Help Tinker with her Breast Cancer Medical Fund

Dear Family & Friends,

My daughter, Rochelle (aka Tinker, as some of you know her), was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer just before Christmas last year. Since then it has been a whirlwind of diagnostic tests to determine exactly how involved the cancer is and what the next steps will be.

Rochelle has been caring for others as a nurse for nearly eight years. She quickly moved through various nursing certifications so that she could be the most help possible in an emergency. She is certified in ER, Trauma, and Pediatric ER and is currently a Certified Flight Nurse for Life Flight. During Covid, Rochelle spent 8 months as part of a task force going to areas where they were hurting for medical support. My daughter has always been concerned with giving back to the community in this way and I am hoping that our community will be willing to help her with the out-of-pocket procedures that are in front of her.

Since the cancer has spread into the lymph glands, most of them will have to be removed. There is a high percentage of people that will have swelling or edema in the corresponding arm for the rest of their lives. However, the doctors with the Cancer Care Team have told her of a procedure called, Lympha, which is not currently covered by insurance. It is considered experimental and prophylactic. The out-of-pocket expense for this procedure is $5500.00 but it will severely reduce her chances of lymphedema so that she can continue doing what she loves to do, nursing.

As if the above concerns are not enough (and I am sorry to say, I never even considered for young women with breast cancer that this was another factor to be considered), her ability to have children in the future will be affected by chemotherapy/radiation, and hormone blockers. The only way to protect her future ability to have children, is for her to undergo fertility hormone treatments, egg harvesting and storage until her treatments are finished and the danger of recurrent cancer is passed. This procedure is also considered out-of-pocket and is about $25,000. There will also be other out-of-pocket expenses for co-pays and trips back and forth to the doctor for all the various treatments she will need to go through.

Tinker is such a giver and now she could use our help. The total cost of these basic needs is approximately $30,000 to $35,000 out-of-pocket. Your prayers and any financial support you can give will mean the world. Please consider giving what you can to help. No gift is too small.

Thank you in advance for your help and prayers!

We deeply appreciate you,

Rosena, Rochelle and the whole family!