strength Category

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Radio Interview, Its Your Health – Done!

The interview on “Its Your Health” radio was this morning.
A few minutes ago.
Wow.
The time flew
and there was so much I didn’t get to say.

Information that I wanted to share.
Information about my situation.
Information that I have gone through
Information that may help others.
.

My monthly medical bills – depending on what tests I need done – are between $15,000 and $17,000.
Yes – Per.Month.
The cost for the 5 medications that I am on is almost $15,000 per month
Monthly infusion and blood tests – tack on an additional $400.
PET / CT scan adds $1,200 every 3 months.

With the PAPs (Patient Assistance Programs) that I am qualified for, my monthly medicine bill goes “down” to $4,500, plus the cost of the tests.

Not easy for a currently unemployed temp secretary who is doing it all alone…

I really wanted to touch on the PAPs – Patient Assistance Programs. These are SO Important!! These are “offered” by the drug companies for people in need – that would be me. If you are in need, PLEASE contact the drug company and ask if there is a Patient Assistance Program that you would qualify for. Most drugs have some form of a PAP.

When you go for appointments or tests, Be Sure to tell them your story – that you have no insurance, that your insurance doesn’t cover this or that or whatever. Most medical facilities offer discount rates for people in need.

As I said – now is Not the time for pride.
Ask for help.

There are people out there who WILL help you.
People who Want to help.
Regardless if you are a precious toddler, a young adult, or – like me – an “old fat gal”.
People Will Help.

I am here, asking for help.

I have gone through my savings and the small inheritance I got from my Grandfather ($30,000) to purchase a home. My own home. My first home.
Gone.

Now I am dependent on fundraisers and donations.
The kindness of Family, Friends and Strangers.

The kindness of people helping.

Each month is a struggle to pay for my meds.
Each month is terror that I will not be able to afford to continue to fight this battle.
I do Not want to die.
Not yet…

Thank You So Very Much to Lisa Davis! and “Its Your Health” radio for giving me the opportunity to get my info out there!!

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Sunday, November 15th, 2009

Warriors In Battle

Warriors
In Battle.

We are Warriors
In Battle.

I see
Warriors
Fellow Warriors
Stand up to battle
To battle
Again and again
Fighting the fight
Of life.

I see
This horrific
Battle
Has claimed
Many Warriors
Good Warriors
Strong Warriors
Beaten
Broken.

I see
Warriors
Battling
Battling on
I stand with them
Battling
Battling on.

I see
Warriors
Dropping
The sword
Dropping
To their
Knees
Dropping
Falling
Fallen, beaten, weary
Struggling
To battle.

I see
Warriors
Rising, weary, determined
Determined to fight
Another day
To fight
Another battle
Again
Another battle
Again.

Warriors
In battle.

I Am A Warrior.

I Am In Battle.

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Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Help for a friend- Lone*Star Speed Zone

A Gentleman who I went to high school with (just a Few years ago) recently reconnected with me via Facebook. His daughter battled lymphoma in 2001 – she became a Warrior during her freshman year of college. Jeff, his wife and their 2 sons were right by her side as she battled and won! She is now happily married with 2 beautiful sons of her own.  What a True Blessing for their family!

Jeff found me via mutual FB Friends, and felt empathy for my situation. He has emailed me kind words of encouragement and prayers.

To help get my story “out there”, Jeff surprised me by posting my story on a forum that he is active on – Lone*Star Speed Zone. It is titled “Help for a friend, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month“.  I am very touched by this kind gesture.

Yes, boardgames are my passion, but my Dad is a “Gearhead” (eh – in high school, I believe we called it “motorhead”) and I was raised with horsepower under the hood – and Loved it!

Lone Star Speed Zone

Thanks, Jeff!!

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Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

A Mustard Seed

This evening I stumbled upon the blog of a friend.  I never knew she had one.

Now, I know this fight is tough I am in, and I have been trying to be positive, but also – due to time lost for a misdiagnosis – I do need to be realistic.  Reality is that many do not win this battle, and lost time is a huge factor for survival rate.  I lost over 8 months…

Reading her candid words chilled me, coming from  woman of such faith…

“death and health issues where I battle the most at being a good friend. i’ve really been just trying to give this one to God but sadly His timing sucks alot with this. I honestly can’t think of but one breast cancer survivor in my life. I can quicly name four who didn’t get to beat it. So here we are again praying for a miracle but the faith is now less than a mustard seed size.”

Less than a mustard seed of faith

“I tell you the truth,
if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mountain
move from here to there
and it will move,
and nothing will be impossible for you”.

So, Janna, I will carry a mustard seed… to remind myself to survive.

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Sunday, July 26th, 2009

Kingwood Underground – Thank You.

Thank You Very Much to the community of of Kingwood Underground who responded to Sheryl’s post about my situation.

You have No Idea how much strength I get from your prayers and kind words of encouragement.  And your donations to my cause will definitely help to ease my financial burden…

Your generosity is Much Appreciated!!

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Friday, July 24th, 2009

Tagline

I’ve started signing my emails, my blog comments, my BGG comments, anything I write with the tagline “Surviving breast cancer…”

I type this manually each time.

I’m not doing this to “advertise”.

I type this every time to remind myself:
I AM SURVIVING BREAST CANCER.

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Thursday, April 9th, 2009

Seeing Dragons

I have chemo today… and while my Fretmen have departed, last night I realized…

I have Dragons
Watching over me.

Regardless of all else that I have
Endured

Regardless of what has been ripped from me
Heartlessly

I see Dragons.
They have
Riders.

And they are
Protecting me.

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