Love for Leona

We all know just how fragile life can be. We know that our life can change in the matter of one single moment. Here is the story of Leona’s moment.

When Leona felt a lump in her right breast, she wasn’t immediately concerned. She thought that it would go away, but made an appointment on November 1, 2021 to see her doctor. After an ultrasound and mammogram, within hours she was told it was cancer, but a biopsy was needed to be sure.

On November 11th, 2021, Leona received the results of her biopsy. It was invasive ductal carcinoma and pathology concluded it was triple negative and stage 2 grade 3. The tumor is 2 cm. Very aggressive.

Very aggressive. When you hear “cancer” and “very aggressive” the punch to your gut is so incredible. It’s difficult to process how one moment everything seems fine, and the next, a new journey is forced on you.

You become a part of a community who knows suffering and who also provides amazing support. It’s a community you never want to join, and if you ever do, one you appreciate and respect.

Just months later, Leona has started an adjuvant treatment regiment where she’ll do chemotherapy prior to a double mastectomy and then chemotherapy after. The cancer is currently contained in her breast and has not metastasized.

Leona is married to Neal (and as a spouse to a cancer warrior myself, I can tell you, he needs your prayers!). They have Karleigh who is 8 and Trin who will be 3 this month.

From personal experience, I can tell you that Leona’s family needs many things. She needs prayers. She needs you to call/text and check on her (but don’t feel upset if she doesn’t feel up to responding). She needs meals. Even if it’s gift cards. She also needs to know that her world isn’t crashing down as a result of financial burden.

There are so many additional financial expenses one sees as a result of a cancer diagnosis. Even if insurance pays for many of the medical expenses, there are doctor’s appointments that require gas and food. There are additional expenses due to medications, other out-of-pocket expenses, and over-the-counter needs. If Neal is out of work to be with Leona or the kids, the vacation and sick time runs out almost immediately.

Leona’s journey is just beginning, and we ask for prayers that her journey is full of victories and strength. If you are able to help in other ways, please donate here at the GoFundMe page or if you’d like to help avoid fees, donations can be made to the following:

CashApp: $leonaflo

Venmo: @Leona-Floyd

PayPal: @leonalfloyd