Hi Friends! As many of you know, this has been the most grueling and challenging year for me ever. It all began with a simple surgery. From pre-surgery testing to a colonoscopy, to a CT Scan, the final diagnosis was Stage 4 Colon Cancer. My husband and I broke down hearing this and asking the question, why? Why me? 

We found an Oncologist and began the fight. Chemo treatment began once a week. Losing weight, hair falling out, I had very little strength or energy. In addition to having Stage 4 cancer and mounting medical bills, it was discovered that my kidney was blocked. Surgery was required to remove the kidney stone but was ultimately not successful. A Nephrostomy bag had to be inserted into my kidney in order to preserve my kidney.  

Unable to work, my husband being on disability, our income dropped drastically. I have been the sole breadwinner in the family. Medical bills started flowing in from my Home Depot Blue Cross insurance. Medicare helped once it kicked in, but we continue paying high co-pays and expensive medications/supplies. Wound care is not covered by my insurance. So, we are left to pay out-of-pocket for dressings, special bandages, and bio pads. To top it all off, our rent was increasing. It is hard enough to go through treatment, but the added burden of trying to figure out how we are going to pay for bills or rent is simply overwhelming. We are a family living one day at a time trying to survive.

Two months into chemotherapy treatment, my fear doubled as the Covid-19 pandemic hit. What the heck God?! All I could do is cry out. Help me, God!  As a 70-year-old, high-risk person with a low immune system, I am afraid of going outside. I feel like the boy in a bubble, trying to protect myself from a world that is so dangerous. Every night I pray for the victims of Covid-19! We pray we all get through the changes physically, mentally, and emotionally. Most importantly, I pray for God to use my experience so I can help others again.  I have spent my life doing this and it is what I miss most.

I recently completed my last infusion, which left me with aching bones and immense pain all day and night. This journey has left me with great physical and emotional pain. Not being able to be around friends and family, to even give my children a hug, has been difficult. But, through it all, I am grateful to all the loving people who stepped up and made soup and meals for me. I love my husband's heart for trying to cook, but he never learned without me.

Through all of this, this is why I am reaching out to you. Any financial help to ease our burden would be greatly appreciated. Your support and help would allow us to move on from this tremendous financial hardship. We know many of you are going through your own personal struggles, so if we do not get any help from you financially, that is ok. It is the walk that we must walk. God has not brought me this far to drop me on my head. Those who have walked before me are my spirit guide. You just must keep on holding on to your faith.

My mantra is the Serenity Prayer. 

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.”

Be safe & stay healthy.  Much love….Linda and our family.