Support Laura's Battle Against Stage 4 Colon Cancer

Hello, my name is Laura, here is my story as to how I became diagnosed with stage 4 Colon Cancer. In mid August 2024 a few days after celebrating my daughter's 21st birthday I started having stomach pains. After using up all my vacation time and PTO and the pain not going away, and as I had no health insurance, I decided to go to a free clinic close by. Dr Emily was my attending doctor, after a few visits and some blood work an X-ray, an ultra sound and a CT scan she found there is an 11 cm mass in my abdomen and 3 lesions on my liver as well as some ascites. She recommended that I see a specialists. She tried to set up an appointment for me but without insurance no doctor would accept me. Dr. Emily gave me information regarding medical financial assistance. I applied for everything she gave me. She recommended as soon as I was approved for any of these I should give them a call back to help me set up some appointments with specialist as this looked to be cancer. She gave me some medicine. I started feeling better, my pain and inflammation were lessening. Then one day after jumping around on my mini trampoline the pain came on much worse. Any movement I made had to be done very carefully, walking, sitting, standing, it was all very painful. Finally after a few days of painful living and crying myself to sleep I decided to go to urgent care to see if they could prescribe some pain medication so that I could function somewhat at work, while I waited for any medical assistance or insurance to take place. After examining me the urgent care doctor told me if I were his sister he would have sent me to a specialist yesterday. He understood I wanted to follow protocol but this cannot wait, he said, I need to go to the emergency room now. So after an hours drive my son dropped me off at the emergency room and I painfully waited until they were able to take me in. I stayed at the hospital for 6 days where they asked many questions, did lots of blood tests and scans and scopes and did some biopsies. Finally they said yes, you have stage 4 Colon cancer. Everything after that has been a blur of appointments with specialists, I've already done my first chemotherapy appointment and the doctors have taken very good care of me, treated me and helped me to understand what I have and why they believe the treatment plan they have provided is the best one for me. The fact that I have no insurance hasn't stopped them from giving me care. And I so appreciate that. But the bills are coming in. I haven't been able to return to work under doctor recommendation. Church and family members have been helping with food, paying my rent and bills and taking me to and from appointments. My chemotherapy appointments will continue for 4 months. Then the doctors will reassess my situation and see if the cancer has stopped it's growth to see if surgery can be done to remove any of the masses. So now I come to all of you who can, please help. I have no income coming in at all. I had just started my debt free journey when cancer showed up. I am concerned and scared about my future, my health and my finances. These doctors have done an amazing job and I would love to pay them for all their hard work. Please help me to be able to pay for my support and health care needs. Thank you all for your kindness and prayers and taking the time to read my story. Please help with any amount, it is all very much appreciated. Thank you.