Cancer sucks!!! And so do the medical bills that come with it!! Having a loved one say, "I don't want to get the biopsy or treatment because we can't afford it," is just heartbreaking!!! There is NO way I was going to let my son not get a biopsy on a lung lymph node that may be stage 4 thyroid metastasized cancer!!!

When checking into the hospital and being told, "That will be $8,000," was a shock!! We just looked at each other, and I was trying to figure out what I can sell to afford this, another job, loans, etc. And this isn't even for the surgery yet!!

Back story... In July 2023, Kaden was diagnosed with pneumonia, in the ER twice for it, and when they took x-rays, they told him to get his thyroid checked. Thankfully, that pneumonia diagnosis is what revealed he had pulmonary thyroid cancer. On Halloween 2023, he spent the night in the hospital after having his thyroid and 4 lymph nodes next to it removed. The doctor said, "All cancer is removed, and no chemo or radiation is needed. He will just need to take a thyroid pill for the rest of his life." We were happy with that, and since then, everything has been smooth sailing.

Until a routine CT scan in December revealed an enlarged lymph node in his neck, a small mass in his neck, and an enlarged lymph node between his lungs. Meeting with an oncologist to hear, "There was a remnant of thyroid left in the neck (that has cancer) and a lymph node on the opposite side of the neck that is cancer, and if that biopsy on the lung lymph node comes back cancer, then it will be Stage 4 Metastatic Thyroid Cancer." Breaks a mom's heart seeing your child in pain and dealing with any health issues!! I always try to stay positive and strong, but there are times of being scared and wanting to do anything I can to take this pain away from him! We were all shocked and so scared to hear that!!

Well, it's now a new year, new deductible, and more treatments and hospital stays to come. I absolutely hate to ask for help, but relieving some of the bill stress away from him is one thing I can do to help him! Any dollar amount helps, and we are forever grateful!! And prayers are always appreciated!! I know the power of prayer and truly believe he will beat this!!!

2/13/25 - Put under anesthesia and a wide breathing tube put in so a robot camera can be put down the windpipe to see the enlarged lymph node and snip a piece of it for testing. The doctor looked at the cells under a microscope and doesn't believe it's cancer, so that is good news!! But they are still sending it out to the lab for testing, and we will know in a week. (That was the $8K procedure)

He sees his new oncologist in 2 weeks to go over all results and schedule treatment for the neck cancerous lymph node, surgery for removal of the lymph node, and thyroid remnant. I will keep you updated and am beyond grateful for all the sweet messages, thoughts, and prayers sent our way!! xoxox