demanded that they please just let me try and reach out to everyone. Any little bit will help. After all, this is what friends are for. Nicole is already so overwhelmed by all of the support and love from her family, friends, friends of friends and our school community. All the posts on FB and the profile pic changes to "Nicole Strong" brought tears to her eyes. Our thoughtful St. Viator Moms will be cooking a meal for her and her family once a week and dropping off – how amazing! She tried to refuse and it was forced upon her! And you know what – we won’t let her feel bad for letting us help her through this because if it were any of us, they would be right there lending a hand. It’s our turn to give back. I appreciate every single one of you for all of your support and I will let you know – Nicole and Eddie will forever be touched by this.
Thank you sincerely,
Nicole's Support Squad ( Her BFF's <3) #nicolestrong
Life for Nicole and her family changed drastically 2 years ago in October of 2012 with the loss of her beautiful mother to breast cancer. Nicole’s Mom, Jan, was diagnosed 2 years prior in 2010 with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. At the time of her diagnosis, Jan was still so full of life. Her spirits were kept up by her grandchildren that she cared for daily. But the cancer moved quickly and spread through her bones, then to her brain and then to her spine before it took her dear life. Throughout her battle with breast cancer, Nicole and her family did all they could to help their beloved Jan get through the pain and constant fight. Nicole stayed on the phone for hours and days at a time handling her mother’s insurance coverage, appointments, you name it. She would do whatever it took to make sure her mother was well taken care of by the best. She was the best daughter she could possibly be to the best mother. When her mother lost her fight, Nicole and her family felt they lost the fight with her.
Two years past and the pain hasn’t yet quite subsided with the loss of her dear mom. The wound is still fresh. That’s why when Nicole found a lump on her breast 3 weeks ago, her world crumbled around her and she was completely terrified. As she should, she went to her Doctor to have it checked the following day. Her hopes were high because her Mother was diagnosed at a later age and doctors have continuously told Nicole and her sister it wouldn’t be hereditary because of that. A biopsy was immediately done and it was confirmed 3 days later that Nicole has cancer and by the 4th day, that it is Stage 2.
All that Nicole could think about was not being there for her husband and children. Her Mother’s battle flashing before her – she had break down after break down. She locked herself in the bathroom and cried. How could she explain this to her kids? How was she going to promise them that she would make it through this when they were already traumatized by losing their beloved Grandmother?
In the weeks since Nicole has been diagnosed, it’s been a constant rollercoaster of emotions. She’s trying to be strong, but reality sets in and gets the best of her. The thought of losing her hair just devastates her. Her husband and children are still coping with the shock of everything. She’s trying to be strong for them but wants to break down every time Ariana asks her if she’s going to be okay. Nicole, with her background being banking for years, has been thinking about the financial stress on top of the terrifying thoughts of going through this ordeal. So I decided I would ask all of our friends to help relieve that stress from her during this time. It was the only way I felt we could help them. I don’t want Nicole or Eddie to have to even think about paying a bill on time during all of this. Her insurance is going to cover 80% of all of her treatments. After that, she’s responsible for the 20%. She doesn’t qualify for any assistance because she and Eddie are both working – which all of us know, after the bills add up, two kids in a Catholic school, a working couple deserves some assistance. I would like to raise as much as we can to help them cover the 20%, prescription costs, gas - being that her hospital is 30 miles away and she’ll have to travel there every other week for chemo, then the following day for an injection, then every other week for blood draws - and anything to help cover costs for her or Eddie having to use any unpaid time.
Because Nicole and Eddie are such good people, this is a break I think they deserve and I know this won’t be hard to do. They’re completely humbled by this and are not expecting a dime but I demanded that they please just let me try and reach out to everyone. Any little bit will help. After all, this is what friends are for. Nicole is already so overwhelmed by all of the support and love from her family, friends, friends of friends and our school community. All the posts on FB and the profile pic changes to "Nicole Strong" brought tears to her eyes. Our thoughtful St. Viator Moms will be cooking a meal for her and her family once a week and dropping off – how amazing! She tried to refuse and it was forced upon her! And you know what – we won’t let her feel bad for letting us help her through this because if it were any of us, they would be right there lending a hand. It’s our turn to give back. I appreciate every single one of you for all of your support and I will let you know – Nicole and Eddie will forever be touched by this.
Thank you sincerely,
Nicole's Support Squad ( Her BFF's <3) #nicolestrong
Organizer
Jamie Lynn Bhairoo
Organizer
Chicago, IL