My friend and coworker Cathy is fighting stage 4 cancer while still working full time. She is one of the most generous, thoughtful people you could ever meet. Cathy is a dedicated coworker, mother, grandmother, and even recently, a great grandmother! She is the kind of person who remembers every birthday, every holiday, and makes sure each of us feels valued on the days that matter most. It breaks my heart that she has to keep working through constant sickness, weekly doctor appointments, and long commutes from Middleton to Boise for work and to Meridian for treatment. She deserves rest, comfort, and support. I do not want her to stress about choosing between her health and her income. I want to help make a real difference in her life, but I can’t do it alone. If you’re able, please consider contributing. Cathy has spent years taking care of everyone around her. Now it’s our turn to take care of her.
— Cathy’s Story —
In 2024, I was having numbing and pain in my arm. My doctor referred me to nerve testing which resulted in a diagnosis of severe carpal tunnel. After a year, the pain became worse, and my arm was swelling. After going to Urgent Care for a sinus infection, I had mentioned this to the doctor there and he told me that I needed to see my family doctor right away. I scheduled another appointment with my doctor, and this time he ordered a MRI. The MRI showed a mass in my chest near my subclavian artery (very rare with breast cancer). This would result in other tests being done and confirming the same mass along with bone cancer in my skull. A biopsy confirmed that it was returning metastatic breast cancer from my previous cancer in 2011. Apparently, during my previous chemotherapy and radiation therapy, there were cancer cells left behind.
I now have Stage IV breast cancer with no cure. Although there is no cure, I am taking medication that they hope will prolong my life but there is no guarantee, and they don’t know how long I have as the cancer could spread, and the cells could metastasize to other places as well. Currently, I have cancer in my skull, spine, hips, pelvis, and in my soft tissue surrounding my subclavian artery. I am hanging on to hope for at least a year or perhaps two. I’m still in denial about what is happening to me but at the same time need to get all my end-of-life affairs in order. I do not own my own home (live with my son) for which I am extremely appreciative. I would like to get my medical bills paid as they continue to escalate and get other bills paid as well so my family does not need to worry when the time comes. I would also like to be able to prepay for funeral expenses, so my children do not have that worry. I am sixty-six years old and thought I had at least 15-20 more years ahead, or around the age my parents passed away. I do not want my children to worry about these things as they all have families of their own to help support. In this economy, that is not easy. I am reaching out for help which is something I wouldn’t ordinarily do. Donations will help me focus on my family without the stress of medical and other debt so I can enjoy the time I have left. Your donation, big or small, will make a difference. I am relying on the help and kindness of others and perfect strangers with whom I have not met. If you cannot donate, I understand that as well as these are not easy times in which we live. Sharing my story is also appreciated. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and support.
— Cathy’s Story —
In 2024, I was having numbing and pain in my arm. My doctor referred me to nerve testing which resulted in a diagnosis of severe carpal tunnel. After a year, the pain became worse, and my arm was swelling. After going to Urgent Care for a sinus infection, I had mentioned this to the doctor there and he told me that I needed to see my family doctor right away. I scheduled another appointment with my doctor, and this time he ordered a MRI. The MRI showed a mass in my chest near my subclavian artery (very rare with breast cancer). This would result in other tests being done and confirming the same mass along with bone cancer in my skull. A biopsy confirmed that it was returning metastatic breast cancer from my previous cancer in 2011. Apparently, during my previous chemotherapy and radiation therapy, there were cancer cells left behind.
I now have Stage IV breast cancer with no cure. Although there is no cure, I am taking medication that they hope will prolong my life but there is no guarantee, and they don’t know how long I have as the cancer could spread, and the cells could metastasize to other places as well. Currently, I have cancer in my skull, spine, hips, pelvis, and in my soft tissue surrounding my subclavian artery. I am hanging on to hope for at least a year or perhaps two. I’m still in denial about what is happening to me but at the same time need to get all my end-of-life affairs in order. I do not own my own home (live with my son) for which I am extremely appreciative. I would like to get my medical bills paid as they continue to escalate and get other bills paid as well so my family does not need to worry when the time comes. I would also like to be able to prepay for funeral expenses, so my children do not have that worry. I am sixty-six years old and thought I had at least 15-20 more years ahead, or around the age my parents passed away. I do not want my children to worry about these things as they all have families of their own to help support. In this economy, that is not easy. I am reaching out for help which is something I wouldn’t ordinarily do. Donations will help me focus on my family without the stress of medical and other debt so I can enjoy the time I have left. Your donation, big or small, will make a difference. I am relying on the help and kindness of others and perfect strangers with whom I have not met. If you cannot donate, I understand that as well as these are not easy times in which we live. Sharing my story is also appreciated. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and support.