Mary Overcoming Ovarian Cancer
Donation protected
I’ve always been a planner. It drives my family crazy. For as long as I can remember, I have planned everything.
What I never planned on was cancer.
A quick and easy surgery to remove an ovarian cyst ended up resulting in the diagnosis of ovarian clear cell cancer. It’s a very rare and aggressive type that has a high rate of recurrence. Only about 5% of all people with ovarian cancer have this kind.
The good news – My cancer appears to have been caught early. The doctor initially thinks I am a stage 1C, but we won’t know for sure until after I have surgery. The surgery will remove all my lady parts, lymph nodes, fatty tissue on the abdomen (anything cancer could touch), and do biopsies of all the surrounding organs and tissues. This will help us know what step to take next – chemo, radiation, or both. Surgery is scheduled for next week and treatment will start shortly after that.
I would like to say that I’ve handled this well, but that would be a lie. I’m terrified. There has been a lot of crying in the past few weeks.
I’m not one who likes to ask for help. I prefer to be the one helping others. In my opinion, there is always someone who has it worse than me. Unfortunately, this time I’m in over my head and I don’t know what to do.
With two surgeries in one year and chemo/radiation starting at the beginning of next year, I am looking at a lot of medical bills coming in that I don’t have the money to pay for. My insurance will pay a good amount, but I have a $4,500 deductible that is my responsibility. The deductible will hit me twice – once for surgery in 2017 and again when I start chemo or radiation at the beginning of 2018. This does not count the cost of doctor visit copays and medication.
On top of this, I will be required to take time off work for treatment. Some of this will be paid, but the majority will not. My father is in bad health, and I do not want the stress of bills falling on him. I am supposed to be his caregiver. Not the other way around.
I would appreciate any help that you can give. Even if it is only a small amount. All money donated will go to the cost of my treatment.
I know not everyone has the means to help financially. I also appreciate everyone who has offered time, prayer, or a kind word. That means just as much!
Thank you in advance for all you have done and will do.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Mary
What I never planned on was cancer.
A quick and easy surgery to remove an ovarian cyst ended up resulting in the diagnosis of ovarian clear cell cancer. It’s a very rare and aggressive type that has a high rate of recurrence. Only about 5% of all people with ovarian cancer have this kind.
The good news – My cancer appears to have been caught early. The doctor initially thinks I am a stage 1C, but we won’t know for sure until after I have surgery. The surgery will remove all my lady parts, lymph nodes, fatty tissue on the abdomen (anything cancer could touch), and do biopsies of all the surrounding organs and tissues. This will help us know what step to take next – chemo, radiation, or both. Surgery is scheduled for next week and treatment will start shortly after that.
I would like to say that I’ve handled this well, but that would be a lie. I’m terrified. There has been a lot of crying in the past few weeks.
I’m not one who likes to ask for help. I prefer to be the one helping others. In my opinion, there is always someone who has it worse than me. Unfortunately, this time I’m in over my head and I don’t know what to do.
With two surgeries in one year and chemo/radiation starting at the beginning of next year, I am looking at a lot of medical bills coming in that I don’t have the money to pay for. My insurance will pay a good amount, but I have a $4,500 deductible that is my responsibility. The deductible will hit me twice – once for surgery in 2017 and again when I start chemo or radiation at the beginning of 2018. This does not count the cost of doctor visit copays and medication.
On top of this, I will be required to take time off work for treatment. Some of this will be paid, but the majority will not. My father is in bad health, and I do not want the stress of bills falling on him. I am supposed to be his caregiver. Not the other way around.
I would appreciate any help that you can give. Even if it is only a small amount. All money donated will go to the cost of my treatment.
I know not everyone has the means to help financially. I also appreciate everyone who has offered time, prayer, or a kind word. That means just as much!
Thank you in advance for all you have done and will do.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Mary
Organizer
Mary Quigley
Organizer
Lowell, IN
