Three weeks ago, after what I thought would be a routine mammogram, I received news that turned my world upside down. A lump that had always been considered benign had actually metastasized into stage 2A breast cancer. Life has thrown me more than a few curveballs lately, but I had started to believe things were finally looking up. In the past six months, I bought a house—well, not quite a house yet, but I’m making it into a home little by little. My job has felt uncertain with the government shutdown looming, and I’ve gone through a divorce, though I’m grateful my ex and I are still on good terms. Who gets that lucky in a divorce? My friends have been a constant source of encouragement as I navigate this unfamiliar territory, and my life partner has been working tirelessly on the house and facing this new challenge with me. His sense of humor keeps me laughing, even on the hardest days. My oldest son, though far away, has shared his sympathy, and my youngest son and his wife are always ready to help however they can.

So why GoFundMe? My co-workers weren’t exaggerating when they said our health insurance leaves much to be desired. I haven’t even started the surgical process, chemo, or radiation yet—just a series of medical appointments and procedures leading up to the big day. The timing couldn’t be worse, as there’s a chance my treatment will cross over into two deductible periods. The expenses are piling up faster than I can keep track of, and it’s honestly terrifying every time I open a new envelope. I’m reaching out in hopes that friends, family, loved ones, and even acquaintances will come together to help me through this. Your support would mean the world to me as I face this fight.