I suppose one's story is worth a thousand words but I don't even know where to begin. Mmm.

Earlier this year, my twin sister was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Luckily it was determined to be stage 1 - thank God because she has an 8 year old gremlin and a severely epileptic husband at home - and she was scheduled for a complete hysterectomy today 3/3.

I suppose the hospital didn't have her or her husbands' current contact information on file and had been trying to get ahold of her since January to discuss the out of pocket cost. 50% was due before she could even check in for surgery. So we sat in aconsult cubicle at 6am, trying to figure out where $556 is going to come from and STAT..

My sister made a call to mom and of course she doesn't have that kind of money. None of us have money. But I put my card down and accepted I'd be quite overdrawn and would not be able to pay the remainder of my own bills. But I've always figured things out. Always treading water. My sister needs this surgery. She needs to be around for her daughter. Perhaps my boyfriend and I could review my finances and move things around. I can sell some things. I may swallow water but I'd keep fighting against the current.

Then mom sent the money. I know she doesn't have it. I know she would be foregoing paying her own bills. But I suppose that is what a mother does. Sacrifices herself. She raised three kids on her own while navigating a difficult mental illness. We never had money. She did the best she could, and we made it to adulthood. Perhaps by the skin of our teeth.

Last June, my sister had a transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke) and today she had her uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries removed to prevent the cancer from spreading. She wanted another child one day. But she must continue to live for the one she's already raised for the past 8 years.

My sister and I, despite not having the best of anything in our childhoods, live humbly and softly as we approach our 30th year of life. We are but humans who have simply tried to do our best. But I must ask for help now. Help to not just pay back the $556 our mother but to help my sister pay the remaining $556.22. Luckily, the hospital set her up with a payment plan at $50 a month for that.. but it is not including the surgeon services, the anesthesia, or the lab testing. These bills will trickle in and she will not be able to keep her head above water.

We are not close like normal families but we do what needs to be done to survive. I would show up again and again because that is family. That is community. It is love.

My family needs help at this point. Any amount you could so graciously donate would be appreciated from the depth of my soul, my sister's, and our mothers' for the rest of our lives. Thank you for reading.