Staying Afloat through Cancer

Hi my name is Linda.  Over 3 and 1/2 years ago I woke up from a medically induced coma that I had been in for 8 days where they did nine surgeries in order to save my life because of necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease. I don't remember going to the hospital or being told I was going to be put into a coma. I had to fight my way back to health and in that time I've had uterine cancer (and a complete hysterectomy) congestive heart failure, cataract surgery, minor heart surgeryand so many other things - too many to list.

 

In February of this year I fell and broke several ribs.  While CAT scanning my ribs they noticed a tumor which is now 16 cm big (the size of a grapefruit!).  Since this discovery, I have been working with my oncology team and was started on Chemo, but the treatment course has changed and I’m now looking at surgery in late May or early June.  With this surgery they will remove the cancerous tumor and also repair a 10 cm hernia that I’ve been living with. 

 

Through all of these health challenges, I have been living on a meager disability income that doesn’t always allow me to meet my basic needs.  Since they discovered the cancer my need for self-care has greatly increased and, unfortunately, I have had to tap into credit cards - that were already carrying a balance.  The charges were for food and necessities, but they were still credit charges.  I have to acknowledge that I’m falling behind both physically and financially.  And its absolutely overwhelming me. 

 

Ugh… Which brings me to the point of all this.  One of the hardest things for me to do is to ask for help but I have to admit that right now I need help.  My expenses are greater than my disability income and I don't know what else to do now.

 

I’m not used to asking for help and it feels so awkward and embarrassing to do it, but I’ve been encouraged to just ask.   So I’m just going to ask for help.

 

What I’m asking for is $50,000 dollars to help me through this challenging time.  This feels like a lot to ask, but in reality It’s just enough to help ease my way through the recovery process.   Please know, I am happy with anything that I receive to help with my situation and it will be an absolute blessing in my life. 

 

I will be posting updates in the weeks and months to come and will share my recovery story with you.  

I appreciate you taking the time to read this and please share my story if you can.

 Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

Linda Kopper-Wolff

https://https://photos.app.goo.gl/gswpHFQ4xGTLc5CV8