Sandy's Battle Against Lung Cancer

As few people may already know, it has been a rough couple of months for my mom. Back in October, she suffered from what we thought to be a heart attack. As it turns out, she had what was called Takotsubo or "Broken Heart Syndrome"...a condition in which a portion if the heart has been paralyzed due to one too many shocks of adrenaline caused by stress. The good news was that her heart was capable of healing itself provided she could lessen her stress levels (because life so often let's us control those things)...but in November she had another episode that landed her in the ER. This particular incident turned out to be a blessing in disguise. You see, on this visit, they decided to take a chest xray.....an xray on which they found a "spot" on her lung. My mom's family history is riddled with cancer diagnosis, including both of her parents who died from the disease. Her father's in particular being lung cancer.
So thus began our journey of fighting with insurance and beating down doctors doors in an effort to be as proactive as possible. After MONTHS of waiting... of missed work due to countless doctors appointments, of anxiety and stress....Yesterday, we finally got the confirmation...lung adenocarcinoma. Cancer....the word so many people I love have come to fear. The next step is an invasive surgery that will involve the removal of the upper lobe of her lung. The surgery will require a minimum of 6 weeks recovery time in which she will not be able to use her right side....then chemo and possibly radiation. As if the diagnosis and the surgery weren't scary enough...there is now the added stress of her having no income during those long and arduous weeks. There is no part time disability to be had...we can't even seem to get her FMLA approved. So here we are...
I have never been one to ask for charity, but our options are exhausted...and I have no choice but to reach out to you, to anyone who has been touched by this fear. Who knows this struggle and might be able to find it in their hearts to help...even by just a little bit. I can't cure my mom...but I can work to try and lessen some of the financial burden that she is carrying during this time so that she can try and focus her strength and energy on the battle that lies before her.

Thank you...