Support Sarit in Breast Cancer Treatment

Single mother fighting to overcome stage 4 Triple Negative Breast Cancer needs our help and support.

I was born in Poland and left the comfort of my small but close family to move to NY and pursue a brighter future with possibilities and more opportunities. I fell in love with the freedom and openness of America, it was here I found my Jewish identity and soul calling. I was able to combine my love of Judaism and passion for art through painting and teaching others how to bring out the inner artist.

I’ll never forget the day my life changed, my daughter was just 8 years old. I was working and living and working in New York, building a promising future for us. However, as soon as I heard the dreaded "C" word, my world came crashing down.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and further testing had revealed it spread from my breast to my lymph nodes. The doctor then sympathetically informed me I also had twelve tumors in my lungs. Completely consumed with shock and fear, all I could think about was my daughter's life and not mine.

I ended up receiving over 2 years of grueling chemotherapy treatments. Without family in the country, I had to rely on close friends to help me and my daughter through one of the most difficult years of my life. After enduring the grueling side effects and being left in a weakened state, we got the news that finally the cancer had become inactive. It felt like a miracle to have reached that point.

During this time, medical bills piled up, and the cost of post-treatment care became an additional burden.

Trying to recover and being unable to physically yet work, the financial struggles of trying to support myself and my daughter, medical expenses and the cost of necessary treatments added an enormous burden to my survival.

With a lot of determination, I slowly built up my strength and health.

Despite the challenges, I cherished the moments with my daughter when my parents visited me. We created beautiful memories together, and their presence brought immense happiness into my life. For a while, everything seemed hopeful and positive.

However, two years later, my worst fears resurfaced as the tumor began to rapidly grow again. The doubts started creeping into my mind and heart. "Why was this happening again? Was my previous effort not good enough? Am I being punished?" Yet, I found solace in the wisdom of the psalm I read, where King David questioned why God created madness, only to realize that it was that very madness that saved his life. Deep in my heart, I understood that I had to trust the process and believe that everything would ultimately be for my best.

The second round of chemotherapy proved even more challenging than the first. The treatment initially failed, prompting my doctor to double the dosage and introduce additional medications. My body painfully rejected these treatments, but eventually, the tumor shrunk back to its previous size. Encouraged by this progress, I made the courageous decision to undergo surgery, despite facing rejection from several surgeons due to the aggressive nature of the cancer and its spread to the lungs.

Fortunately, I was blessed to find a surgeon who remained optimistic and willing to operate.

She skillfully removed the tumor from my chest, and I felt a sense of relief and hope.

Along this arduous journey, I also had the fortune of meeting an amazing nutritionist with a specialization in oncology patients, she provided invaluable guidance on how to support my body before surgery and offered personalized supplements and treatments for my aftercare and long-term maintenance.

Amidst the financial struggle, these moments of hope, the support of loved ones, and the expertise of compassionate healthcare professionals provided a glimmer of light in the darkness of my cancer battle. They reminded me to never lose faith and to keep fighting, not only for my survival but for the happiness and well-being of those I loved.

The healing journey is not over and I need to continue fighting for my life. I am in desperate need of further treatments but the cost of my cancer treatments and medical bills have completely wiped out all my financial resources. It has become increasingly difficult to manage these financial challenges alone after going through surgery and another 6 months of chemotherapy.

My living situation is now in jeopardy as I am living on the bare minimum.

I had to move out and get cheaper place to live, I have been trying to start my life again but cancer is coming back after me once more, recent tests find enhancing masses in my breast again, and Im struggling to get a job where I could be working and also have time for medical treatment and recovery after it. Running from one doctor to other takes lots of energy and time. I don't have car which is a problematic in this case.

I humbly appeal to the kindness and generosity of others. I am setting up a fundraiser on GoFundMe in the hopes of receiving support to alleviate the financial burden caused by my cancer battle. The funds raised will go directly towards covering medical expenses, post-treatment care, and ongoing treatments necessary for my recovery. A portion will also go towards payment of my rent to secure my living stability, so we will not be forced to move.

Your support would not only provide much-needed financial relief but also serve as a source of encouragement and hope during this trying time. Any contribution, no matter the size, would make a tremendous difference in our life.

I understand that times are difficult for many, and there are numerous worthy causes for seeking assistance.

If you find it within your means to contribute or share my fundraiser with others who may be able to help, I would be eternally grateful. Together, we can make a significant impact and ease the financial struggle that accompanies my battle against cancer.

Thank you for considering my plea and for your unwavering support. Your generosity will not only provide financial assistance but also strengthen my determination to fight this disease and emerge victorious.

References:

Rabbi: Avraham Fisher

Oncologist: Azriel Hirschfeld

Surgeon: Nela Shapiro

Nutritionist: Adina Abergel [email redacted]

Sarit Dekundy: saritdekundy-art.com

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