Eileen McCoy Help 2 pay bills during recovery

Update June 16, 2022

I AM CANCER FREE!!! My healing journey continues as I transition to full recovery. I share a deep respect for cancer survivors and their caregivers, a deep love for anyone who has faced a loss, a deep appreciation for those whose hearts move into action as they see a need.

I saw blessing upon blessing through those of you who stepped up by providing a meal, sharing an uplifting prayer, visiting me, meeting up for coffee, providing groceries, pointing me to resources, sending a card, sharing a meal together, going for a short walk, helping me build physical strength, providing financial support, giving me a phone call, lighting up a candle, sharing a healing devotional, devoting yourself by becoming a daily prayer warrior, providing gentle and caring medical care, sending care baskets, comfort blankets, motivational frames, flowers, journals, great reads, or cancer cookbooks.

In this story, I have an Angels Hall of Fame, your names are all inducted. I journaled everything because I didn’t want to miss anything that had God’s fingerprints all over it. Miracles took place and continue to take place week after week.

 

·        Over 370+ of you walked alongside including family, friends, coworkers, nurses and doctors

·        140 families from church supported my family (not just my current home church, past ones too)

·        127 families contributed financially with so much love and care

·        65+ Colleagues from work sent their love and more

·        57+ of our Mariners Singles FB Family encouraged me and prayed for me

·        46 friendly smiles greeted me at my door and paid me a visit

·        42 of you (that I know of) with much love and devotion were my daily prayer warriors

·        39 families provided meals right after each of my 3 surgeries

·        34 of you showered me with special gifts which made all the memories even more fond

·        35+ of you were part of my direct medical care team

 

I saw angels who came alongside to walk me through cancer and saw God’s love through each one.

 

·        Nurses and doctors who tended to my care in the most genuine and gentle care, always encouraging me to take baby steps. They spoke of healing even when I couldn’t see it or feel it

·        Families who brought not just a meal, but packed it with extra goodies

·        Prayers were lifted up by friends and family throughout the US, across different countries.

·        I saw, heard or read about some of you who cried at the announcement of my diagnosis. You warmed my heart.

·        Post-surgery some of you came by to help me “learn” how to walk again

·        Many stepped in to support me financially, even before asking. Some who gave were among the most humble and purest of hearts

·        A friend who owns a restaurant, blessed me with delicately prepared broths to be in peak condition for the next chemo infusion

Some whom I have never met, only know them by name. Some remain anonymous who gave from their hearts and supported me in different ways.

I appreciate any and all continued support - it means a lot during this transition!!!!

Blessings to you all!
Eileen

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Jan 17, 2022: Treatments on hold

Hello dear family and friends! Everything is on hold. In climbing this mountain, I had to take a break. After the 5th infusion, my body wasn’t strong enough to make it through another one. Then came Covid, and I have been recovering since. Thankfully, I only have a lingering cough left. More tests are being done to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment up to this point. The next steps will be determined in a couple of weeks. I haven’t fully crossed this bridge, but I sense in my heart God’s healing and that I’m coming back around.

This has been a difficult journey. As I think things through, we all most likely have had a “cancer” type of situation in our lives. These life-changing incidents have the power to change our perspective and touch us in profound ways. Some of us seem to face more than our fair share of these types of struggles. It may seem unfair. Even so, I ask why not me?

Why wouldn’t God spare me from experiencing the pain and suffering? What is so special about me that I should be given a free pass? It’s not that God doesn’t care, that He can’t, or that He’s out to get me for some wrongdoing of mine. We live in a broken world, and things are bound to get broken. I’m not above anyone else, and God doesn’t love me any less. In fact, I have found that in situations like these, He is closest. And if you know my life story, you would see that here once again, His healing hand has been at work the entire time. In fact, had He spared me from going through this experience, it would have robbed me from witnessing incredible acts of kindness which have filled my heart with the deepest of joys, the type that forward spring renewal from deep within.

I’m often asked, how have I seen God work in my healing journey? What have I learned? My answer is short and simple, yet it reflects His immense love. What has left me in awe is the way each and everyone has shown up. And I love how these questions have been asked in the past tense. God allowed me to see angels all around me and has further grown a heart of compassion in me.

So even if I wasn’t healed, cancer could not take away beautiful moments and the heaven-sent gift of you. Even if cancer seemingly had the upper hand in the battle, all the love from angels around me could not have diminished. Even if I had to experience loss of life, God would embrace my children and me with love all the more. I have been the one to get cancer, and I have felt that I walked through the valley of death.
But this story is really about YOU. How you showed up and showed me, love. My children and I get to tell everyone we know about you. We couldn’t deny a living God loves us even when it seems so dark. He displayed His glory through ministering angels…you. Your hearts were touched to move into action and made Biblical truths and promises come to life.

At the onset of my healing journey, this verse came to life. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”2 Cor 12:9


Blessing,
Eileen





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UPDATE!!!!!! 10.7.21

Eileen is so grateful for allllll the support she has received and is feeling supported. She has had two blessings: one is the hospital forgave her $3500 deductible, two is there was a benevolence fund that paid for one months rent so it reduces her need, PRAISE God!

She is asking for prayer for the following:
1. Extreme weakness from having most of her colon removed
2. Sever anemia
3. Mental fogginess
4. Heat rash over whole body from chemo
5. Back aches and pains from chemo/tension in body
6. Perserverance on a daily basis

She is not able to take "Advil" so she has to experience it and it can be exhausting and mentally challenging.
Thanks so much!!
Blessings!

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Update from Eileen!!!! 8.23.21

What a way to start the week! Today, I received a gift straight from the heart from my little niece, Reagan. On her bike, she went grocery shopping with her own money and prepared me a meal with her own hands. The menu, Spinach Strawberry Salad and Tumeric Tea with special cancer-fighting ingredients and the most essential ingredient - LOVE!

This week, I am preparing myself for my first infusion on Thursday 8/26. Thank you for the countless angels who have given me all the heads up on what to expect and all the items I will need in my toolbox as I step into the next phase of my journey. The most amazing friends and family surround me. This kind of love fills my heart with joy and lifts my spirits, giving me the confidence I need to face this phase head-on.

Eileen


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Hi! I am a friend of Eileen McCoy and she has recently been diagnosed with stage 3b cancer. She will be having a port put in on August 13th - and start chemo following for 6 months. She currently is the single mom of 3 pretty cool kids (Andrew, Kelsey, Elizabeth) and also cares for her mother (Olivia). They live in Irvine and need our help and support during this challenge.

Here is what she is facing.

-Disability only covers 66% of her salary while she cannot work for the next 6 months during chemo leaving a deficit of $3200 per month.

-She has been out of work for 2 months now, return to work date is set at April 1st 2022 (total of 9 months reduced salary).

-She also has to pay $600 out of pocket per month for insurance coverage while she is in treatment

-She owes $2700 for her last hospital stay / surgery (July)

-Her rental company is raising her rent another $125 per month starting next month (nice huh)

-She has approximately $2500 in upcoming co-pays and fees etc... (Hospital forgave 10.7.21!!)

This puts the total need at around $39k (reduced 10.7.21 to $33k due to hospital forgiveness and one month rent paid by benevolence fund)

It would be great to help her out during this time so she can focus on recovery and not the stress of being short on her bills every month. ANYTHING helps! (and she is very grateful)

Eileen has faithfully served at Mariners Church in Irvine in multiple capacities and has a heart of absolute GOLD.

If you would like to make a direct donation through her V e n m o

@Eileen-McCoy-5

or Z e l l e

(email me and I will give you her phone number to look up her Z e l l e account )

Thank you for all you PRAYERS and SUPPORT of any kind during this time. She is VERY GRATEFUL and APPRECIATIVE.

Many blessings to you!
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CHEMO UPDATE 9.7.21 - A SPECIAL EMAIL from EILEEN for others in the BATTLE...



If you're into the details, here's what my angels have shared with me to make it through the side effects. I share it here in case you too can be an angel to someone facing this giant.


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Neuropathy: Cold packs on feet and hands during infusion keep the medicine getting to those parts of the body. This will help avoid NOT having to wear gloves when getting things out of the freezer or fridge.


Throat cold sensitivity: Chew on ice during infusion treatment. This will avoid or minimize pain as you swallow. Even room temp water will feel like shards of glass.


Chemical Detox: Try acupuncture, epsom salt baths, and mud packing.


Leg cramps/Aches: Leg Cramps with Quinine Sulfate by NatraBio. Heating pad or heated blanket day of infusion.


Sleep distruptions: If using Immunotherapy, steroids given to help fight infection, given will keep you up. Use Melatonin. Consider Balckout shades. Only use of red light recommended.


Nausea: Besides the prescribed nausea medicine, you may still feel sick to your stomach for a few days after. Eat small hearty meals. High protein. Bread or crackers to nibble on. Ginger is great but your system may not tolerate. Try peppermint tea and/or apply peppermint oil over temples, behind ears and neck area.


Heighten sense of taste and smell: Avoid being near kitchen, have linens washed without scents, aromas may make you nauseous, stick to foods that are bland. (i.e. Breakfast: Oatmeal, Cream of Rice, Lunch/Dinner: Light broths, mashed potatoes)


Loss of taste/smell: For some this will happen about 6th treatment.


Hair loss: Scalp will become very itchy. Use argan oil liberally and massage throughout scalp. Cover with silk hair wrap. Also consider using silk pillowcases. Aveno baby shampoo is recommended. 


Skin: Your skin will get very itchy and dry as well. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Use natural/baby body wash. Unscented. Nothing with dyes. Normal soap may feel like someone used a cheese grater on you. Use Aveeno moisturizing lotion and mix in with body oil.


Personal care: Chemotherapy meds are made to kill and destroy and coming out of your system will burn. Use of cotton liners, sensitive lubricants or lotions with a cooling effect, unscented or natural based body wipes will be helpful throughout area. You either have the runs or are plugged. Use Pepto Bismol or Senna. Over the length of treatment, you become extremely sensitive.


Dry Lips: Use Aquaphor


Chemo Brain is a real thing. You may get foggy and forgetful.


I experienced flu-like body chills and felt it in waves like an electric current. I also learned that I wasn't able to cry because doing so felt like getting lethal shots in each eye and feel each tiny artery swell up. 


I'm not going to lie...I moaned and moaned and barely had energy to move the first three days. Each day gets better and I fully appreciate the tiniest improvement from one day to the next.


Now it's a race between today and my next infusion to get my body replenished and strong for the next round. Hydration, supplements, natural juicing, fresh air, rest, a thankful heart and family time are in high gear.


Love,
Eileen & Family