My unexpected battle with cancer

I've never done a GoFundMe before, and this is tough, but I'm going through one of the roughest times of my life right now and needing all the support I can get. I've never been one to feel really comfortable asking for help, as I'm usually the one helping others. That's where my heart is. But now I desperately need assistance.

Here's my story in the last 9 months...

In 2024, after being post menopause, I began bleeding for no reason. I went to my Dr. who said it was probably uterine fibroids, which typically resolve themselves after menopause. Well, this didn't resolve, and over the months got worse. In fact so bad that I became anemic from blood loss. A CT scan was ordered for me and it revealed numerous uterine fibroids, including one larger one in the center. Surgery was suggested. I found a gynocologist that would do it, but the wait time was going to be months. I was feeling weaker and sicker as the days passed. I ended up in the ER one weekend from severe blood loss / anemia. I had to have a blood transfusion to save my life.

Luckily, a family member suggested I immediately see another gynecologist, who could see me the same week and get a surgery scheduled fast. So I did. Finally, on December 11, 2024 I got a full hysterectomy, spent a few days in the hospital and came home. My Dr was an amazing surgeon and did a great job. I thought my troubles were finally over, and I began to heal at home and look forward to going back to work within a few weeks. Then I got the news that the uterine fibroid, the size of a cantaloupe by the time I had surgery, was CANCEROUS. A more aggressive cancer....and they were worried it had spread to other areas of my body.

I had been having right groin pain for awhile, even prior to the hysterectomy, and was referred to a radiology oncologist, as they suspected it had traveled to the lymph nodes. After more scans it showed that my inguinal lymph nodes were hugely enlarged and compromised. I was told that radiation would zap them, or any cancer, and all would be well. So, I started to do some radiation treatments, thinking that seemed like a simple way to remediate the issue and move on with my life. I only completed 5 out of 25 treatments, which also made me super nauseous, before I had other issues happen.

I had a headache going on for days and tripped on a blanket at home, fell backwards and knocked my head really hard on the counter. When I went to my radiation treatment the next day, the Dr noticed a droop on 1 side of my face and immediately wheeled me over to the ER for an MRI of my brain. Thankful she did that. It revealed I had a right frontal lobe brain tumor and lots of inflammation. They immediately scheduled me for brain surgery. The brain tumor was also cancerous, with the same characteristics as the uterine fibroid. I've been home healing for 2 weeks now. That surgery went really well and I got lucky to have one of the best brain surgeons out there. I had no head pain after a couple days and you can't even see where it was done.

March 25th, I had a PET scan to see where all in my body this may have spread to. Follow up appt for that news will be the 27th.

I've been unable to work for months now, have had to apply for disability that I'm not even sure I'll recieve, pretty much exhausted my friends and family's resources to pay my bills, keep a roof over my head and keep me alive, and am now in financial crisis. BIG TIME. From monthly bills to rent to food and basic needs, it has become impossible. I don't know what lies ahead of me on this terrifying road, but I'm in TROUBLE and am asking for any financial assistance possible to help me through this difficult time. I'm going to need some integrative treatments to try to get past all this. Those are expensive. I'll keep things updated on here from time to time, as I find out more, while wondering what will become of me.

I LOVE and appreciate all my friends and family who have come to town, taken care of me and supported me this far. They are the reason I'm still here. Forever grateful for the blessings in my life, even in the midst of the pain. Anyone that feels called to share this GoFundMe with others that may be able to assist is greatly appreciated. I've never needed help like I do now.