Hi, my name is Karen Brown. In 2021, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called neuroendocrine, which has metastasized from my mesentery (gastrointestinal) to the lymph nodes in my neck, chest, and abdomen, my lung, liver, and bones. Incidentally, this is the same rare cancer that Steve Jobs and Aretha Franklin had. Despite treatment, the cancer is spreading, so a type of radiation therapy known as PRRT will be next.

My primary side effects are related to a condition known as carcinoid syndrome and they include facial flushing, severe diarrhea, and extreme fatigue. I started experiencing them in 2017, but they started gradually, so I excused them away for a few years until things got really bad and I was forced to see a doctor.

Additionally, I was diagnosed in 2023 with severe cervical spinal stenosis, a prolapsed cervical intervertebral disc, and lumbar spondylosis. On December 31, 2024, I had cervical spinal fusion (C3-7). That was all due to the generosity of friends and acquaintances who donated last year to this campaign, and I am extremely grateful for all the support thus far.

Before the surgery, I had pain if I used my arms and/or hands in any kind of repetitive action such as typing at a keyboard, food prep (chopping vegetables), and/or washing and drying dishes.

Since the surgery, my pain is now constant and doing any kind of repetitive task with my hands or arms just makes my already existing pain worse. I am scheduled to have trigger point injections next week to see if that brings any relief.

I was also diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in March 2023, which is when my employer fired me due to my excessive absences. I worked from home in a call center job, so I had to type at a computer keyboard all day and I just couldn't do it anymore.

I applied for disability in April 2023 and was initially denied. I finally had a (phone) hearing with a judge on March 27, 2025. My understanding is that it will take at least a few months before I will find out the judge's ruling. I should also mention I'm 61 and a half; even if I was healthy and could work without restrictions or limitations, it would take a miracle for me to get an interview let alone be hired. But most days, I can barely get out of bed. I take prescription pain meds (opioids) 3 times a day, so I tend to sleep a lot.

Meanwhile, since I've had no income for 2 years, I lost my home (had to move out or face eviction), and was forced to move to a different state to live with my sister and brother-in-law, who are both disabled and living on Social Security. They were struggling to get by even before taking me in. Since September 2023, I basically reside in their living room on their couch.

So I'm seeking help for my medical and dental bills (I have a molar that has disintegrated halfway and needs extraction asap) as well as my other living expenses while I await my fate at the hands of the SSA.

Right now, all the worldly possessions I have left are in a 6- by 6-foot storage unit that is about to go to auction unless I can come up with $500 in past months' rent and fees. I feel I've done a pretty good job of dealing with all the hardships that have hit me in the past 3-4 years; I've tried to stay positive for the most part. During that time, in addition to losing my car, my job, my home, most of my furniture, and being hit with multiple medical whammies, I've also unexpectedly lost two very dear family members and my beloved cat. But now, the thought of losing what's left of my worldly possessions - especially after all the time, cost, and effort it took for me and my family to pack my things, load a trailer, haul it over 600 miles to a different state, unload everything, put it into storage, and manage to come up the storage rent for over a year, only to get behind a few months and lose it all - it's really more than I can handle at this point. I feel like it's the straw that's going to break this camel's back.

So if you have it in your heart to contribute a dollar, thank you. If you can just pray for me or send positive thoughts my way, thank you. And if you could please share this, thank you. I am so very thankful and grateful for you all!