Help Hana Survive Cancer

In October of 2022, I severely injured both my ankles in the same week. My whole life changed. This wasn’t the first harrowing injury and health struggle I have gone through, but it has been the hardest to endure. Today it is March 27th, 2024. I am still enduring it, along with my worsening, pre-existing chronic illnesses. I am in a wheelchair and fighting for my life, every day. Now get this, it actually gets worse. In December of 2023, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. If that wasn’t bad enough, I recently found out I have a BRAF Mutation in this cancer. This means my cancer is aggressive. Now if THAT wasn’t enough, the ENT (Ear Neck & Throat Specialist) is concerned about my lymph nodes. He says the one near my cancer looks suspicious. The cancer may have metastasized to the lymph nodes, and if one is involved, others may be. You see, they run on chains, throughout the entire body.

Surgery: My surgery is April 9th, 2024. I am absolutely terrified. Why? For so many reasons. I have been chronically ill and chronically injured over and over again. My ankles have been injured 4 times in 9 years. All long-term. The last two lasted a year before I could walk again. My latest double injury continues to severely incapacitate me in my daily life. I cannot lift anything without consequence. I can’t do my own laundry, vacuum my home, get from point A to point B without complications. The list goes on. Pain is an understatement. Debilitation is my reality. And please trust me when I say I am doing everything I can to beat this- medically, physically, financially & holistically.

Medical History: Leading up to the cancer diagnosis, I had been consistently sickly and uncertain as to why, although I had my own theories. My assumption has always been hypothyroidism related. Why? Because since I was 26, I struggled with the symptoms of Hashimotos, which runs in both sides of my family. Was I surprised there was cancer in my thyroid? No, shocked and horrified, but not surprised. It actually made sense based on everything I was feeling intuitively about my thyroid. I also have fibromyalgia and will be evaluated soon for chronic fatigue syndrome. I have a positive ANA marker on my bloodwork for the last decade, which could also indicates an autoimmune condition of the connective tissues. My body has given out on me many times over the years for no clear reason, leaving me on temporary disability a number of times in the last decade.

This is a small look into my extremely impossible reality. By the grace of God I have kept my job, kept my home, although, hardly able to pay the main bills- such as rent, phone bill and car loan. Everything else is in the red, like PG&E, Propane, piling medical bills, Student Debt, Credit Card Debt and Car work debt. Today I was forced to apply for an 11 thousand dollar loan that may not be approved because being unable to pay all my bills has resulted in a lowered credit score. In the past I always kept it above 700. I have worked really hard to keep afloat. Now here I am on the brink of financial ruin, medical ruin and physical ruin… asking you, to please read my story. Please imagine for a second, loosing your ability to walk, run, jump, lift or do anything able-bodied…with no family to back you up or give you a cushion to help you through a hard time. I have kept myself barely above water by the compassionate help of friends and the compassionate help I’ve given myself. Thank you for hearing my story. God Bless you and take care.

~Hana