Love & Cancer:

2025 is proving to be a challenge on every level

A few years ago I met a young man online who lives in England - Adam F., we are now engaged to be married. We want to live together, however the cost for immigrating him via lawyers/government is $4k. Not easy funds to come across.

On top of that challenge, in January I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Upon CT scan, it showed it was rather advanced and had spread into lymph nodes, muscle & nerves, extending slightly into my right chest. They figure I've probably had it a few years. $1500 for medical deductible.

The surgery was complicated - instead of just 3 days in the hospital, it turned into two weeks. My right vocal nerve was destroyed by the cancer. My left vocal will come back - hopefully in another few months. During surgery as the cancer had attached itself to more nerves and tissues, I had to also have a tracheostomy. I woke up without a voice. Definitely one of the scariest days in my life. What should have been an easy 3 weeks off turned into 5 of barely functioning.

I have no sensation from my left ear to my shoulder and a few inches down into my chest. It will take months for the nerves to heal and hopefully come back.

Work will not let me work from home, so going into the office with a trach suction machine and nebulizer has been 'fun'.

I will still need radiation therapy (couldn't scrape off some of the cancer from a few nerves) plus zap any microscopic cancer. More doctor appointments, speech therapy. It's been ... hard and it's not over. I do have vacation time to use for all my appointments. Just means I probably won't be taking actual time off.

My landlord also informed me he wants to give my living space to an adult child of his, so I have to move out - moving company will be around $1700 plus first deposit on a place (haven't found one I can afford yet) so that'll probably be another $1500.

My car needs breaks and such, another $1k. Then after all this, will be the cost to actually move Adam to the USA. Probably another $2k? Usually around $1100 for them to fly, so add their 'stuff'.

I'm not including any current debt.

Any help you can give - $1, $5, will be appreciated. I also welcome prayers to any deity to get through this mess. Trying to take one day at a time. My Adam has been more supportive than I could hope for and my X husband has been a wonderful support taking me to and from the hospital.

Thank you for any generosity you are able to provide.

Warmest regards,

Bonnie