Saving for surgery
Donation protected
Dear Friends and Family,
As many of you know I have been on an incredibly tough journey the last year and a half trying to heal my body from a stage 3 rectal cancer tumor. In recent doctors visits I have learned that my tumor has grown. It’s extremely slow growing but the fact is that it IS growing. I’ve thought about this decision everyday since I was diagnosed and I’ve come to a fork in the road. I need to have surgery. I’m currently in a position where I can have a surgery and my chances of being put back together are still high. By removing my tumor my chances of cure increases dramatically. I’m still working on the details with my surgeon but I’m hoping to have the procedure done before the end of the year. The sooner the better.
I’m creating this fundraiser because this surgery will be no walk in the park. I’ve spoken with another patient who has done what I’m signing up to do and they have given me a glimps of the grim reality that I will be facing. In short, I’m looking at a week of recovery in the hospital, a month of being bed ridden at home and several challenging months following that. Working will not be an option for me during that time. For the first 4-6 weeks I won’t even be able to do my own laundry or drive a car. To go through with this surgery I’m going to need A LOT of financial assistance as well as physical. I’m going to need to find a way to pay my rent, bills and medical needs. I’m going to need people to show up for me and stay with me at home and help me with daily living for that first 4-6 weeks.
The money im trying to raise here is to make sure I can pay rent stress free for 6 months. With out this I will be unable to have this surgery. As mentioned I will also need to find ways to pay my bills and continue purchasing the medical supplies that I’m already using and will continue to need.
Things that you can do to help:
Donate to this fundraiser
Share my story and encourage others to donate. This is the number one way to make this all possible for me.
Donate your time
I will be needing people to come stay with me in California and look after me during that post surgery 4-6 weeks. If you have interest in helping with this please contact me directly to discuss what the details are. If you can’t donate your time to this perhaps you have air miles that can be used to help someone else fly to California.
Subscribe to one of my needs
I’ve had an ongoing amazon list of many of my medical supplies. Most of these I need to have replenished every month to 2 months. If you would like to subscribe to a specific product, meaning you would take responsibility for purchasing it each month. You could also make arrangements to donate a set dollar amount each month towards this $5, $10, $20.... any amount adds up and would help take much stress off of me trying to figure out how to keep me moving. I’m also going to lump my bills into this. Not working I have no idea how my phone, car insurance etc. will be taken care of. If you’re interested in this please contact me directly to chat about details.
Help feed me
I’m currently enrolled in California’s food stamp program and while it helps it doesn’t get me through each month. I do most of my shopping at Whole Foods as they can provide me with the selection of produce that I use during every season and usually the prices they have on organic beats the prices of most other grocery stores organic sections. An option to help here would be to purchase gift cards.
Grant research
Previsouly I have not qualified for help through grants specifically to help with cancer patients. Being active in a treatment or in post standard of care treatment is a requirement for most grants. Now choosing surgery through a cancer center may change my eligibility and help me get approved for assistance with medical expenses, housing, bills etc. I have a lot on my plate and would love help looking back into these things. I’m working with one of my nurses to get a list of resources to look into and get that ball rolling. If you think you’d like to help with this please contact me directly.
Moral support and Organization
I know I can reach my goals with your help and have this surgery by the end of the year. I have a lot to accomplish though. I could use help keeping things organized. Example, if someone wants to agree to keeping track of the amazon list and what people are purchasing and what I’m going to need still and also helping to raise awareness to my community of the need, that would be a huge help. I’d like to ask a few people to come forward and help brainstorm how to get my story out there. I know I need more help than just sharing this on Facebook. I know I can’t do this on my own and if you want to help but can’t afford to financially this would be an amazing way to contribute to me getting this surgery.
This is a really big step for me and honestly, I’m scared. I know this is the best decision for me and despite my fear I have to go through with it. I need all the support I can get! Especially emotional and spiritual encouragement. The biggest way you can do this is by texting me your love. My head is spinning right now and getting those sweet text give me that boost of endorphins I need to stay grounded, keep my chin up and my gears moving forward.
Im asking for a lot and I’m asking with a tone of urgency. The sooner I can get all of this stuff figured out the sooner I can have the surgery. The surgery is not possible with out your help. I’ve been living in desperation for awhile now and I’m ready to move forward into living with calm confidence. Please help me reach my goals!!
As many of you know I have been on an incredibly tough journey the last year and a half trying to heal my body from a stage 3 rectal cancer tumor. In recent doctors visits I have learned that my tumor has grown. It’s extremely slow growing but the fact is that it IS growing. I’ve thought about this decision everyday since I was diagnosed and I’ve come to a fork in the road. I need to have surgery. I’m currently in a position where I can have a surgery and my chances of being put back together are still high. By removing my tumor my chances of cure increases dramatically. I’m still working on the details with my surgeon but I’m hoping to have the procedure done before the end of the year. The sooner the better.
I’m creating this fundraiser because this surgery will be no walk in the park. I’ve spoken with another patient who has done what I’m signing up to do and they have given me a glimps of the grim reality that I will be facing. In short, I’m looking at a week of recovery in the hospital, a month of being bed ridden at home and several challenging months following that. Working will not be an option for me during that time. For the first 4-6 weeks I won’t even be able to do my own laundry or drive a car. To go through with this surgery I’m going to need A LOT of financial assistance as well as physical. I’m going to need to find a way to pay my rent, bills and medical needs. I’m going to need people to show up for me and stay with me at home and help me with daily living for that first 4-6 weeks.
The money im trying to raise here is to make sure I can pay rent stress free for 6 months. With out this I will be unable to have this surgery. As mentioned I will also need to find ways to pay my bills and continue purchasing the medical supplies that I’m already using and will continue to need.
Things that you can do to help:
Donate to this fundraiser
Share my story and encourage others to donate. This is the number one way to make this all possible for me.
Donate your time
I will be needing people to come stay with me in California and look after me during that post surgery 4-6 weeks. If you have interest in helping with this please contact me directly to discuss what the details are. If you can’t donate your time to this perhaps you have air miles that can be used to help someone else fly to California.
Subscribe to one of my needs
I’ve had an ongoing amazon list of many of my medical supplies. Most of these I need to have replenished every month to 2 months. If you would like to subscribe to a specific product, meaning you would take responsibility for purchasing it each month. You could also make arrangements to donate a set dollar amount each month towards this $5, $10, $20.... any amount adds up and would help take much stress off of me trying to figure out how to keep me moving. I’m also going to lump my bills into this. Not working I have no idea how my phone, car insurance etc. will be taken care of. If you’re interested in this please contact me directly to chat about details.
Help feed me
I’m currently enrolled in California’s food stamp program and while it helps it doesn’t get me through each month. I do most of my shopping at Whole Foods as they can provide me with the selection of produce that I use during every season and usually the prices they have on organic beats the prices of most other grocery stores organic sections. An option to help here would be to purchase gift cards.
Grant research
Previsouly I have not qualified for help through grants specifically to help with cancer patients. Being active in a treatment or in post standard of care treatment is a requirement for most grants. Now choosing surgery through a cancer center may change my eligibility and help me get approved for assistance with medical expenses, housing, bills etc. I have a lot on my plate and would love help looking back into these things. I’m working with one of my nurses to get a list of resources to look into and get that ball rolling. If you think you’d like to help with this please contact me directly.
Moral support and Organization
I know I can reach my goals with your help and have this surgery by the end of the year. I have a lot to accomplish though. I could use help keeping things organized. Example, if someone wants to agree to keeping track of the amazon list and what people are purchasing and what I’m going to need still and also helping to raise awareness to my community of the need, that would be a huge help. I’d like to ask a few people to come forward and help brainstorm how to get my story out there. I know I need more help than just sharing this on Facebook. I know I can’t do this on my own and if you want to help but can’t afford to financially this would be an amazing way to contribute to me getting this surgery.
This is a really big step for me and honestly, I’m scared. I know this is the best decision for me and despite my fear I have to go through with it. I need all the support I can get! Especially emotional and spiritual encouragement. The biggest way you can do this is by texting me your love. My head is spinning right now and getting those sweet text give me that boost of endorphins I need to stay grounded, keep my chin up and my gears moving forward.
Im asking for a lot and I’m asking with a tone of urgency. The sooner I can get all of this stuff figured out the sooner I can have the surgery. The surgery is not possible with out your help. I’ve been living in desperation for awhile now and I’m ready to move forward into living with calm confidence. Please help me reach my goals!!
Organizer
Megan Hager
Organizer
Lower Lake, CA
