With the Power of Love Cancer will never Win

Hello, My name is Joan. My mother named me after Joan of Arc and I am trying very hard to channel her strength in me while I fight to stay healthy and not allow Stage 4 Melanoma to win.

I am on a fixed income and that only covers my basic needs, with no medical coverage, I have to wait until the age of 65. My bank account is drained, as I try and keep up with all the extras I need to buy to keep me on track to being healthy. I don't have a large family, it is just my son and me. He is on O.D.S.P, so financially he cannot help. I am a proud woman and it has not been easy for me to reach out to my friends. I cannot keep asking them for assistance, so here I am reaching out to the world for help in this time of need.

Last year, in March of 2021, I was diagnosed with Stage 3c melanoma the tumor was size T4. A 2nd tumor was found size 4.8. On July 30th, 2021, I had 2 OPERATIONS: 1) Left Radical Groin Lymph Node Dissection and Reconstruction with Myogenous Rotational Muscle Flap, 2) Wide Local Re-excision Melanoma Left Medical Buttock with 2cm clinical margin.

To date, I have had several infections in my left leg, the wound would not heal and I had to have the wound area open up twice. I need to cover a Lymphedema clinic, I need a prescription for massages on my leg with a custom-made stocking, this is not covered by OHIP or Trillium Drug Benefits.

The Immune therapy put my liver enzymes over the chart and I had to go on prednisone (not fun). It did help get my liver back in check, as of January 2022. Now they have me on Chemotherapy medication, my pills are: 1) Brand Name: Mekinist Chemical Name: Trametinib 2) Brand Name: Tafinlar Chemical Name: Dabrafenib Mesylate. These medications are expensive financially and I cannot cover them on my own. Currently I am able to obtain them through service, which I received after my surgeries. This opportunity is coming to an end, putting me on a three months notice then I will have to begin paying out of pocket.

In February 2022 I had a C.A.T. scan, which showed the Melanoma has moved to my lungs, which makes me Stage 4. The tumors are so small they cannot take a biopsy of them. The Dr.s and I are hoping that the Chemo pills will keep them at bay, or shink them. We won't know till I get my next C.A.T scan in June.

In the meanwhile, I got another infection in my leg, and I got very sick for about a week. Once I started to feel better and be able to get out of my bed, I noticed how pale I was, and discovered I have black tarry stool. This means I have internal bleeding. My hemoglobin was at 122 and dropped to 88 within a week, and it has dropped again to 83. And that was the first time I had a blood transfusion. Iron pills have been added to my regiment of other meds I am on, along with vitamins. I've been taken off the chemo pills as there is a 1% they may be the cause of the bleeding. And I have to go get a procedure called endoscopy alongside a colonoscopy so they can determine if there is scaring in my dietary track.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and consider helping me. All donations will be welcomed and appreciated. I will keep updating as I can as I have on my Facebook page.