Winnie and Mommy Medicial Fund
Donation protected
In June 2015 after becoming very ill, I went to the doctor a check up. I found out I was six weeks pregnant and was told that an abnormal cyst was found in my breast. I was sent to have an emergency biopsy the very next day. I had a gut feeling that something was not right, the breast surgeon even told me, "I know the results are not good but we will know for sure in three days." When I went in for my follow up appointment on the following Tuesday, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. In layman's terms the cancer had spread to 2 or more lymph nodes and is fueled by hormones. Keep in mind, that I am pregnant and my hormones are raging.
In that moment I had to make some tough decisions. The doctors immediately advised that I abort my first and more than likely only child so that my treatment plan would not be impeded. I made a selfless decision and decided to keep my child but search for other doctors. After weeks of being turned down by different hospitals and doctors because no one wanted to work on a pregnant cancer patient with MediCaid. I felt defeated and almost gave up but continued to work everyday and pray.
http://s.iktmmny.com/click?v=VVM6MTA0MTMwOjEzODk2OmNhbmNlciBjZW50ZXJzOjZhYTk2MjM2YzZiMzdlN2Y5Y2JlMzlkNzY4ZTM4NzE0OnotMjQwMS03MjI2MTEyNTpmdW5kcy5nb2Z1bmRtZS5jb206Mjk3NjQ5OmRhMjYxZThhYzY2NzZkZWVjOTdmOTQwOTY4ZWEyODllOjgzYzdiODJlZDcwYTRmZTlhZTFiZmI4ZWE4OTA1ZTZhOjE6ZGF0YV9zcyw3Njh4MTMwNDtkYXRhX3JjLDQ7ZGF0YV9mYixubzs6NTQzMjk0OQ&subid=g-72261125-90e846243cb449bfba6c8a04a8ac6a1c-&data_ss=768x1304&data_rc=4&data_fb=no&data_tagname=A&data_ct=text_only&data_clickel=link
One day a client whom I hadn't see in months came in to get a haircut and noticed my energy was very low. I kept a smile on my face and told her I was great. She replied by saying, "I'm a doctor and I know something is wrong. If you confide in me, I might be able to help you." I literally broke down and between sobs told her my story. She lovingly told me to give her a few days so she could try to call in some favors to her fellow doctor friends. Weeks past and my nervousness increased, my other doctors had me scheduled for lumpectomy because they refused to give a pregnant woman chemotherapy.
After what seemed like years, my guardian angel called with a list of doctors who had agreed to take my case. Let's not forget that I was previously turned away from this same hospital. Grateful is an understatemen when it comes to expressing my gratitude. During my second opinion with my new doctors, I found out it was more than just have a cyst. In fact, my entire breast was filled with cancer cells and I would need chemotherapy to shrink the cells. Had I gone through with lumpectomy, the cancer would have spread aggressively and I would be preparing for the end. I was in a state of shock and amazement for quite some time, I was now at the same facility getting ready to schedule my appointments for chemotherapy at the same facility that denied me because of insurance. That day I knew life is all about the connections you make and the people whom are in your corner. I just finished my first round of treatments and I am on Number 3 of my second round of 12.
Thankfully, my baby is healthy and I am so happy I made the selfless decision to keep my child. I now know that I won't be able to have anymore kids. They will induce me and take my baby in the middle of December. Just 2 weeks post delivery, I will have a double mastectomy. The treatment plan is to continue with a year plus of chemotherapy and radiation. My cancer has been linked to genetics, passed to me by my father whom had type of cancer but coincidentally died from it. Radiation with chemotherapy is the only way to kill the cancer cells with the hope that it won't come back. Due to my current medical condition I can no longer work. The new chemo has major side effects, I do not feel it is wise to put myself and clients at risk. I was denied disability and once I deliver my child I will lose my current insurance. I now have to figure out payment for treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, breast surgeon visits, and surgery. I know this journey will be very hard especially with a baby on the way but I'm so ready to conquer this journey and tell my story to inspire others.
In that moment I had to make some tough decisions. The doctors immediately advised that I abort my first and more than likely only child so that my treatment plan would not be impeded. I made a selfless decision and decided to keep my child but search for other doctors. After weeks of being turned down by different hospitals and doctors because no one wanted to work on a pregnant cancer patient with MediCaid. I felt defeated and almost gave up but continued to work everyday and pray.
http://s.iktmmny.com/click?v=VVM6MTA0MTMwOjEzODk2OmNhbmNlciBjZW50ZXJzOjZhYTk2MjM2YzZiMzdlN2Y5Y2JlMzlkNzY4ZTM4NzE0OnotMjQwMS03MjI2MTEyNTpmdW5kcy5nb2Z1bmRtZS5jb206Mjk3NjQ5OmRhMjYxZThhYzY2NzZkZWVjOTdmOTQwOTY4ZWEyODllOjgzYzdiODJlZDcwYTRmZTlhZTFiZmI4ZWE4OTA1ZTZhOjE6ZGF0YV9zcyw3Njh4MTMwNDtkYXRhX3JjLDQ7ZGF0YV9mYixubzs6NTQzMjk0OQ&subid=g-72261125-90e846243cb449bfba6c8a04a8ac6a1c-&data_ss=768x1304&data_rc=4&data_fb=no&data_tagname=A&data_ct=text_only&data_clickel=link
One day a client whom I hadn't see in months came in to get a haircut and noticed my energy was very low. I kept a smile on my face and told her I was great. She replied by saying, "I'm a doctor and I know something is wrong. If you confide in me, I might be able to help you." I literally broke down and between sobs told her my story. She lovingly told me to give her a few days so she could try to call in some favors to her fellow doctor friends. Weeks past and my nervousness increased, my other doctors had me scheduled for lumpectomy because they refused to give a pregnant woman chemotherapy.
After what seemed like years, my guardian angel called with a list of doctors who had agreed to take my case. Let's not forget that I was previously turned away from this same hospital. Grateful is an understatemen when it comes to expressing my gratitude. During my second opinion with my new doctors, I found out it was more than just have a cyst. In fact, my entire breast was filled with cancer cells and I would need chemotherapy to shrink the cells. Had I gone through with lumpectomy, the cancer would have spread aggressively and I would be preparing for the end. I was in a state of shock and amazement for quite some time, I was now at the same facility getting ready to schedule my appointments for chemotherapy at the same facility that denied me because of insurance. That day I knew life is all about the connections you make and the people whom are in your corner. I just finished my first round of treatments and I am on Number 3 of my second round of 12.
Thankfully, my baby is healthy and I am so happy I made the selfless decision to keep my child. I now know that I won't be able to have anymore kids. They will induce me and take my baby in the middle of December. Just 2 weeks post delivery, I will have a double mastectomy. The treatment plan is to continue with a year plus of chemotherapy and radiation. My cancer has been linked to genetics, passed to me by my father whom had type of cancer but coincidentally died from it. Radiation with chemotherapy is the only way to kill the cancer cells with the hope that it won't come back. Due to my current medical condition I can no longer work. The new chemo has major side effects, I do not feel it is wise to put myself and clients at risk. I was denied disability and once I deliver my child I will lose my current insurance. I now have to figure out payment for treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, breast surgeon visits, and surgery. I know this journey will be very hard especially with a baby on the way but I'm so ready to conquer this journey and tell my story to inspire others.
Organizer
Whitney DeeRose
Organizer
Smyrna, GA
