Wendy's Fight Against Breast Cancer

My name is Rebecca, but I'm more commonly known as 'Becca. Aside from these,

one of my proudest titles is that of "Wendy's daughter".

This black-belt, 30+ year nurse and US Army veteran has given her life to those who have little to nothing to give in return, solely out of her love and passion for caring for others, including caring for her husband (my dad) during his battle with metastatic pancreatic cancer from 2013-2014, never wavering as a pillar of strength by his side until the day the good Lord called him home. Now, nearly 8 years after her life was altered in an unimaginable way as a widow, taking the loss of her companion and loving partner of nearly 25 years in the bravest way anyone could, it's her turn to be taken care of.

My mom was recently diagnosed with DCIS - ductal carcinoma in situ - with some growth to the surrounding tissue of her left breast after a routine mammogram in February of 2023. What started off as an optimistic "new year" was suddenly filled with secondary appointments, consults, procedures, opinions, new doctors, new facilities, and a new way of life. Since her initial diagnosis she has, after much deliberation, decided to pursue the the path of a lumpectomy with six weeks of 5-days-a-week radiation followed by lifelong estrogen-based medication to discourage reoccurence. At 58 years old, she is on the younger side for such a diagnosis, and while her prognosis is very positive at a present suspected Stage One tumor, there are still of course a number of concerns and stressors to weigh down the already heavy knowledge of being diagnosed with "The C Word".

I am creating this GoFundMe in hopes of alleviating the financial burden that has already reared it's ugly head in just the beginning stages of Wendy's cancer journey, along with providing regular updates on a larger platform as her story continues. At this time, she's had multiple appointments after her original routine mammogram, including but not limited to one biopsy, a secondary mammogram and ultrasound, an echocardiogram, two appointments with her oncologist and surgeon, a consult with her radiation oncologist, a lymphodema specialist consult, and multiple lab visits for preliminary bloodwork.

Each of the above have included out-of-pocket copays, ranging from $30 to $175, and that doesn't include what her insurance will not be able to cover. Though employed fulltime with the company she's insured by, these fees will continue to add up and will only be surmounted by the upcoming cost of her surgery, treatment and recovery. Within the company at which she is employed, she has been awarded intermittent leave at the price of her accrued PTO. While this is a luxury in the face of what she's going to need regarding time off, that bank will eventually run dry. That being said, my goal is to provide enough of a cushion for her to bravely fight this battle, as we have no doubt she will, but without the added villain of financial worry.

Continued updates will be provided as they're available, and any/all communication between either myself or the warrior herself are of course welcome. If my father, her late husband, taught us anything, it's that you may see yourself as a one-person-wolf-pack, but you will never fight alone.