Help Mary Jayne Battle Breast Cancer

"Mary Jayne Dauby Miller walks into her home, leaning back upon the door as it closes. She takes a deep breath to gain her equilibrium. Breast Cancer. Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. And as if that isn't enough, my good friend learns she is HER2+ Positive, which means a more aggressive treatment is needed. The protein in her system is actually feeding the cancer. So, to stop it, Chemo infusions are prescribed for a year. A whole year.

Diagnosed on December 23, 2021, and wanting to keep the holidays festive, Mary Jayne chose to keep the bad news quiet. Her treatments began immediately after her surgery the first of the year due to the serious possiblity the cancer could spread throughout her body. The infusions to continue the rest of this year - spilling into 2023. And add to all of that – five weeks of radiation.

As Mary Jayne walks toward her kitchen she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror. There’s no hair left. Her smile quickly dissipates as the feeling of nausea once again washes over her. Placing her hand over her mouth she’s able to make it to the bathroom. This time.

Thoughts of when this will ever end flood her mind. She reaches for a cold wash cloth while gaining enough strength to reach her front room without falling. Like she did just a few weeks ago. The couch. Her safe place. Where she will sit alone.

Yes. She has done her part as a single parent. Her boys are grown and are successful. Young grandchildren she adores. They have done so much for her. They continue to help and she is beyond grateful to have them in her life. But she finds she just cannot, will not burden her sons about the stack of mail sitting on her counter.

She contemplates the trade out. Patients are told chemo is the cure. The treatments supposedly stop the cancer from multiplying but in the meantime what stops the bills from multiplying? As she prays the cancer is being eradicated from her body, Mary Jayne sadly discovers it is killing her in other ways. It is robbing her of her life as it was. It is robbing her of her energy; robbing her of her self-confidence; robbing her of the salary from the part time job she landed and loves. Now, feeling as though she is backed into a corner, she wonders "what am I going to do?"

With the drapes pulled tight, she knows today is not the day to visit her mailbox. As it was yesterday, and will more than likely be tomorrow. She’s not up – emotionally or physically – to face those harsh words written in that chilling, bold, black font.

And then, ever so slowly, her tears begin to fall. And Mary Jayne sits alone...…"

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If you have the pleasure of knowing Mary Jayne Dauby Miller, as I do, you know she would never ask for help, monetarily or otherwise. So, I am stepping in and asking for her. Together, today, right now we can reassure her she is not alone.

Cancer effects every aspect of a person’s life from easily paying the light bill to all of a sudden coming up short. When cancer strikes, expenses – life and medical - on a limited budget can quickly wipe out a savings account.

GoFundMe is a powerful tool which can help people avoid medical bankruptcy and focus on healing without taking away every last straw of dignity.

Mary Jayne’s focus needs to be on recovery. I encourage you to donate to her fund. Any amount. And to please leave words of encouragement along with your donation. Or, of course, you may opt to leave a donation anonymously.

Let’s join together and brighten her tomorrow!

Thank you,

Carmin Fella

p.s. It is a little tricky to leave a message with your donation on this site. Maybe I can help you figure it out... When selecting the amount you wish to donate you will see that GoFundMe adds a "tip" - you can go with it, or just slide that little scale back to 0.

The site does take a small amount from each donation (2.9% plus 30 cents) and the tip is optional to cover this fee from the donation you are making to Mary Jayne.

After you select your donation amount, then you are given the option to leave a comment. If you miss it - no worries! You are given the option to go back in through your receipt email from GFM. Please remember any amount will help. The GoFundMe site is key in getting the word out! Together, we can do this for Mary Jayne! Thanks again.