
Support for Joanne Brown
Donation protected
I have breast cancer. I never thought I would be saying that in my life but it happens. And it happens to so many people. Although our stories are sometimes similar, everyone has their own journey.
I neglected to have my yearly mammogram in 2020 due to Covid and I was busy moving to Key West, and in 2021 I didn’t go for the mammogram because I just didn’t think about it in Key West as it was difficult to get any kind of substantial health care on the island. Two days before I left Florida to move to PA, I went quickly for a mammogram in Sarasota as I knew my insurance would be ending. A short time later the hospital in Florida was calling me and asking me to come back in. I explained that I couldn’t as I was now out of the state and didn’t have insurance. They called every week saying they needed another look. This was starting to freak me out so I decided to take the first job that came my way. I had transitioned into the hospitality field from teaching so I applied for hotel jobs immediately. (and subbed in schools :))
I quickly was hired to work for Hilton at the front desk. Even though the pay isn’t great, I knew I needed to work and get signed up for insurance. My mammogram was March 28, 2022. The insurance from Hilton kicked in on July 1, 2022. I scheduled a mammogram and after some difficulty getting the previous scans, I had a mammogram on August 17, 2022. The next day I had a biopsy and on August 19, 2022 they called to tell me it was cancer. At first it was believed that I had one small tumor which put me at Stage 1a. I met with the surgeon and had a partial mastectomy on September 23, 2022. During the surgery they found 2 more tumors and 2 lymph nodes involved. This brought me to Stage 2. Such difficult news to hear and process.
Treatment was discussed and debated. There were factors suggesting chemo might be the best route and factors suggesting radiation was all I needed. I had a very low Onco Score, which is good. Very good. But, my menopause situation was throwing us into this lengthy discussion. I have hormone driven cancer so there was talk of another surgery to help get me in complete menopause and move forward. I knew I needed to keep working no matter what so I could keep my insurance and the bills up to that point were somewhat overwhelming. I didn’t want another surgery so I opted for treatment and medication.
The bills were and are pouring in. My family and friends have been so amazing, no doubt and so generous in so many ways. It’s profound how God works. I ended up in PA, which I thought would never happen, at the time I needed everyone around me. I have an awesome team of doctors. Even though many of the bills have been addressed/ paid I simply cannot manage all of this. I’m currently looking for a better paying job, however I need help now to get back on my feet financially. My treatment bills, all the doctor visits and scans really add up.
Creating this Gofundme is very difficult for me and something I tried to avoid for a long time I spoke to family and friends and I was encouraged to do it. If it is not in your heart, mind and/or situation to donate, prayers are surely welcomed. And if anyone knows of a job in hospitality, I’m open for that!
Thank you
Organizer
Joanne Brown
Organizer
Langhorne, PA