To help me beat Lymphoma
Donation protected
My name is Raquel Lewis, I am 26 years old and I am in a fight for my life.
On October 30th, 2017, I was diagnosed with Stage 2b Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Wow, there, I said it. As I am coming to terms with this obstacle, I have also had to accept that, for the time being, I will not be able to work or continue my education. My goal is to fight this disease with all my power. I considered myself a healthy, happy semi gym rat with an active social life and the typical work/school/life balance that come along with bettering myself. Six months ago, I became extremely tired- way more than the usual I’m overworked and could use a good sleep-in this weekend that comes with working and going to school full time. One morning, while putting on deodorant I noticed a “lump” under one of my arms, I checked my other armpit and there was another smaller “lump”. I thought it was just an ingrown hair or I was coming down with something and that they would go away in a few days. A few days came and passed and the lumps were still there, and I noticed another larger lump on my collar bone. I asked my family and some friends if they’d ever had anything like that and most said either don’t worry about it or “you need to get that checked out…” So I went to my normal Doctor. He sent me for testing (co-pays), and more testing (and more co-pays), and some more testing (and still more co-pays),. All along I was thinking it’d be some type of allergy or something. As the results started to come in my doctor said (after a month of back to back testing i.e. cat scans, x-rays, ultrasounds) this was beyond his ability to treat and gave me the general diagnosis of possible Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.….I don’t know the words to describe the feelings I had/have of disbelief and thinking there’s got to be some kind of mistake. I’m very fit, I don’t smoke, I eat healthy food, there’s Nothing Wrong With Me RIGHT? At Moffitt they performed a series of tests that include pet scans, biopsies of these growing lumps and lots of blood work.
I’m quickly running out of money. I’ve had to take short term disability at work, as the days go by I’m getting worse, that’s what cancer does. The anxiety is beyond explanation, so many questions, so many not good answers.
So here I am before you, asking for your kindness and financial help. The funds accumulated will go towards medical/health expenses and unpaid bills, that my insurance does not cover. Every penny left over, will be donated to Moffitt Cancer Center to help everyone battling this horrible disease and I will close out the account. I will post the donation receipt with everyone’s name who’s provided funds. If you would like to join my fight any and all support are welcome.
I apperciate the support.
On October 30th, 2017, I was diagnosed with Stage 2b Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Wow, there, I said it. As I am coming to terms with this obstacle, I have also had to accept that, for the time being, I will not be able to work or continue my education. My goal is to fight this disease with all my power. I considered myself a healthy, happy semi gym rat with an active social life and the typical work/school/life balance that come along with bettering myself. Six months ago, I became extremely tired- way more than the usual I’m overworked and could use a good sleep-in this weekend that comes with working and going to school full time. One morning, while putting on deodorant I noticed a “lump” under one of my arms, I checked my other armpit and there was another smaller “lump”. I thought it was just an ingrown hair or I was coming down with something and that they would go away in a few days. A few days came and passed and the lumps were still there, and I noticed another larger lump on my collar bone. I asked my family and some friends if they’d ever had anything like that and most said either don’t worry about it or “you need to get that checked out…” So I went to my normal Doctor. He sent me for testing (co-pays), and more testing (and more co-pays), and some more testing (and still more co-pays),. All along I was thinking it’d be some type of allergy or something. As the results started to come in my doctor said (after a month of back to back testing i.e. cat scans, x-rays, ultrasounds) this was beyond his ability to treat and gave me the general diagnosis of possible Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.….I don’t know the words to describe the feelings I had/have of disbelief and thinking there’s got to be some kind of mistake. I’m very fit, I don’t smoke, I eat healthy food, there’s Nothing Wrong With Me RIGHT? At Moffitt they performed a series of tests that include pet scans, biopsies of these growing lumps and lots of blood work.
I’m quickly running out of money. I’ve had to take short term disability at work, as the days go by I’m getting worse, that’s what cancer does. The anxiety is beyond explanation, so many questions, so many not good answers.
So here I am before you, asking for your kindness and financial help. The funds accumulated will go towards medical/health expenses and unpaid bills, that my insurance does not cover. Every penny left over, will be donated to Moffitt Cancer Center to help everyone battling this horrible disease and I will close out the account. I will post the donation receipt with everyone’s name who’s provided funds. If you would like to join my fight any and all support are welcome.
I apperciate the support.
Organizer
Raquel Lewis
Organizer
Tampa, FL
