Help Rachel with Medical and Living Expenses

*10/20/2022 Update:

Hey there friends. Long time no talk. I’m sorry about that. This has been a doozy of a year, to put it lightly. I wish I had a positive update to provide on my health, but that is not the hand I’ve been dealt. My focus of late has been the tying of loose ends, seeking closure, and trying my damndest to get out of bed every day. I succeed more often than I fail which is something. 

All things considered, I am doing pretty well. I have not had any lasting issues from the strokes I had early on in the year, and I feel a lot stronger than what I had pictured for myself a year ago. I am lucky, in so many ways. 

But there is still a large part of me and my days that are consumed with fear. Fear for what is to come, fear of losing more, losing all of you, fear of tarnishing anyone’s good memories of me with the sickly unhappy version of me that prowls and grunts around Raleigh these days. I fear I have already lost the part of myself that is the essence of who you all have known me to be. I feel sad and upset with myself for how isolated I’ve remained because of these fears. 

I still crack lame jokes on the reg though, they are just a bit darker these days. I’ve made multiple medical professionals uncomfortable with my jokes at cancer’s expense. But it’s my grief and like Charlie Brown says, there is such thing as “good grief”. :) 

I want to thank you all for your support, friendship, and kindness. Your kind words and messages have helped me out of bed, have replaced grimaces with smiles, and have been a source of hope and purpose. I will love you all, always. Some days, the past plays on repeat in my brain and I can say that I truly love every single friend, relative, acquaintance, co-worker, teammate and person who let me be a part of their life.  

Now to the part that makes me want to scratch my eyeballs out. I am re-opening this GoFundMe. This time last year, I KNEW I wouldn’t be here now. Shows what I know. My continued existence is humbling to the “know it all-ness” in me. But it is also creating a financial burden that I do not want to leave as my only “physical” legacy. I am so appreciative to you all for even considering to help with this burden. Times are tough all around though so I beg you all to worry about yourselves and your families first. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my rant. Hopefully we’ll do it again soon. 

Love, 

Rachel

*11/29/21 Update:

Hi everyone,  

I am overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity that has been bestowed upon me. I cannot thank each and every one of you enough. 

I am updating my goal to a larger amount today. Bills are rolling in and the copays are much larger than I expected. The oxygen concentrator is within reach for me now though and that is more than I could have ever hoped for. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much.

Stay safe, and try to make someone laugh today. I promise it will make everyone’s day better.

Love,

Rachel 

Original message:

Hello,

My name is Rachel and I am setting up this GoFundMe to help with my living and medical expenses. A recent diagnosis of small cell carcinoma has thrown me for quite the loop. Presently, I need to purchase an oxygen concentrator machine (which insurance will reimburse for after) but I do not have the funds to buy it now. I also have larger than normal co-pay bills since this all started and could use some help covering those. As it is now those co-pays are eating into my living expenses which can't go on forever.

But no pressure world! I think money is one of our worst ideas as humans. But what are you gonna do? Can't barter my wit into an oxygen machine, or trade cool rocks I've found for prescriptions. If I could I would be set. :)

Thank you very much and please enjoy today! It's all we've got.