Help Paula Fight Lymphoma

January 4th, 2023 was my sister Paula's 30th birthday. She had had a cough for several months and finally decided to stop into an urgent care clinic to get checked out. The nurse was puzzled when the x-ray showed something like a cloud all around her heart and lungs. She was sent to the ER.

After spending the rest of her birthday and into the night waiting in the lobby of the ER, she was told that the "cloud" was actually an 18cm tumor. The cough was the result of its getting big enough to press on her lungs and heart. Paula's a pretty small person. 18 cm (7 inches) is basically the entire width of her chest. She was immediately moved into a hospital room where she later found out that the tumor was malignant, and she was diagnosed with Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

As I write this (Jan 26th), Paula has been in the hospital about 12 days of the last 22, and has is just finishing up her first round of chemo. She has five more rounds to go, spaced apart by one month each. Her application for Medicaid has been in for several weeks, but hasn't come through yet. She'll have to stay in the hospital until that happens As you can imagine, the bills are piling up quickly.

Paula is in good spirits, and she is ready to face the difficulties the next months will bring. Doctors are very optimistic that the chemotherapy will shrink the tumor enough that there won't be any need for surgery. Fortunately, the cancer hasn't spread to any other part of her body. The chemo and other complications have been really difficult, but she's staying positive.

If you're able, please help our family keep Paula focused on staying healthy, and not on how the bills are going to get paid when all is said and done. Donate here on Gofundme, or to my mom, Carol's Venmo account, set up specifically to receive donations for Paula's medical bills. Or you can Venmo or CashApp Paula directly, too: she's not working at this time, but still has her normal bills to pay.

Thank you for your love and support for us during this time!

Carol's Venmo: Carol-Buterbaugh

Paula's Venmo: @Paula-Buterbaugh

Paula's CashApp: $Buterbaughpaula