A Helping Hand for Sue Nelson
Donation protected
Greetings! My name is Rebecca Eikenbary and I would like to set up this crowdfunding campaign to help support our sweet and talented friend Sue Nelson & family as they battle daily to overcome the struggles brought on by her Melanoma diagnosis in Aug 2021.
Who am I?
Sue and I have had the joy of playing and performing together in many orchestral groups around Indiana over the years and we fostered a deep friendship. Her kindness, selflessness, and natural musical talents are unparalleled and just a few traits that make Sue Nelson such an incredibly special soul.
What's the Situation?
Even though Sue is currently in home hospice care for Melanoma, that doesn't mean the medical bills have stopped rolling in from before hospice. Some past expenses were put on her personal credit card, gaining interest, others are outstanding and will accrue late fees. Unexpected fees continue to hit the family after they had a break-in that scared everyone, and left their front door mangled. (Everyone is safe, albeit shaken up thanks to the alarm and police response!)
Why are we asking for support from you?
I'm hoping that this fund will help alleviate some stress from Sue and her loved ones who are still battling insurance for coverage on multiple charges and the financial strain of unknown "out of network charges" all while trying to juggle general expenses, work, and caretaking for Sue, who is confined to her bed and has now exhausted all treatment options.
(Really...who is going to say "Please don't do this genetic test that might reveal something to save my loved one, because it isn't covered by insurance" or stop the ambulance to inquire if it is "Out-of-Network" transportation? )
Gary, Sue's awesome husband, has prioritized the comfort and caretaking of his wife. But that requires a decrease in working hours, as the amount of time & care Sue requires increases. Even with the help of the professional hospice nurses that come to the home, there are a lot of responsibilities that Gary is juggling as the primary caregiver and provider.
How will the money be used?
Any donation, no matter how large or small, will help Sue Nelon's family cover medical & living expenses and basic needs!
For a woman that would do anything for you and always goes the extra mile to help a friend or a stranger, let's work together and help support the family as they deal with the trials and stress of end-of-life hospice care and allow them to focus on what is important, the remaining time with a loved one.
Some Quick Facts about Sue's Medical Melanoma Journey:
- 7/30/21 initial podiatrist visit - referred by primary care physician
- 8/20/21 surgery performed by a podiatrist - melanoma detected from tissue samples
- 9/29/21 right groin lymph node biopsy – malignant cells detected
- 11/3/21 surgery on the right foot and right groin lymph node
- Sue had a wound vac on her foot after surgery.
- Sue has undergone 3 different major immunotherapy treatment plans (KEYTRUDA , YERVOY , OPDUALAG )
- The side effects sent her to the hospital with severe issues with her adrenal glands, which caused extremely low blood pressure.
- The ambulance transport was out of network.
- This was followed by a 5-7 month stay in assisted living/rehab.
- During this time Sue had a multitude of scans (MRI/PET/CAT) and was told by her insurance she couldn't have another PET scan, even at the dr request.
- 2 different genetic testing procedures (1 is denied by insurance and still in appeal)
- Their house has to be upgraded with a ramp, and wheelchairs.
- Sue's oncologist and pharmacist worked together to help get some medicine and treatments approved over the last year when insurance denied them, again.
Fundraising team (2)
Becca Ann
Organizer
Indianapolis, IN
Gary Nelson
Beneficiary
Rex Lagare
Team member