Over the past 5 years our family has been fighting uphill battles at every turn with very little breathing room. Among the list includes our mother developing herniated discs and being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, our father developing cardiovascular problems while also being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, medical related unemployment and most recently my sister being the victim of a hit and run which left her car totalled with no perp being apprehended. We’ve managed to make it by for as long as we could, however exhausted bank accounts and various credit card debts have left us in a position of turning to public help.

In late 2019, our mother developed various herniated discs which left her immobilized and bedridden for months in immense pain. We tried going through insurance and the American healthcare system, however no solutions were being provided that were either timely or financially feasible. The cheapest solution was to fly her overseas in order to obtain the surgery and medical care she required to make her better. Thankfully the surgery was a success and she was able to walk again while ridding her of her pain. Not even a month after the surgery, she ended up receiving a diagnosis of having stage 2 breast cancer. She endured chemotherapy, two surgeries and radiation over the course of a year and a half, after which she beat her battle with cancer and is thankfully in remission.

Two weeks after overcoming these hurdles, our father was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Numerous scans displayed that the cancer had spread from his lungs, to his chest lymph nodes, rib, liver, and at one point, terrifyingly, his brain. In the midst of his cancer diagnosis, our dad also required two heart stents be placed as he was experiencing cardiovascular issues as well. Along with numerous daily meds, he required chemotherapy and immunotherapy every 3 weeks for the past 2 years now in addition to all his other preventative care appointments.

Thanks to the work of his numerous doctors, countless treatments, and a small miracle, our dads treatment has been highly effective and the majority of his cancer is gone, no longer requiring chemotherapy as part of his regimen! We are hopeful that his ongoing immunotherapy will continue to prove effective.

This all being said, unfortunately the medical expenses that have accrued over the past few years along with other life situations occurring such as unemployment, family emergencies, and the most recent car totalling from the hit and run, are beginning to become more than my sister and I can continue to afford. She put her life on pause in order to be their at home caretaker over the past few years and we are doing everything we can to ensure that finances don’t interfere with compromising the level of care and treatments our parents still require. While we are over the major battles, they are still required to do routine scans while continuing prescribed treatments and medications for many years to come. With the economy being what it is, unfortunately the prices of their required care management have only continued to increase over time.

The final thing in all of this is our parents relocation. While my sister has been a major help in moving back home the past 4 years to care for our parents, the fact of the matter is that this isn't a feasible long term solution. As a result, we've all sat down and agreed that the goal is to move my parents from Florida closer to the both of us, allowing for us to share the workload in their ongoing care. Also in the case of emergencies, being immediately available is preferable to a flight across the country.

With the help of numerous doctors, family, friends, peers and the general public, we are absolutely thankful to everyone and everything and counting our blessings each and every day. Anything and everything that could be donated is exceedingly appreciated. If you are unable to donate, sharing it helps just as much! Thank you all so much.