Ongoing Breast-Lung Cancer and Heart Treatment

My cancer journey began when I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma in my left breast 2 years ago. Since that time, I have had three surgeries by two different breast surgeons. I received 5 weeks of radiation therapy, but the breast cancer is now metastatic. It has spread into my right lung. Both lobes and the surrounding lymph glands. As of 12/9, the cancer has moved into my liver, so I'm unsure of what lies ahead.

I have also had multiple appointments with other specialists, as I have a very damaged heart from a past heart attack. I'm facing aortic valve replacement in the future, as my aortic stenosis is worsening. I am also anemic and have received multiple iron infusions in an attempt to get my hemoglobin numbers up. Over the past two years my calendar has at least 6-8 medical appointments scheduled each month. Usually more.

We drive a very old vehicle and have zero funds for repairs. Unfortunately, it runs on premium gas. Our rescue, Mojo, no longer travels with us for my appointments since we've had multiple mechanical breakdowns, and since he can not be crated, there is the expense of a dog sitter. That may sound trivial, but not in my world. We're totally maxed out on our very fixed income and we have zero savings.

Ideally, we need a dependable vehicle, but I have to work with what we have and at times, that doesn't feel like much.

Asking for help like this is depressing. It's humiliating. Our healthcare system has already broken us in the past, with a very rare eye disease causing a medical bankruptcy, so our credit is shot. It simply doesn't exist. I am in a very rural area and there is no such thing as ride share or any other assistance that many larger cities offer. I have exhausted all other options.

We are not extravagant people and we lead a very simple life. It has never taken much to make me happy, as I know happiness is found within, rather than outside sources. There is a certain stigma to being ill or in a financial crisis. We did all of the "right" things. Worked hard, went without, and had reached a point where we were comfortable with very few financial obligations or worries.

Enter illness. There is no preparing for a catastrophic illness and it will exhaust all resources so quickly. I would not wish these circumstances on anyone, yet there are so many/too many people in this same boat across this country, by NO fault of their own.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for anything you can donate. I know times are hard across the board for many people but just knowing others care means so much, so good thoughts and positive energy are always appreciated as well. I hope to be well enough in the future to pay it forward because none of us are guaranteed good health and our lives can change so very drastically in the blink of an eye.

I just want to get well, and I need help to do that. Covid has broken a healthcare system that was already in shambles and I’m fighting like hell to not let it break me down with it.

I will post updates as I can.

With a grateful heart,

Cindy