In May 2021, My friend Monica went to seek medical help because she was concerned of her rapid weight loss, excessive bleeding, debilitating pain in her back and abdomen. The doctor at the general clinic referred her to the hospital to run more tests and it was then were they discovered Monica had a tumor in her uterus. She had grade 3 agressive endometriosis Cancer.

After that discovery doctors scheduled her for a surgery to remove the tumor on August 2021. After the surgery she was in recovery for 8 weeks. Doctors were pleased to say she was cancer free.

July 2022 Monica started to feel sick again, this time she went straight to the hospital where she was already treated. After running tests, doctors confirmed the worst news. After that year of remission, she had a recurrence. The tumors grew back. However this time, surgical removal of the tumors were not an option. Doctors advised Monica to start her chemo immediately. However Monica is on her own. She is an immigrant and works for a clothing store in Los Angeles. Despite the severity of her condition, her concern was how would she pay for her bills and living if she got the treatment. Monica delayed chemo for a month so she can save some money for her expenses. She began chemo in September 2022 for 3 months. Doctors ran tests in December of that year to see if the treatment was working, but unfortunately the tumors were not shrinking. Regardless, Monica continued her fight and continued to receive her treatment through March 2023. Again, the treatment was not effective. At this point, her options were limited. She was offered to admit herself to trials, but Monica fears that after all the chemo, losing her beautiful black hair, losing weight, feeling so sick from getting the infusions, that these trials would make her only get worst. There is no guarantee that these trials would work. Doctors prescribed her a pill treatment that kept her stable, not better but not worst.

Monica has done everything in her power to stay strong in her spirit and has had faith in healing. She has done everything she could, to beat her cancer. Despite everything she was going through Monica, would not let this beat her, Monica takes the bus to her appointments, Ubers to the hospitals, continued to show up to work. Wore a wig for over a year to hide from everyone what she has been enduring.

As of right now, Monica’s cancer is growing and spreading rapidly. She now has Endometriosis Cancer Stage 4, With chemo not being effective, and surgery not being an option because of the placement of the tumors Monica’s health is not getting any better. (She’s fighting though!) She can no longer go to work and it is getting harder for her to do the things she was able to do for herself. Monica can no longer hide this and is now asking the last thing she ever wanted to do. She is asking for help from her friends and community. Her goal is to find any treatment that might be available that can add days to her life, and help her enjoy more moments of strength with her friends and family. She prays that she will recover like she first did.

As her friend I ask you to donate $1, share her story and keep her in your prayers. I pray to see my beautiful kind friend at the gym looking pretty, strong, sharing laughs, stories, and have her live healthily with us. From the bottom of our hearts, I thank you for taking the time to read this.

Blessings,

Monica & Ale