Tommie Kessler (because #cancersucks)

Welcome! Meet Tommie Kessler.

Tommie is a bright spot here in Spokane, WA. She's served as a Peer Support Specialist for the last several years, is part of NewCom Spokane's spiritual community, absolutely loves being outdoors, and is someone that many of us love.

She was recently diagnosed with Head & Neck Cancer that was determined to have been caused by a virus.

Her prognosis is great! Unfortunately, according to her doctors, this is one of the most difficult cancers to treat because of the sheer number of daily and automatic activities that are impacted by the treatment. Things like swallowing, eating, saliva production, hearing, tasting, and remaining hydrated are all things that will be compromised. One doc called the treatment "horrendous."

Tommie has an amazing sense of humor and has been striving to remain in good spirits amid everything. Example: she named her tumors!! Hence, this is part of the "Chronicles of Garganoid the Dancing Klingon and his little brother Tino." No joke: they're an expensive duo to have around.

We are so grateful that Tommie has FMLA and PFML available. However, that won't cover the full course of treatment & recovery and will pay only a % of eligible hours, so she'll have significant lost wages over the next several months. Her doctors have all confirmed that battling Garganoid & Tino needs to be her full-time job, and we'd like her to be able to afford normal living expenses while she does that.

We are also grateful that she qualified for MultiCare's financial assistance. Even with insurance and that assistance, there are and will be medical bills that won't be covered (an ER visit in March that's not in the MultiCare system, prescriptions to manage side effects, etc.).

There are out-of-pocket expenses that just aren't always anticipated: over-the-counter supplies to mitigate the side effects of treatments, and "new and exciting groceries" that aren't the norm. These include things like Boost--or anything that will help her eat through her mouth. It is not uncommon for people undergoing this treatment to lose a LOT of weight and end up requiring a feeding tube to avoid additional complications. Since eating will feel like swallowing a cactus, we're trying to situate Tommie with foods she can eat comfortably and that will help her avoid a feeding tube.

Gifts in any amount are deeply appreciated. And anything given will go toward medical expenses and toward support for her wellness while she is unable to work.