Juanita Rodriguez
Donation protected
It was a regular slightly overcast day on Feb 8th, 2017 when I finally took our mom, Juanita Rodriguez to the emergency room. Since moving to Frankfort from Bowling Green just weeks earlier, a very sharp pain had developed in her neck. The situation had degraded to a point where the neck muscles were constantly spasming, rendering her in need of assistance for most daily activities and barely able to sleep or sit. This was enough of a sign that the condition was worsening and in need of medical attention.
This thinking led our mother to an emergency room for the first time since I was born, nearly 40 years ago. After being in the hospital for a brief time, the Physician's Assistant ordered a catscan to try to determine the source of the extreme pain. While waiting for the results, our minds quietly analyzed the options- torn muscle, bulging disc, or something equally insignificant. When the Physicians assitant returned, he was obviously uncomfortable and nervous, a feeling that was quickly spread throughout the room. He proceeded to inform my mother and I that she was suffering from a fractured C2 vertebra, which posed an immediate danger to the spinal cord, which needed to be stabilized asap. He continued with his diagnosis very matter of factly, as he said" We see lesions on the bones in your neck and the raidologist thinks they are consistent with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer." I will never forget looking at mom and exchanging the suprised, almost astonished look of "Really?" Without saying a word, we both began digesting the weight of the words we had just heard, though neither of us were able to comprehend what this would mean.
Our mom, Juanita, has a very serious and rare form of cancer that affects the bone marrow and, in turn, the blood, which then usually manifests in the bones. The affected bone mass is deteriorated by the bone cancer from within until it is noticed by the host or their physician, usually in the form of a pathological fracture (different than a traumatic fracture). 1% of cancer diagnosis involves MM and it is still a relatively new disease. The main stream treatments offered (radiation/chemotherapy), as with most cancers, are still highly questionable as to their efficacy. My mom- the massage therapist, healer, giver of life, devoted mother, teacher of wisdom, happy grandmother, community leader, and unconditional lover of all humans and life in general- has cancer. We now are faced with one of the largest challenges in life, to help a loved one overcome a serious disease. We will educate and inform ourselves as much as possible about the available treatment options and what is known about the disease. More importantly, we will focus on increasing our awareness of how the body heals itself and how to best facilitate the body's immune system to do exactly what it has been doing since the dawn of human existence. We will focus on every aspect of holistic healing- physical, emotional and spiritual.
After a 6 day hospital stay, complete with room service and around the clock care at UK Healthcare, she racked up over a $35,000 bill. This was only for a 6 day stay and a firm diagnosis. This does not include separate doctors' bills (oncologist, hematologist, internal medicine, radiologist, etc.) for this same visit, or any future treatments, appointments, procedures, therapies, labs or doctor visits, of which there will be numerous. After her insurance kicked in, over $17K remains her responsibility. We have spent the last several weeks exploring our financial assistance options. The options available are very limited and quite difficult to successfully navigate. And so, we have come to you, our family, our friends and our community. Any amount will help and there is no donation too small. We understand the value of helping each other out, especially in these times of need. In addition to financial help, we only ask that you think of, pray for, and envision a happy and healthy Juanita Rodriguez who will be an example of love and healing for others afflicted with this disease. Help us prove that healing is a holistic endeavor, only working when the whole body, mind, and spirit are engaged. Thank you all so much for the love, the light and the happiness you continue to share in our lives!
This thinking led our mother to an emergency room for the first time since I was born, nearly 40 years ago. After being in the hospital for a brief time, the Physician's Assistant ordered a catscan to try to determine the source of the extreme pain. While waiting for the results, our minds quietly analyzed the options- torn muscle, bulging disc, or something equally insignificant. When the Physicians assitant returned, he was obviously uncomfortable and nervous, a feeling that was quickly spread throughout the room. He proceeded to inform my mother and I that she was suffering from a fractured C2 vertebra, which posed an immediate danger to the spinal cord, which needed to be stabilized asap. He continued with his diagnosis very matter of factly, as he said" We see lesions on the bones in your neck and the raidologist thinks they are consistent with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer." I will never forget looking at mom and exchanging the suprised, almost astonished look of "Really?" Without saying a word, we both began digesting the weight of the words we had just heard, though neither of us were able to comprehend what this would mean.
Our mom, Juanita, has a very serious and rare form of cancer that affects the bone marrow and, in turn, the blood, which then usually manifests in the bones. The affected bone mass is deteriorated by the bone cancer from within until it is noticed by the host or their physician, usually in the form of a pathological fracture (different than a traumatic fracture). 1% of cancer diagnosis involves MM and it is still a relatively new disease. The main stream treatments offered (radiation/chemotherapy), as with most cancers, are still highly questionable as to their efficacy. My mom- the massage therapist, healer, giver of life, devoted mother, teacher of wisdom, happy grandmother, community leader, and unconditional lover of all humans and life in general- has cancer. We now are faced with one of the largest challenges in life, to help a loved one overcome a serious disease. We will educate and inform ourselves as much as possible about the available treatment options and what is known about the disease. More importantly, we will focus on increasing our awareness of how the body heals itself and how to best facilitate the body's immune system to do exactly what it has been doing since the dawn of human existence. We will focus on every aspect of holistic healing- physical, emotional and spiritual.
After a 6 day hospital stay, complete with room service and around the clock care at UK Healthcare, she racked up over a $35,000 bill. This was only for a 6 day stay and a firm diagnosis. This does not include separate doctors' bills (oncologist, hematologist, internal medicine, radiologist, etc.) for this same visit, or any future treatments, appointments, procedures, therapies, labs or doctor visits, of which there will be numerous. After her insurance kicked in, over $17K remains her responsibility. We have spent the last several weeks exploring our financial assistance options. The options available are very limited and quite difficult to successfully navigate. And so, we have come to you, our family, our friends and our community. Any amount will help and there is no donation too small. We understand the value of helping each other out, especially in these times of need. In addition to financial help, we only ask that you think of, pray for, and envision a happy and healthy Juanita Rodriguez who will be an example of love and healing for others afflicted with this disease. Help us prove that healing is a holistic endeavor, only working when the whole body, mind, and spirit are engaged. Thank you all so much for the love, the light and the happiness you continue to share in our lives!
Organizer and beneficiary
Birch Bragg
Organizer
Frankfort, KY
Juanita Rodriguez
Beneficiary
