Smeejay's Skin Cancer Fund

This may well be the most important thing I have ever asked, and yet it may be the most difficult as well. A couple of months ago, when I made my way back up to Cocoa Beach to start of series of skin cancer procedures, I believed that it would be for a matter of weeks. Now I've come to discover that it will be for a series of months. The last time I needed to have this many procedures done two decades ago, the doctors at Jackson Memorial/ UM Teaching Hospital knocked them out in a matter of weeks. Sometimes doing a few a day, until they were all eradicated and left me to heal over the following weeks. This time, under the ACA, the doctor's protocol is to space them out and let them heal between surgeries. I was simply not prepared for this.

When I came up here four years ago, to care for Mom during the last two years of her life, I often considered doing these surgeries but just could not ask a 94 year old woman to care for me as I convalesced. After Mom's passing I did the only thing that I knew to do, and that was to get back to work. I started heading down to Miami for weeks at a time to take gigs and to keep financially afloat. But in the end, I have no choice but to address this cancer.

I currently have a half dollar sized hole on my forehead with my skull exposed, where a squamous cell tumor was removed last month. Last week I had 16 stitches removed from my back, where there was a large basel cell carcinoma removed. The next removal from my back is scheduled the 2nd week of September, along with a biopsy on another on my back. Two more on my chest and my body work should be completed. Then there are the ones on my left eyelid. These will very likely seriously alter my appearance, as removals on the eyelash line of an eyelid have a great risk of debilitation. These are the ones that really scare me. Ten years ago I had a skin cancer metastisize that led to a tumor on one of my tow salivary glands, requiring it's removal with 6 weeks of radiation that came with a weight loss of 30 pounds. With a genetic predisposition to these aggressive skin cancers, the doctors have warned me not to put these procedures off.

I simply must reach out now for help, from my friends. I am just tapped out, and this is make or break for me. Many I know are no more well off than I, so it is with great thought and deliberation that I undergo this process of asking for your help. If you are unable to assist me now, please do not feel bad. Knowing that I am in your prayers, means the world to me. But if you can possibly help it would change everything for me. Even if it's what you may consider to be a small amount, together with other's donations will certainly add up. My goal is to keep my utilities paid, the lights on and groceries in my fridge, during this time. This medical work will take many months, so maybe next week or next month you can help. I'm in this for the long run, and a full healing, and I am grateful for any kindness you can offer. I have to get these procedures behind me, so that I can get back to South Florida and the career that I so love. Thank you.