Hi everyone. If you don’t know me, my name is Marissa and I am 35. I am married and have a 14 year old son, Xane and a 10 year old daughter, Allanah. In July of 2025, I discovered a suspicious lump on my breast. Instantly I was terrified but attempted to remain calm but it was all I could think about. Fortunately, I decided to go have it looked at by a specialist. The exam took about 5 seconds and the suspected diagnosis was clear with the doctors look towards the nurse. Confirmed at this point, I couldn’t use denial as my safety any longer. I sat in my car alone and fought as all the emotions overwhelmed me. I felt helpless and had little hope. As the days went things happened very quickly and some of my fears were eased as I learned what to possibly expect. A plan for action to fix this was established and put into motion. My wonderful friends and family covered me in love and support and I am blessed and grateful for everyone of you! I had surgery for my port and started treatment and I can’t pretend that it was easy but I was doing much better than normal. All news up to this point has been great given the situation and I was grateful. In the very beginning I established 1 goal. 1 BIG goal to push for. My reasoning for this goal is a long story and irrelevant but it’s important to understand the significance of it. Many of you heard me say it. I said I was determined to not allow this to affect my work. I would have to miss work the day of my treatment and I couldn’t change that. But the other days I vowed to show up there every morning to unlock the door no matter what and I will stay as long as I possibly can. My happiness comes from me being able to provide for my husband and children. Everyone knows me for my work ethic and devotion to my work. After my very first treatment, I went to work right after to get everything straightened back out for the day. After 10 weeks of treatment, I had only missed the day of my surgery and the days of my treatment. I have only gone home in the afternoon 3 times in these 10 weeks. I get up in the morning and fight through all the pain and fear. I refuse to let it stop me. This is 6 months I have to fight through. I can do it. As time went on and I survived, I had the success of my determination to help me through as it got harder. A large portion was behind me successfully and I felt so much pride. I am doing it and I’m kicking butt too. Everyone comments on how well I’m doing and how strong I am. I need and use that. Just as I start to see the light at the end of the tunnel I am truly blind sided.

Now, understand I have debated not sharing this portion but I feel if he doesn’t mind treating me this way he will not mind me telling it in my story so everyone can understand the reasoning for my plea for help.

My boss came to me on a Friday afternoon and just almost emotionless tells me “I’m unfit for my position and to report to the other store on Monday morning at 8 and he’ll be in at 10 to discuss the change and that my pay will change and told me I could go home for the day.” What just happened? I stressed all weekend. What is going to happen? Chemo therapy is extremely hard on your heart and I know he knows this. I thought there’s no way this could be a bad thing but I couldn’t understand that he would put me under that kind of stress especially given my situation. There’s no way he’s going to leave me to stress the uncertainty of my future all weekend. Was I going to be fired? “What?” I said over and over. Well Monday was so uncomfortable but I fought off the worry and pretended it hadn’t won. No answer by end of day Monday. The week goes on and I ask and he tells me ”He’s been busy.” “Ok” I say. What other option do I have? Finally, Friday afternoon I have to know. He acts upset that I’m asking what’s going to happen to me and in a frustrated tone as if I had done something wrong and explains with only minimal information that basically I was going to have my commission taken away and was going to an hourly rate. Which results in $3,000 per month loss in wages. Again, I get to go home on Friday for the weekend absolutely crushed. I can’t make it on this and I’m doing the same work I was before and I had my job taken from me for missing one day a week that I would happily trade for being able to go to work. Where is that commission money going to go, to him, to the other workers doing the same job as me but still get it? Am I being punished for this? I can’t understand.

I create this account because I’m actually left helpless and need your help. I’ve always continued to climb. But I can’t now. No one will hire me with cancer and going through chemo. I can’t go anywhere. I can’t even go to work and survive now and I can’t leave because I need insurance. My only option at this point is your help and I’m ashamed to ask. I always say someone needs it more than me and I figure out a way but there is no way this time. I understand if you can’t help. I understand it’s hard for everyone. But if you can help, please help.