My Mother's Fight to Live
Donation protected
If you know me, you know my mom is my world. If you really know me, you know I am a pretty private person and have trouble asking for help...but here I am.
In February of this year, my mom was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer. My mom who never smoked a day in her life. My mom who comforted those with this disease for over 30 years as an oncology nurse. My mom who is my best friend. My inspiration. My cheerleader. My everything.
The past few months have been life altering for all of us, of course especially for my mom. Yet she has faced this with the utmost dignity, grace and strength. Something I'm not so sure I could do. She refuses to let this diagnosis define her. But to say she is scared is an understatement.
My mom started taking Tagrisso in March. It is a once-daily prescription medicine for people with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with certain types of abnormal EGFR genes. We started to have hope. She is feeling better. The cough is almost gone. This medicine is truly a gift. And it has been taken away. The first 2-months were covered and now we've entered a nightmare. Insurance refuses to cover. The pharmaceutical company won't cover. The agreement they worked out together to cover the cost, they now terminated. Her last pill was Thursday May 10th. They will not send the new prescription. At the moment we are in limbo and the only way to guarantee that we can get her medicine is to pay the full amount. I have been on the phone with the insurance company to no avail. As of today's conversation (May 14th) they discussed a somewhat manageable plan and no sooner did I hang up then they called back to say that they "conveyed the wrong information" and they can't offer this plan.
It costs $18,000.00 a month for this medicine. They want her to pay $14,000.00 a month out of her own pocket. That’s the best they can do. She will have to be on this medicine for the rest of her life. I am hoping to raise enough money to cover 2-months worth and during that time do everything I can come hell or high water to get this medicine covered.
My mother retired this January after 30+ years of working as an Oncology nurse. The irony isn't lost on any of us. My father is also retired, from the NYPD and Continental Airlines. This was supposed to finally be their time. And now they’ve spend it trying to get the benefits my mother deserves. That they WORKED their entire lives for! This is how we treat the working class in America... but I won't start on that.
The thought of my mom going another day without this medicine is crushing me and my family. I am not myself and maybe now many of you understand why I haven’t been these past few months. I can’t thank my family, friends, coworkers and bosses for their kindness and support. I have a beautiful tribe. And here is where I ask you for help and this isn’t easy. If you are able to donate any amount to help cover the cost of my mom’s medicine it would mean the world to me and my family. I want to give her the fighting chance she deserves. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your support.
In February of this year, my mom was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer. My mom who never smoked a day in her life. My mom who comforted those with this disease for over 30 years as an oncology nurse. My mom who is my best friend. My inspiration. My cheerleader. My everything.
The past few months have been life altering for all of us, of course especially for my mom. Yet she has faced this with the utmost dignity, grace and strength. Something I'm not so sure I could do. She refuses to let this diagnosis define her. But to say she is scared is an understatement.
My mom started taking Tagrisso in March. It is a once-daily prescription medicine for people with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with certain types of abnormal EGFR genes. We started to have hope. She is feeling better. The cough is almost gone. This medicine is truly a gift. And it has been taken away. The first 2-months were covered and now we've entered a nightmare. Insurance refuses to cover. The pharmaceutical company won't cover. The agreement they worked out together to cover the cost, they now terminated. Her last pill was Thursday May 10th. They will not send the new prescription. At the moment we are in limbo and the only way to guarantee that we can get her medicine is to pay the full amount. I have been on the phone with the insurance company to no avail. As of today's conversation (May 14th) they discussed a somewhat manageable plan and no sooner did I hang up then they called back to say that they "conveyed the wrong information" and they can't offer this plan.
It costs $18,000.00 a month for this medicine. They want her to pay $14,000.00 a month out of her own pocket. That’s the best they can do. She will have to be on this medicine for the rest of her life. I am hoping to raise enough money to cover 2-months worth and during that time do everything I can come hell or high water to get this medicine covered.
My mother retired this January after 30+ years of working as an Oncology nurse. The irony isn't lost on any of us. My father is also retired, from the NYPD and Continental Airlines. This was supposed to finally be their time. And now they’ve spend it trying to get the benefits my mother deserves. That they WORKED their entire lives for! This is how we treat the working class in America... but I won't start on that.
The thought of my mom going another day without this medicine is crushing me and my family. I am not myself and maybe now many of you understand why I haven’t been these past few months. I can’t thank my family, friends, coworkers and bosses for their kindness and support. I have a beautiful tribe. And here is where I ask you for help and this isn’t easy. If you are able to donate any amount to help cover the cost of my mom’s medicine it would mean the world to me and my family. I want to give her the fighting chance she deserves. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Christine Russo
Organizer
Staten Island, NY
Mary Jane Russo
Beneficiary
