$4,120 raised
·55 donations
Marlea's Pancreatic Cancer Battle
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My name is Marlea Crandall Roberts. I am a young, healthy & active 53 year old. Three weeks ago my whole world, as I know it, was turned upside down with a diagnosis of Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer! I went to the ER after having persistent upper abdominal pain radiating to my back. After blood work & a CT Scan, they found a "mass" in my pancreas that was blocking my bile duct. The ER doctor at that time was reluctant to use the "C" word. I was admitted to the hospital & after a procedure to unblock the bile duct, a stent was placed & a biopsy taken. The doctor then confirmed that it is a tumor & 2 days later the biopsy confirmed Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer with surrounding lymph node involvement. I work 2 part-time jobs as a Cardiac Sonographer; one in a Cardiology office & the other in the hospital. Because both positions are part-time, I am not eligible for any benefits. I will have medical insurance effective June 1st which is a high deductible plan & pays only 70% after the deductible. Treatments are VERY expensive...one chemo drug alone is $10,000 per treatment & I will be receiving 2 chemo drugs once a week for 4 months! Then I will undergo 5 weeks of radiation. After all that, I will be re-evaluated & if I'm a candidate for surgery, I will undergo a very complex surgery (Whipple procedure). If that wasn't bad enough, because of the weakened immune system with chemo treatments, I cannot work my job at the hospital....literally half of my income! I have the emotional support from my husband, but needless to say, he is devastated. He is 68 years old & receives only Social Security because of his own heart problems!
With the support from friends, family & co-workers, combined with my strong will, I am going to give the fight of my life. However, at the same time, I am human & this is a very scary disease. I AM SCARED! My God give me the strength to get through this & most importantly beat the odds!
With the support from friends, family & co-workers, combined with my strong will, I am going to give the fight of my life. However, at the same time, I am human & this is a very scary disease. I AM SCARED! My God give me the strength to get through this & most importantly beat the odds!
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Marlea Roberts
Organizer
Clearwater, FL