Rebuilding After Cancer and Loss

My name is Fina, I’m a 20 year old college student, and I’m reaching out for support as I work to rebuild my life after a series of overwhelming challenges. In February of last year, I was diagnosed with cancer after an ER visit for what was originally a combination of strep and tonsillitis. This led to a diagnosis of anemia, pre-diabetes, and the discovery of said cancer. Without reliable transportation or much assistance, my treatment involved emergency room visits, strict diets, heavy supplements, and rounds of medication. The process left me exhausted, severely underweight, immunocompromised, and unable to use my singing voice and at times I lost my speaking voice. I lost 40 pounds, struggled with constant nausea, and endured severe hair loss. I ended up in the ER again in the fall with strep again which led to heavier doses of antibiotics and steroids including one I was allergic to leading to anaphylactic shock which damaged my lungs and immune system further. I also received an unwanted medication which led to heart problems including slight strokes. I also contracted norovirus which ended up completely destroying my immune system and led to adrenal failure. Then again in January I got strep and went through more rounds of IV medication this time causing nerve pain and neurological side effects. Even now, I’m working hard to regain my strength and manage the lingering side effects.

On top of my health struggles, I suffered a miscarriage in the fall of 2024 the same day I lost my grandfather. I underwent two successive violent rapes from a roommate’s one night stand, further damage from a second rape barely weeks later, and endured extreme abuse at the hands of the women I lived with during this time, including psychological, mental, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse. These rapes were the 4th in my life after undergoing serial sexual abuse for two years which resulted in a prior pregnancy and miscarriage. I am currently recovering from that very rough pregnancy and miscarriage in which I received no medical care for my pregnancy due to lack of financial resources. I paused my medical treatment for my cancer to hide my pregnancy out of fear and extreme mental pain and only caused more physical damage. I am (somewhat) coping with the stress of that situation but it’s been a really long road. I’ve since moved to a protected address to stay safe and be closer to my fiancé, M. I am otherwise away from my family and have no other support system. The financial strain and psychological burden has been immense—I’m still facing medical bills, a loan I had to take out when I couldn’t work, and ongoing costs for medication, food, and transportation. I am also a current college student and my degree has been a big dream for me and something I’ve been fighting for.

Asking for help is the last thing I ever wanted to do, but I’m in survival mode and out of options. Your support would mean the world to me, helping me cover essential expenses and giving me a chance to heal and move forward. Money raised will go toward covering costs for my hospital bills and loan payments as well as the next couple months of transportation and medical expenses. I truly and sincerely appreciate each and every one of you who takes the time to read my story and offer support. I understand my story may be hard for some people and unbelievable for others. For this I ask for at least your prayers. Thank you and God bless.