Helping my family with my Cancer Diagnosis

For those of you who do not know me personally ...my name is Jackie...I am 42 years old, with two beautiful 11 year-old twins and a fur baby Luna. When I was 17 years old, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkins lymphoma. I was almost 20 years cancer-free; When in 2016, I received the devastating diagnosis of Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer is a terminal diagnosis, there is no cure, and I have accepted that my time here is limited. While it may seem unusual for someone to create their own Go Fund Me, I believe it's essential that people learn that it's ok to ask for help. It's challenging to do, and I admire anyone who can build up the courage to do so. In 2023 a new growth stage 2 in my left breast was found - unrelated to my stage 4 cancer. Lucky it did not spread and we caught it in time to have it removed with surgery. 

Living with this diagnosis and having a family has been extremely difficult for me physically and mentally/emotionally. My children are not yet aware or ready to understand that they will be losing their mom. Or maybe they do know but they don’t want to talk about it… and keep their feelings inside….This GFM is for my kids….to prepare for the future rather than wait until it is too late. Because I cannot work, I would like to be able to put funds away to leave for my children, pay for my own end of life services, creating memories with my kids,and cover cost of things such as any bills that fall under my responsibility. There is a tremendous amount to my story that I cannot at this time share. But I need to be able to learn to navigate this disease, be the best possible mom, and somehow thrive through it all. 

I currently receive treatment every three weeks, which helps buy me more time and keep me here for as long as possible. I also now go in every 4 weeks for 2 additional injections pertaining to hormones.  The amount it costs to stay alive is, as you can imagine, prohibitive. Sadly, the cost of funeral and end-of-life services costs almost as much. My doctor is about an hour away and transportation is often needed. 

My goal for this GFM is to help me stand on my own two feet and make it as long as I can for my children. 

Funds will go directly to transportation to and from treatments, my bills and the majority to my kids.  All other funds will be used to help plan and prepare for end-of-life care and services. I am really in need of assistance, and I am so very grateful to those who have helped us in the past. Unfortunately, the expenses are never-ending and will continue until I am gone.

I have been struggling tremendously with figuring out what I can do to help my family. I am struggling mentally and trying my best to handle as much as possible without falling apart. But I have reached a point where I can no longer fake that I am ok, and I need to swallow my pride and ask. Not for me but for my kids.  They are the only reason I am still here and my only motivation to keep going and not give up.

I know that everyone is going through something in their lives, so I understand if you cannot help at this time. But if anything, please pray for us and kindly share this on social media. Anything you can do will be appreciated and never forgotten. We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read this… If you are struggling with mental health, a cancer diagnosis or both,...I am here for you…please never hesitate to reach out to me.

With so much love and gratitude…thank you.

JD xo