ICANcer

‼️‼️‼️Cancer is a money eating machine‼️‼️‼️
N💰💰m, n💰💰m, like the Cookie Monster with cookies.

SIX months after my diagnosis, our savings account had been completely emptied. $25,000 gone. With deductibles, copays, coinsurance, time off work, traveling for second opinions, hotels, gas, food while out of town, and the list goes on, and on….

I felt a huge burden of guilt, as I take care of our families finances. Was I going to bankrupt our family trying to stay alive? Where we going to lose what we had worked very hard for all our adult lives? Then came the thoughts of being a burden on my family. Cancer is just as much a mind game as it is a physical one.

They of course didn’t see it that way but you couldn’t tell me that. One of my family members offered to do a GoFundMe which I said no to, but they did it anyway. A close friend offered to to a raffle and I said no to that as well, but she quietly started collecting items anyway.

When you are used to being the one who helps people and don’t want to take your family/friends money it seems wrong. However a pastor said to me, by letting them help you, when they have no control of what you are going through, that is being blessing to them.

I had never thought of it like that. I was thankful both people didn’t listen to me and were able to help raise funds for our family. The money raised went straight to my medical bills and whatever was needed.

Cancer humbles you in many ways.

I’ve always been adventurous, fly by the seat of my pants explorer. I think that is one cruel thing for me about cancer. I can’t just leave the house anymore without putting thought major thought into it.

Gone are the days of just hopping in the car on a whim & ending up wherever the road takes me.
I need my pain pump, my heart monitor - with those 2 things specifically I need my power pack depending how long I’ll be gone. I have to have my emergency medication & blah blah blah!

If I’m going on an overnight trip I have to pack day & night time medications. Autopap for my heart. Am I going to be waking long distances? I can’t do that. Do I need my wheelchair? Then do need my indoor walker, outdoor walker and cane depending on my stability needs.

Sometimes I feel like I am running a medical equipment store out of my house. It is overwhelming most days.

Through the grace of God I am still here, able to use this lifesaving equipment, in some instances. I count my blessings because they are plentiful!

I have an intrathecal pain pump, which is surgically placed device that delivers medication directly to the fluid surrounding your spinal cord made by Medtronic.
I can also give myself extra boluses of medication using the handheld communicator and Personal Therapy Manager. Pentec is the agency that comes to my home to makes any changes my doctor makes.
Pentec has a financial assistance program to help offset the cost. Attached is the form if you happen to use it or need it.