Debbie Baker Medical Expenses Fund
Donation protected
Deb's story.....
Deb had started having pain in her stomach, affecting her appetite and Hawaiian vacation. After a visit with her doctor, she was advised to see gynecological oncologist, Lisa N. Abaid, MD, in Newport Beach. This visit was all but standard when Deb was told that she'd need to have surgery the following day to remove a large tumor that was possibly cancerous. She checked into the hospital that night, only to wait almost 24 hours to have a surgery that would remove a 10lb tumor, an infected appendix, and also to complete a full hysterectomy. Following the surgery, Dr. Abaid greeted the family with news that no one wants to hear—the tumor was cancerous. A very hard pill to swallow, but even harder in this situation because they didn't know where the tumor had originated. The options: ovaries or appendix.
This wouldn't be the only hurdle that Deb would have to overcome this week.
Just when she was dominating recovery—eating three full meals, walking laps like a champ, and feeling great—she got an infection, and it had nothing do with her surgery. The infection came from the IV in her arm. She was expected to go home after three days because of her stellar progress, and now she had to have another surgery. Fast-forward another week, and Deb was finally getting to leave the hospital, two surgeries later.
On her last day at Hoag, she met with another oncologist to go over her cancer diagnosis and what she was to look forward to in 2015. The doctor revealed that the tumor originated in her appendix—a cancer that makes up 0.5% of all cancer. Though it is a very rare form of cancer, Deb has a great chance to beat this. The treatment will be aggressive, and maybe even experimental, but the combination of excellent doctors, the support of family and friends, and her tough-as-nails personality leaves no doubt that Deb will win this battle.
Aside from all of this, Debbie and Greg had set up an insurance plan not long before she had to go into the hospital. The only problem is that it wouldn't start until January 1, 2015, but they had no choice—the tumor had to be removed. Their insurance will cover all medical costs going forward, but the Baker's are now facing massive medical bills from Deb's 10-day stint at Hoag. We wanted to reach out to our family and friends to ask for help with these medical bills.
Deb had started having pain in her stomach, affecting her appetite and Hawaiian vacation. After a visit with her doctor, she was advised to see gynecological oncologist, Lisa N. Abaid, MD, in Newport Beach. This visit was all but standard when Deb was told that she'd need to have surgery the following day to remove a large tumor that was possibly cancerous. She checked into the hospital that night, only to wait almost 24 hours to have a surgery that would remove a 10lb tumor, an infected appendix, and also to complete a full hysterectomy. Following the surgery, Dr. Abaid greeted the family with news that no one wants to hear—the tumor was cancerous. A very hard pill to swallow, but even harder in this situation because they didn't know where the tumor had originated. The options: ovaries or appendix.
This wouldn't be the only hurdle that Deb would have to overcome this week.
Just when she was dominating recovery—eating three full meals, walking laps like a champ, and feeling great—she got an infection, and it had nothing do with her surgery. The infection came from the IV in her arm. She was expected to go home after three days because of her stellar progress, and now she had to have another surgery. Fast-forward another week, and Deb was finally getting to leave the hospital, two surgeries later.
On her last day at Hoag, she met with another oncologist to go over her cancer diagnosis and what she was to look forward to in 2015. The doctor revealed that the tumor originated in her appendix—a cancer that makes up 0.5% of all cancer. Though it is a very rare form of cancer, Deb has a great chance to beat this. The treatment will be aggressive, and maybe even experimental, but the combination of excellent doctors, the support of family and friends, and her tough-as-nails personality leaves no doubt that Deb will win this battle.
Aside from all of this, Debbie and Greg had set up an insurance plan not long before she had to go into the hospital. The only problem is that it wouldn't start until January 1, 2015, but they had no choice—the tumor had to be removed. Their insurance will cover all medical costs going forward, but the Baker's are now facing massive medical bills from Deb's 10-day stint at Hoag. We wanted to reach out to our family and friends to ask for help with these medical bills.
Organizer
Matty Baker
Organizer
Newport Beach, CA