Jeanette and Jim Cancer Fund

To know them is to love them, as they say. Such is the case with Jeanette and Jim. Whether they are your friends, family, or co-workers, your life is enhanced by knowing them, as they are quintessential “good people.” To me and my husband, T.J., they are the dearest of friends who are affectionately referred to as J&J, Jimeatte, or The Neighbors (despite the fact we haven’t lived next door to each other in many years). We have spent a lot of time together over the past 15 years, enjoying holidays, birthdays, Super Bowls, music, food, wine, and other joyful pastimes. Yet, for the past seven months, we have witnessed our dear friends endure one of life’s greatest tragedies—a cancer diagnosis.

On July 17, 2019, Jim was diagnosed with Stage 2 bladder cancer. On February 14, 2020, Jim underwent an intensive nine-hour surgery to remove his bladder and prostate (a radical cystectomy) and reconstruct a new bladder (a neobladder) out of his small intestine. For seven months, between July and February, Jim had numerous exams, consultations, tests, setbacks, twice-weekly chemotherapy treatments, and the discovery of an inoperable blood clot on his lung, to give a brief glimpse into the not-so-wonderful world of cancer.

As of February 17, Jim remains in ICU, as he is being carefully monitored; his previously diagnosed blood clot disorder causes him to be considered “high risk” for the surgery he went through. The fantastic news is that the surgery was a success! Jim’s skilled and renowned urologist said she couldn’t have been more pleased with how well it went without any complications. He is expected to be in the hospital for several more days, then begin an extensive recovery.

I wanted to start this fundraising campaign for Jeanette and Jim months ago, as I have heard that a cancer diagnosis is not just emotionally trying for a couple and physically devastating for the patient, for most, it is also financially devastating. But neither of them were even remotely comfortable with the idea of putting their situation “out there” on social media for all to see, both people they know and many they do not. They felt strongly about keeping it private while expressing their awareness of so many others who are in the same—or an even worse—situation than theirs. I had to respect their wishes, so I held off…until now, when I’ve been given the green light to do so. After much contemplation, and with the surgery behind them, they have come to the realization that a cancer diagnosis does, in fact, cause financial devastation. 

When I entered “cancer” into Go Fund Me’s search bar to see how others were sharing their stories, it yielded over three million results. 3,000,000. People around the world are trying to survive this all-too-common horrific disease. And the stories have a common theme – the financial strain proves to be too much at some point. They all list the same reasons as Jeanette & Jim have for finally giving in to a public fundraiser despite being private people – cancer comes with a high price tag. Research shows that cancer patients are more likely to declare bankruptcy than the average person. Financial strain is due to:

1.  Gaps between insurance coverage and actual medical costs
2.  Loss of income due to inability to work*
3.  Medical supplies not covered by insurance
4.  Cost of gas for numerous trips to/from hospital for pre-op appointments, surgery, and post-op appointments (Ojai to Los Angeles, a four-hour, roundtrip drive) and for 2-3x/week physical therapy appointments (Ojai to Ventura, a one-hour roundtrip drive)
5.  Necessary motel stays ($90/night Budget Inn…nothing fancy!) for numerous trips to pre-op appointments, mandatory classes (on how to care for Jim post-op), and for Jeanette to be close by while Jim is in the hospital
6.  Co-pays for months of physical therapy appointments

*Jeanette has been working full-time, plus maintaining two part-time jobs, to make ends meet while Jim has been unable to work due to his health. She’s had to cease the two part-time jobs to accompany Jim to appointments and surgery, to handle all household responsibilities, and to be available to oversee Jim’s care.

Adding insult to injury, their car conked out right before Jim’s surgery. The head gasket needs to be replaced, resulting in a hefty car repair bill. There’s never a good time for such a cost, yet right now couldn’t be worse, making the need for funds even more urgent.

However you’ve come to read this, thank you for caring enough to do so. Jeanette and Jim are the doers, the givers, the helpers, the first to respond to others in need. Now they’re in need of some assistance so they can focus on Jim’s recovery and not financial distress. If you are able to make a contribution, that would be deeply appreciated and humbly accepted by Jeanette and Jim. Several small amounts add up to a large one, so every donation counts! Should you not be in a position to do so, I remain grateful that you took the time to read their story.

Love,
~ Dana