Help Jaimi Beat Her Cancer

HELP JAIMI BEAT HER CANCER!  Please "share" this......

Hello! My name is Braden Hogue. You may recognize my name or know me from the Truly Nolen company - I am a technician out of the Sierra Vista Office. However, that has nothing to do with this message.  I am reaching out to you now to ask for help for my sick, cancer-stricken wife, Jaimi Hogue. She used to work for the Sierra Vista Fire Department for nearly 15 years and was forced into early retirement a few years ago as she is disabled because she affected by cluster migraines, seizure disorder, and epilepsy. On top of all that, she is now suffering from cancer - Stage Three Laryngeal Cancer, to be exact.

Before I start, we would like to begin by saying thank you to all of the family and friends who have provided emotional support and ongoing prayers for us.  We really can't thank you enough!   There are only a handful of you who know of our situation, but now, we are putting it out there for everyone to see.  Hopefully everyone will be just as understanding.

This cancer battle started when she was diagnosed back in June 2016 with Stage Three Laryngeal Cancer  - some specialists have told us that it probably began with a subdermal subcantaneous cancer that she didn't know she had.   For the last few months she has been being treated with chemo and radiation therapy five days a week, which left her tired, weak, and all around feeling ill. And after all these treatments, she is still in a great deal of pain . Not only that, but I've had to watch her go from 135 healthy pounds to 85 to 95 pounds in a matter of a couple of weeks.

She has spent a lot of time in the hospital and has had several surgeries. One of the surgeries placed a feeding tube in her stomach where she can get her liquid-only diet. She is unable to swallow normally due to the location of the cancer/tumor. This tube is her only lifeline to sustenance and nourishment from a special dietary shake.

Her mind is sharp and she is still wanting to get things done, but these side effects have prevented her from completing even the simplest daily chores - even showering can be an effort.  I guess you could say she is somewhat "bed-ridden", uses a walker to get around the house and gets out only for her necessary appointments - which I drive her to because she is unable to do that right now.

The oncologists, radiologists and ENT doctors don't believe that the chemo and radiation are working to their satisfaction or quickly enough, so she is scheduled to have surgery at Banner UMC in Tucson on or around January 12 to remove the tumor.  The "Tumor Board" in Tucson will be meeting on January 4 to make a final determination, but it looks like we will be packing our toothbrushes and jammies for a week long, or longer, stay in the hospital.  I will be staying with her the whole time she is there.  If you're in the area, stop by.  The company of someone other that doctors or nurses would be a real joy!

On top of everything else, we were told a couple of weeks ago by our oncologist that if the surgery can not be performed or is not successful, she believes Jaimi only has about another year to live.  Well, she is willing to fight against this "diagnosis" because 49-years old is too young to die, too soon for me to lose my wife and too early for her sons to lose their mother.  She still has a lot to give and we would all like to see her back to her happy and healthy self!

She currently has Medicare which covers 80% of the medical costs which include doctors, specialists, treatments, surgeries, lab work, special medical equipment needs, and necessary medications.  We are responsible for the balance.  Although 80% may seem like a lot, the outrageous expenses of all of the treatments and everything else involved, 80% is merely a "drop in the bucket" - literally!

We have also found out that Jaimi will need in-home nurses care after she returns home from the surgery, which creates another whole bundle of expenses.  Medicare is very particular about what is and isn't covered as well as how many visits are allowed.  A lot of this may end up being out of pocket for us.  This will include a nurse, physical therapist, CNA, and a speech therapist to help me learn to speak again in case her voice box is compromised during surgery.

Bills are coming in the mail on nearly a daily basis and the pile is getting larger.  Sure would be nice to have some cards, letters or other words of support.  Anything other than folks needing their money.  Don't get me wrong - I am greatful for everything the doctors have done (and are doing) to help and it is worth every penny if it is beneficial to her overall health in the future, but it is just very overwhelming right now.

I have been on the Family Medical Leave since last October in order to care for Jaimi.  Thank you Truly Nolen for allowing me this opportunity!  However, I have not received a paycheck during these few months - FMLA is an unpaid leave.  So needless to say we are struggling in a big way.  Just trying to take care of day-to-day expenses such as food, electricity, gas, rent, etc. has depleted all of our savings.  We are truly struggling financially and just trying to keep our heads above water.

I will need to go back to work soon - sometime after Jaimi's surgery.  I really need and want to keep my job and as I am the sole provider for our family, I need to to bring a paycheck home again.

You're probably wondering what our plans are for the money that we earn through "gofundme".  Well, at this time, I am requesting donations in  hopes of achieving a goal of at least $50,000 to help cover existing bills we have a accumulated when this started with a little wiggle room for anything unexpected.  It also may help pay for some necessities as mentioned before -food, utilities, rent, etc.  However, we have not yet taken into consideration the cost of the upcoming surgery and hospital stay - this may put us over the $50,000 mark.

We would like to thank you in advance for your kindness and anything  you can help with.  Every penny and each prayer is greatly appreciated by us both.  God bless you all!  Thank you for taking the time to read this and your help in making Jaimi's recovery a reality.

With each donation, you will HELPJAIMI BEAT HER CANCER!

Again, many, many, many thanks to all of you who can find it in your hearts to help us out.

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