Support Rose's Fight Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi, I'm Rose. I'm 36 and I live in the Bay Area, California.

On January 22nd, I found a lump.

On February 18th, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Invasive ductal carcinoma, triple-negative.

I have already met my deductible for the year and am rapidly approaching my out-of-pocket maximum as well. I've come here to ask for help with those bills. I do have insurance, but as anyone living in the US knows, they've gotta get their money's worth.

The procedures and tests I've had since January 24th:

Upcoming:

I will be starting chemo at the end of March, and I will be going on medical leave from work at that time. I am receiving treatment at Stanford University. I will also be participating in the SCARLET clinical trial; unfortunately, it is not one of those well-funded trials that pays for everything, so the costs of treatment still remain between myself and my insurance.

Sometimes life throws you curveballs. I have been very lucky-- my family members have all lived long, healthy lives. Our experiences with cancer are very fringe. I have learned so much in the last two weeks that I never wanted to have to learn. I had many plans for this year-- I was to transfer to Ohio with my job, my partner was finally supposed to join me here in the USA, and we were going to be getting married. These plans, as you can imagine, are now up in the air.

As Robert Burns wrote in 1785, "The best laid schemes of mice and men oft go awry."

(Well, he wrote it in the Scots language, so I've used the traditional translation.)

It's a very scary time for me, but I am doing my best to stay positive-- I know I am in the best hands possible, and that my mindset will be incredibly important in the long fight ahead. Aside from the immediate treatment schedule, it is likely I will be on immunotherapy drugs for at least a year after chemo, and I will need biannual scans for several years to check for recurrence.

* By miscellaneous costs, I am referring to the things associated with going through cancer that are NOT covered by insurance. They are mostly things to help me deal with the array of chemo-related side effects that can arise, as well as preventative measures due to being immunocompromised. These are items such as extra-soft toothbrushes, sensitive-skin soaps and lotions, scarves, wigs, emesis bags, port cushions, mastectomy pillows, etc.

Any support you can offer would be so, so greatly appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!