Struggling with Cancer Treatments

Hello everyone and thank you for being here. I just want to say even if you don't donate, I would like for you to know my story.

I am 45 years old, active, and have had a healthy diet for many years. One year ago, I was diagnosed with T-cell LGL Blood Cancer that is not curable but can only slow the symptoms down with treatments. This is rare for someone my age. This diagnosis was discovered through routine blood work with no symptoms present. I have been experiencing extreme fatigue, constant nausea, and now I'm allergic to most foods. This has really turned our life upside-down.

It seems like there is not much assistance, just a few one-time grants and such. Disability? Well, the government feels I'm still of working-class age regardless of my autoimmune condition, which makes me highly susceptible to illness and infection. As the head of our home, taking care of my wife who is disabled with many health issues and my mother, now an aging parent, we as a family were doing okay before my diagnosis. We ended up moving to Arizona for better health care, which we are receiving.

I have come to find out many businesses don't want to hire someone with cancer due to many doctor's appointments and constantly having to take time off, making me unreliable as an employee in their eyes. It's so sad to be judged in this way. We had hopes of getting into the Mayo Clinic; unfortunately, they wanted $5k up front and for us to pay for each visit's actual cost. No way that could happen. So, we are seeing a doctor in a local cancer center. All the tests, co-pays, and ER visits due to my immune system being nonexistent, plus mortgage and utilities—we don't know how much longer we can keep up. Yes, we have insurance, but we all know how broken our health care system is.

My current doctor is amazing and very knowledgeable and is trying to give me the best life possible before chemo. Once I'm on chemo, I will be on it until I pass in 4-5 years. I do deliver groceries on my good days, but that is barely keeping the lights on. I never thought I would be asking for help as I was the one to help others, so I am embarrassed to even be here. Thanks for listening and caring.