Hello! My name is Lori and I am raising funds for my friend Ila as she begins her fight against breast cancer. And at the age of 36, this diagnosis was very unexpected and could not have come at a worse time. Ila was also recently laid off from her job and is uninsured.

Update from Ila, Saturday 9-10-22:

On 9/2, I started two new chemos. Yesterday, I had lab work done to check if I needed a boost for my white or red blood counts, and everything came back great! I'm set for three more rounds of the new stuff every three weeks, and then it's surgery time.

Doc said at my next treatment, they will draw blood for genetic tests to determine if I need a full double mastectomy or just a lumpectomy of the remaining tumor. I'm nervous about that one...let's send out positive energy and prayers for a lumpectomy only. A double mastectomy is not something I want if I can safely avoid it. A double mastectomy is a much bigger, invasive surgery.

This last week was pretty rough. I felt the worst I've felt this whole journey. And I contemplated throwing in the towel at one point and stopping treatment moving forward. But I got this.

Financial update: My Medicaid application is still pending and I have not been approved for assistance through the hospital yet either. Ted is still the only income right now, and each month it's harder and harder to meet all of our needs. We're doing our best and appreciate everything everyone has done for us so far. Thank you all so much!

Update from Ila, Friday 7-29-22:

I had treatment 9 today. I haven’t really updated much in a while. For anyone interested, here we go. Warning: it’s depressing.

Treatments are hitting me harder and harder. Each week my blood counts come back a little bit lower and it’s taking more and more to bounce back. I’m not eating much. Nothing tastes or smells right and I barely have an appetite. Lots of soup and protein bars. I’ve lost 34 pounds so far. I’ve been having nosebleeds, sometimes every day, sometimes less. I have nerve damage in my hands and feet which could be permanent. Today I learned that my eyes are watering non-stop because the chemo called Taxol is irritating the nerves in my eyes. I sleep constantly and have nausea just about every day. My skin has broken out and become dry and brittle. My moods have been swinging from fine to severely depressed. I have pain in my legs - the muscles, bones and joints. Nothing makes it better but my husband rubs them for me.

I have rounds 10-12 of this current cocktail and then I’ll be getting an ultrasound to track my progress.

Then comes four rounds of The Red Devil. Dun dun duuuuuuuun.

End note: my list sounds like a lot but I’m ok. I’m managing. I’m just tired of feeling awful. But this too shall pass and I’ll be back and better than ever soon enough.

Update 3: From Ila. Info that she found out during her 1st treatment last week: 

I found out each visit will have a self pay co-pay until I get insurance lined up. I've applied for Medicade and disability but it's a waiting game. So, now I'm facing $140 a week with just Ted Jackins working. If you can donate or share, I would REALLY appreciate any help I can get. $140 a week could sink us, quickly.

Update 2: Ila's scans last week went well: "PET scan was good! Cancer is only showing in the breast and lymph nodes!! I start chemo on June 1st.". Hopefully tomorrow we will know what day of the week chemo will be on moving forward...next step FINDING CHEMO BUDDIES! Any volunteers?  

Update: Ila had her port surgery on Friday and all went well. Now onto more testing and starting chemo in the next couple weeks. 

 

Original Story: Let me start by saying that the world needs more people like Ila. She is an LGBTQIA+ ally who loves her people with her whole heart. She is an amazing aunt, sister, daughter, cat-mom, step-mom and wife. She is fiercely loyal, kind, caring, supportive and ridiculously smart. She is my HLP (heterosexual life partner), my platonic soulmate and the person who has stood by me through thick and thin. Ila and I have been friends for 25 years and I have seen her grow into a strong woman who has known much adversity but still keeps fighting the good fight every day, even when it is a struggle to do so.

 

Donations will be used for household necessities and monthly living expenses and medical needs when they arise.