One Sunday in April, I was shaving in the shower and felt my left armpit lymph nodes swollen and enlarged. I scheduled a same day appointment the very next day and saw a nurse practitioner who was very concerned. She encouraged me to get a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. My insurance wasn't great at the time, so I pushed this out a bit and she actually got the facility to pay for part of it. The mammogram was clear, but the ultrasound of my armpit showed 2 large masses. At this time, the radiologist strongly recommended a biopsy. I was still so sure it wasn't cancer and again, I waited on this because I was worried about the cost of the biopsy. I eventually booked the appointment in June, and on June 24th my doctor called me to confirm my biopsy results: HER2+, grade 3, hormone negative breast cancer.

I was already planning a huge life event of finally leaving Tucson and moving to Portland. There were many reasons for this decision and now I had an even stronger reason - better healthcare options. I spent July finishing my cancer testing, an MRI, CT and genetics testing, finding out I have the BRCA2 gene mutation. At the beginning of August I sold and donated 80% of my belongings, and with the help of some of my dearest friends, I made the move to Portland, Oregon to start treatment. After some preliminary doctor appointments, I officially started chemotherapy (TCHP) on September 22nd. My third infusion is scheduled for November 3rd, which is my half way point.

I already feel so blessed and cared for, and that's why I didn't start something like this sooner. I feel so honored and cherished by all those who have donated to this journey so far, either directly, in person with helping me move, or by ordering items off of my Amazon wishlist. I won't sugar coat it, chemotherapy is hard and I'm realizing I'm going to need extra support in this journey, even more-so than I originally anticipated. I'm starting this in the hopes these funds help take some of the financial burden off of my family and allow me space to not let stress negatively impact my treatment, and heal. After these 6 rounds of chemotherapy ends, I will have to get a lumpectomy in my armpit which means I won't be able to move my arm for a bit while that heals. Then there's a possibility I will need radiation. And, because of the BRCA2 gene mutation, I will be getting a double mastectomy with reconstruction. There's a strong possibility I'll have to have more organs removed as well. All of this on top of having to receive immunotherapy through my port for at least a year.

For the sake of transparency, and because I believe that more information is always helpful, here's a breakdown of some of my monthly expenses:

-$40-$75 for treatment prescriptions, $40 just for the granix injections I have to give myself during each infusion cycle, I will have 2 cycles in November.

-$50 copays for each infusion and doctors visit

-$160 health insurance premium

-$120 vehicle insurance

-$750 rent, I currently have a work trade for most of this, but there will be times during surgeries and bad chemo reactions where I won't be able to do this.

Additional expenses include gas, food and the occasional dance when health status allows, and car maintenance which I direly need, but have been putting off, and upcoming vehicle registration. I also have about 2k in medical debt from testing I had to get done in Tucson before leaving.

If donating isn't an option for you, other ways you can help support this journey are:

-if you have my number saved in your phone, please use it when shopping at Safeway or Albertsons.

-sharing this fundraising effort with anyone you think could help out!

-sending good prosperous and healing vibes - I use the mantra, "The money is coming."

-add me to your netflix account

I was able to get onto SNAP this month, but if you've seen the news lately, you know this is no longer reliable. I've also let go of several of my media subscriptions and fortunately, I know how to budget and get by on very little. I have an art project and some merch ideas relating to my cancer journey in the works. Keep your eyes peeled for that. For more in depth updates, follow my journey on TikTok: @korinastartsover.

Thank you allllllllllllll so, so, soooooooooo much for any support or donations to this journey. I definitely did not see this on my 2025 bingo card.