Single Mom, Army Vet, Battling Stage 4 Cancer

Hello,

Thank you for reading this. Rachel is a single mom, military Veteran and is currently a public servant working as an Administrative Assistant II for the San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Back in 2020, Rachel was working for the court full time, as well as working a part time night job, getting a small business going, and attempting to finish her degree, while also juggling the demands of being a single mother, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time, Rachel went through a year of aggressive treatment including a bilateral mastectomy, chemo and radiation. After that first battle, Rachel began a road to recovery while transitioning to a less invasive course of treatment projected to last the next 5 - 10 years.

On October 3rd, Rachel went to the ER with severe back pain. A fractured lower vertebra, what was thought to be because of her cancer treatment, was actually a result of cancer, again, but this time throughout her body.

At the end of October 2023, Rachel was officially diagnosed with cancer again, this time categorized Stage 4. The cancer has metastasized to her bones (skull, spine, pelvis, shoulders, shoulder blades, knees, ribs), lymphatic system, her lungs, and the pleural space around her lungs. There are also masses all over the chest wall, sternum, spine, and pelvis. On November 1, she had a thoracentesis, 1.2 liters of fluid was drained from her lung space, and the very next day, Rachel began chemotherapy.

Completely blindsided, Rachel is now having to handle everything all at once, mentally dealing with and processing this devastating information, physically getting through each day is a challenge, paperwork is overwhelming personally, and professionally. The need to miss work to obtain treatment is paramount, but also troublesome because of the loss of income. Unforeseen bills are piling up, as well as new expenses relating to this new condition. The ability to make difficult life decisions is daunting and currently, Rachel is not working.

Understanding it is a difficult time for us all, if you could find it in your heart to help Rachel at this difficult time, it would really make a difference. Rachel is so loved by everyone; we just want to help her get through this. Thank you for reading this and thank you for blessing her and her daughter with your kindness. Any donation will help carry Rachel and her family through this challenging time. Thank you for your time and consideration.