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Asking for financial help goes against every ounce of my pride, but my friends have convinced me that I should do this, so here goes.
2020 started out with a bang when I found a lump in my left breast on January 3. After several appointments and tests, I was diagnosed with breast cancer (invasive ductal carcinoma) on February 12. Things since then have been a whirlwind, and every day is a rollercoaster. My prognosis is great, but it will take some time to get to the happy conclusion of this chapter of my life.
Almost as scary as having cancer is seeing the medical bills start to come in. The sticker shock is already real, and that's even before surgery, radiation, and five years of hormone therapy. There are still so many expensive treatments to come. I thankfully have decent insurance, but even with that, the final price tag will be frighteningly high when all is said and done.
My freelance life comes with lots of upsides and great personal satisfaction, but it unfortunately doesn't come with PTO or my old lawyer salary. Every hour or day I take off for treatment and recovery means a loss of wages, and even as I rush to get back to at least a partial work schedule, the paychecks are smaller than usual. The reality is that I just can't afford to have cancer (but then again, who can, really?).
I know most of us don't have a lot of extra cash floating around these days, but if you have some spare change you're willing to donate to my cause, I'd be forever grateful. Someday I'll repay you in hugs, photos, drinks, or maybe even real money if I magically win the lotto or become famous. Until then, I'm just going to fight until I'm cancer-free.
Much love,
Stephanie
2020 started out with a bang when I found a lump in my left breast on January 3. After several appointments and tests, I was diagnosed with breast cancer (invasive ductal carcinoma) on February 12. Things since then have been a whirlwind, and every day is a rollercoaster. My prognosis is great, but it will take some time to get to the happy conclusion of this chapter of my life.
Almost as scary as having cancer is seeing the medical bills start to come in. The sticker shock is already real, and that's even before surgery, radiation, and five years of hormone therapy. There are still so many expensive treatments to come. I thankfully have decent insurance, but even with that, the final price tag will be frighteningly high when all is said and done.
My freelance life comes with lots of upsides and great personal satisfaction, but it unfortunately doesn't come with PTO or my old lawyer salary. Every hour or day I take off for treatment and recovery means a loss of wages, and even as I rush to get back to at least a partial work schedule, the paychecks are smaller than usual. The reality is that I just can't afford to have cancer (but then again, who can, really?).
I know most of us don't have a lot of extra cash floating around these days, but if you have some spare change you're willing to donate to my cause, I'd be forever grateful. Someday I'll repay you in hugs, photos, drinks, or maybe even real money if I magically win the lotto or become famous. Until then, I'm just going to fight until I'm cancer-free.
Much love,
Stephanie