Donation protected
This is my little sister, Anne's, story. A few months ago, she walked out of her doctor's office devastated by learning that her breast cancer had returned for the 3rd time in a period of less than 30 years. This new cancer is a more aggressive, different form than the previous two cancers. To compound all of this, her husband has been diagnosed in the past year with cancer and diabetes, and he cannot work. Anne is in her 50's. The first time she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was 28 years old. She was the youngest woman in Colorado ever to have been diagnosed with breast cancer at the time.
Anne has always been a kind, fun person with a great sense of humor. You can see the spark and personality in her face. Her dimples are a delightful part of her smile. She is a courageous woman undergoing her third round of cancer treatments. Anne was first diagnosed in her 20's with a very aggressive form of breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. Her world turned upside down in an instant. Anne was too sick to work. She suffered through the pain of chemotherapy and radiation while remaining pretty upbeat. Everything took an enormous toll on her, but she slowly recovered. She made it to the goal of 6 years after, and then the breast cancer came back a second time in the other breast. It was so hard for Anne because she thought she had beaten it. I cried when I saw the dot which was tattooed on her breast to focus the radiation treatments, because I knew she would be reminded of her cancer forever. She was so sick throughout the treatments again. After this second time, Anne's chemo and radiation forced her into early menopause, so she wasn't able to become pregnant. Despite such dark times, her interest in life and those around her continued. She recovered and carried on with her life, choosing not to worry that it would happen again.
Yet, it has. This last time has been by far the worst. Anne was diagnosed with the most dangerous of her three breast cancers - triple negative. Anne has an extremely aggressive course of chemotherapy - she cannot tolerate any more radiation ever. With this latest cancer, Anne has had 3 major surgeries, which delayed her chemo - among them was treatment for diverticulitis, surgery from which she almost died. She needs one more surgery before she can start the healing process. Before her diagnosis, Anne spent the previous 6 months coping with her husband's leukemia and diabetes. He has been in and out of the hospital, and Anne has taken care of him while sick from her cancer. Along with fear and worry about their health, there is the huge worry about having no income because they both have a catastrophic illness.
This fund is being started by her sister in Anne's honor - my buddy since childhood. Her economic challenges are
huge! Anne has always been frugal and worked hard with a great work ethic. Each time having cancer has meant losing work income and repaying medical bills. Fears of losing their home of 26 years and being unable to pay bills loom large. Anne wants to get back to work as soon as she isn't sick and gets stronger, and her company is more than happy to have her return when she is able.
Please help this wonderful woman who has had so much sickness and hardship in her life, and yet still can laugh. She has shed the rare tear, but has no room for self-pity.
If you have been through this disease yourself or with a loved one, please think of Anne and consider donating. Your help and the wonderful kindness of people will mean the world to Anne.
Anne has always been a kind, fun person with a great sense of humor. You can see the spark and personality in her face. Her dimples are a delightful part of her smile. She is a courageous woman undergoing her third round of cancer treatments. Anne was first diagnosed in her 20's with a very aggressive form of breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. Her world turned upside down in an instant. Anne was too sick to work. She suffered through the pain of chemotherapy and radiation while remaining pretty upbeat. Everything took an enormous toll on her, but she slowly recovered. She made it to the goal of 6 years after, and then the breast cancer came back a second time in the other breast. It was so hard for Anne because she thought she had beaten it. I cried when I saw the dot which was tattooed on her breast to focus the radiation treatments, because I knew she would be reminded of her cancer forever. She was so sick throughout the treatments again. After this second time, Anne's chemo and radiation forced her into early menopause, so she wasn't able to become pregnant. Despite such dark times, her interest in life and those around her continued. She recovered and carried on with her life, choosing not to worry that it would happen again.
Yet, it has. This last time has been by far the worst. Anne was diagnosed with the most dangerous of her three breast cancers - triple negative. Anne has an extremely aggressive course of chemotherapy - she cannot tolerate any more radiation ever. With this latest cancer, Anne has had 3 major surgeries, which delayed her chemo - among them was treatment for diverticulitis, surgery from which she almost died. She needs one more surgery before she can start the healing process. Before her diagnosis, Anne spent the previous 6 months coping with her husband's leukemia and diabetes. He has been in and out of the hospital, and Anne has taken care of him while sick from her cancer. Along with fear and worry about their health, there is the huge worry about having no income because they both have a catastrophic illness.
This fund is being started by her sister in Anne's honor - my buddy since childhood. Her economic challenges are
huge! Anne has always been frugal and worked hard with a great work ethic. Each time having cancer has meant losing work income and repaying medical bills. Fears of losing their home of 26 years and being unable to pay bills loom large. Anne wants to get back to work as soon as she isn't sick and gets stronger, and her company is more than happy to have her return when she is able.
Please help this wonderful woman who has had so much sickness and hardship in her life, and yet still can laugh. She has shed the rare tear, but has no room for self-pity.
If you have been through this disease yourself or with a loved one, please think of Anne and consider donating. Your help and the wonderful kindness of people will mean the world to Anne.
Organizer and beneficiary
Dana Gogan
Organizer
Bozeman, MT
Anne O'Bryon
Beneficiary