:C is the shitz

I'm 46 and I teach middle schoolers who don't have the ability to care for themselves. I am a caregiver to a teenager in a wheelchair. I volunteer to support Democracy. I never thought I'd get that call at 7:15 at night.

I was diagnosed with colon cancer in August during a routine colonoscopy. Thankfully it was caught early. The pathologist cleared the margins, however my GI doctor felt it was prudent for a surgery consult to be sure there wasn’t any lymph tissue involved.

The first procedure will involve removing about 5 inches of my colon. With this invasive procedure, I will need an ileostomy bag via a stoma for 4 months while my colon heals. It will be about six hours and would mean a hospital stay of about five or so days. If all goes as planned, I will be off work for four-six weeks with no heavy lifting. I haven't even began to think about the second procedure. That will happen sometime this winter, and the ileostomy will be reversed. I'm not sure of how much time I'll be taking off work for the reversal but they have to reopen my abdomen and I can't imagine it being less than 4 weeks.

Please help me offset the cost of my medical bills and loss of pay. The Oregon Paid Leave plan with my short-term disability will cover 66% of my income as a special education teacher. I've got about $6000 in medical expenses that I'll owe. Also, my partner in crime is taking time off at about 66% too. Any amount is helpful! Thank you for your consideration.