SJC Battling Cancer and the Costs to Survive

Sandy

Jenn

Charlie

Hello My Name is Paul.

I am here to tell you a Story. The Story begins a long time ago but recent events have brought a family closer. The fight they have coming can not be put into words.

Let me start by giving you some back ground.

20 Years ago Sandy (Picture 1), was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She at that time had to have one of her breasts removed, endure several treatments of chemo therapy, and medication through out the rest of her life. If you ever have or get the chance to meet this woman you will understand that we all should take a part of her with us. She is an amazing wife, an amazing mother, an amazing grandmother, and an amazing friend. She will bend over backwards for anyone she meets and anyone she knows. She uses all of her time caring for people, whether its spending time with her grand kids, helping to make someone feel more special than they did minutes before entering the beauty shop where Sandy does hair, helping out at the spring games for special olympics, tending her garden so that her family has fresh veggies (like she did growing up), supporting her friends by cheering them on at events, cleaning houses for friends that need help doing so, and just being there whenever she is needed no questions asked.

Sandy has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer once again. It has been a roller coaster so far. Not knowing the plan of attack. Then going to appointments that ease the stress stating that it will not be to bad. Take a couple meds, go through some radiation treatments, and then recover. Only then to get a call the next day about how insurance will only pay for a portion of the medication she needs to fight. Stating that the percent that will be owed out of pocket is more than 2 or 3 house payments a month. The emotional roller coaster that puts a person on is something I can not describe to you.

I want to share the reason I am showing a Picture of the Dog Charlie (Picture 3). Charlie is 4 and a half years old and for 4 years has been one of the greatest dogs ever to the family. A month ago she had lumps removed from her skin that turned out to be cancerous. The vet and other experts said they got it all. However since then she has developed more lumps, a hyper thyroid and liver problems. The food and meds the dog has to take is a jaw dropping amount amount of money. Like any of you with dogs they are a part of your family and you will do anything for family. So she has special food everyday and meds. The hope was that she would start to get better and better. However she has declined and continues to. This dog I speak of is Sandy's granddaughters dog. So she says. In reality Charlie is Sandy's dog. Goes almost everywhere with her. Is there guarding the house when Sandy comes home from being a hair stylist everyday. The bond they have is unique and is something special. So at a time when Sandy is stressed and down because of her situation she only still thinks about Charlie. This portion of the story only goes to show you the strength of this woman's heart. Everything before her.

The final story I want to share with you is of Jenn (Picture 2). This remarkable lady has been through a lot in her life. I know we all have. But she does it all with a smile and rocks everyday being a nurse taking care of children. Jenn came in to this family a few years ago and loved them from day one. She has and will do anything for them. She cares so deeply for them. They are lucky to have her in their lives.

Remember a year ago when a lot of us were at home because of covid, well she was not. She was nursing at the clinic she works at. Seeing sick kids while all suited up looking like something from the movie outbreak, to doing checks for covid, to helping out in other areas of the hospital her clinic is a part of. To then come home and make dinner and just try and relax. That alone is stress enough for anyone. But not her she did it day in and day out with a smile. Well you could not see the smile because of the mask. LOL. She worried everyday about the family that she came into and her own children and family. Everyday making sure they were okay and safe. The true definition of a nurse within a nurse and a woman with a very large kind heart. Jenn cares more about others than she does herself. She is a great mother, daughter, grandmother, and friend. Anyone is lucky to know here and even luckier if they are apart of her life. Jenn was very recently diagnosed with breast cancer as well. She has not had her appointments yet but has a good idea as to what the process will be. She is in strong spirits with it all but again worries about others more than she does about her own situation. No matter what the process or the plan of attack to fight Jenn's Breast cancer. Jenn will need to deal with a lot in the coming months. Whether that is being off work, or needing help around the house, or as with Sandy wondering how to afford the medication if prescribed to her.

So that is the family I wanted to tell you about. The odds of 3 members and yes I am including Charlie being diagnosed with cancer in a month has to be some really crazy odds. But this family is going to be going through some things I hope none of you ever have to endure. Their stress and all around will gets tested daily. Time will be taken, mental and physical aspects with be tested, but the fight never the less begins.

I am starting this page because of the cost to survive when it comes to cancer. How can people afford to survive cancer if they have to go into poverty or spend their life savings to survive the cost that it takes to move on from cancer. But that still will not be enough, as is the case for most families that go through a fight with cancer. This family is strong. But even the strong need help and support. I am here telling you their story and opening up another avenue of support for them. Donations will go towards the cost of medication and other financial support needed to survive cancer.

We appreciate you all and thank you as well. Take care, be safe, and remember to always keep your family close. You never know what will come up around the next turn.

Thanks

Paul