Hello,

My name is Tandy Elisala. I am a mother, sister, friend, coach, dog mama, and I have stage 4 head and neck cancer... for the fifth time. 

It started with tooth pain, on the left side of my mouth. I didn't think much about it, at the time, until my dentist referred me to an oral surgeon, who specialized in oral cancer. After he evaluated my case, removed some teeth, and did some biopsies - he confirmed that I have an aggressive form of stage 4 head and neck cancer. My entire left jaw has cancer in the bone, with the surrounding soft tissue being effected with rapidly growing tumors. The tumors, which were once held back by the teeth that were pulled, now grow painfully and uncontrollably and have made it very difficult to eat, speak, swallow, and even smile. 

As I prepare for the fight of my life, I need financial help to win this battle. I am in the best hands, with some of the best specialists in the country. My medical team has recommended starting chemotherapy first to stop tumor growth, then surgery to remove my jaw and the affected areas. I started chemotherapy this week and project surgery will happen later this spring. Due to this being my fifth time with this cancer, I am unable to receive radiation treatment as I got the maximum amount last time in 2015. My case is complicated and requires specialists from multiple areas of medicine. I am luckier than most, with an amazing community of friends and family, who have supported me on all of my journeys with this cancer. 

WHAT I NEED AND HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS WILL HELP

Here’s where I need help and the order in which your financial donations will apply:

1.    $16,000 to meet my deductible and to help cover my copayments for prescriptions and visits,
2.    $3,951 for out of pocket chemotherapy treatments (yeah, you read that right - chemo isn't covered),
3.    $4,494 for expenses incurred for the biopsies and oral surgeon in January 2019,
4.    $14,555 for supportive natural cancer solutions; including target therapies based on tumor genetic testing.  
6.    $6,000 for products related to this cancer diagnosis including over-the-counter medication and travel.

I am ETERNALLY GRATEFUL to everyone for their love and support. ANY donation, of any amount matters. I also really appreciate if you would share my story, in any way possible to help me reach my medical goals.  When going through something like cancer, it's tough enough to manage the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of this horrible disease. When someone doesn't have the financial means to overcome cancer, it puts added stress on the body and makes it difficult to focus on healing. 

I am 100% sure I will be cancer free again. I appreciate you being part of this journey with me and making healing possible.