Help The Greens maintain stability through cancer treatment

1/6/25 update: hi all, Jaci here. We did so thankfully get one source of income back. I am employed and working 50+ hour weeks and able to finally cover most of our own living bills. After her second pet scan, we know that the chemo is working. The fluid has cleared from her left lung and the tumor is shrinking in size and intensity. We are so grateful for this news.

Just as the rest of us, we are back at ground zero with insurance deductibles with the new year. We will likely meet our deductible this week from chemo and our out of pocket max by Jess’s surgery (likely next month). Which in theory is great, but I don’t where that $6600 is coming from. To be transparent, we have racked up a good bit of CC bills and drained a good bit of our savings trying to keep up with everything. We are looking into sarcoma patient grants and other programs, but could really use some donations to help with the medical expenses we are beginning to incur. Sharing our story and this link with others in more comfortable financial situation than our own would be more helpful than you know

Hi there! My name is Jaci, and I've been married to my wife Jess since April of this year. If you are taking the time to read this in any capacity, I want to thank you for your love and support. It has already gotten us through what has been the hardest time of our lives so far.

As many of you know, I am facing my own chronic illness battle. I have been fighting Ankylosing Spondylitis and Fibromyalgia since 2017 and was diagnosed with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder this year. I have infusions every 4 weeks, had a hiatal hernia repair surgery in July, and a tonsillectomy scheduled for October 4. Jess has been my primary caretaker for the past year and has so gracefully taken on her role as a wife to a disabled person. While I am grieving my wife’s diagnosis and the caretaker I would be if I wasn’t disabled, I am also grieving my caretaker while she faces her own treatment. Our dynamic has been shook and we are learning our new normal.

Jess began having health complications that were ultimately misdiagnosed in mid July as acute pneumonia. After suspicion and additional testing from our incredibly attentive PCP and her referred pulmonologist, Jess had a biopsy done earlier this month of a 7cm tumor in her left lung that came back as a sarcomatoid neoplasm. We are waiting for molecular testing on the sample and her oncology team to confirm the official cancer diagnosis and staging, but as of now we know it is a rare, malignant tumor in the sarcoma family. We are thankful to be under the care of both AdventHealth in Orlando and Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa to ensure she is receiving the most urgent and advanced care.

To be matter of fact with you, neither of us ever wanted to ask for money from anyone. We are both hyper-independent and prideful in our abilities to provide for our family. However, Jess left an overnight work-from-home job in July when the health complications started and the lack of sleep was contributing to her issues. After months of appointments, testing, and follow ups, she was able to secure a position substitute teaching for Orange County the same week we learned she will be starting chemotherapy. This means, obviously, she will be at high risk of infection and unable to be in public schools through her treatment. Two months on one income has taken a hit on our budget, and we have reached a point where we cannot continue to drain our savings and rack up credit card debt. We are asking for the help we need most right now: financial gifts.

I want to be abundantly clear on what your donation to our family may be spent on because we both feel that the lack of transparency behind gofundme's are what can make them icky. Your donation will not be spent on medical expenses. We have met our out of pocket max for 2024, and will not pay for medical appointments, procedures, or medications again until 2025. Your donation may be spent on the following: Rent as we do not have enough to pay for October...or the following months. Jess's car payments as we have been unsuccessfully trying to sell her car for 6 months and are two months behind on payments. Groceries but more realistically restaurants as we don't have the time or energy to cook for ourselves most days. Food/care items for our three fur babies Koda, Rosebud, and Marty. (If you know us, you know they are our world and we will go without before they do). Gas for the many trips back and forth to Tampa for chemotherapy, appointments, and procedures. And on that same note, hotels for when we can't make the drive same day. Your donation might go to a McFlurry after a chemo appointment if Jess is craving one or a weekend away if she has the energy to get out of the house. It might pay for a small walk through Target for a small boost of serotonin or a new plant that calls to us on a hard day. Your donation will go to our best attempt to keep the status quo in our house during a time when normal is what we need most. One income is not sufficient and cancer is not fair. My wife has done everything in her power to better herself and work her hardest for our family since the day we met. There is no one more undeserving of this diagnosis and more deserving of your love.

Thank you for taking the time to love us and consider helping in this way. I haven't wanted to ask for financial help since I had my first job at 15 years old, but I know we have people far from us that feel helpless during this time. I know I do, and I'm here holding her hand through it all. Every positive thought sent our way is deeply felt and so highly appreciated. Stay well and listen to your body. We love you.

XO,

Jaci and Jessica Green

10/22 update: We are currently in the middle of round 2 of chemotherapy out of what will be 14 rounds total with a big ole surgery in the middle of it.

Since the last time we checked in here, Jess has been diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma officially and started treatment, and I have lost my job of the last 3.5 years. Some days it doesn’t feel like we will get through this financially, but most days we are reminded of the fierce love we have on our side from you all. If you have donated any amount of money here, purchased something from our Amazon list, or sent a kind message, we thank you so deeply. We haven’t been able to personally thank some anonymous donors or Amazon packages without gift notes, but please know that it has not gone unnoticed. Your love and support is everything.

XO, Jaci