Nikki’s fight against Breast Cancer

Hi My name is Yari, and a few years back, I met Nikki Temple at our former job. After finding out we had quite a few things in common, Nikki and I clicked but mostly because she is such a cheerful, funny, and great mother. Soon after she started, I became pregnant with my 3rd and went to her for lots of parenting advice! Unfortunately, Nikki's story over the last nine years has been unfair, to say the least. Your donation will help her pay her Mortgage, feed her family, buy her current medications, and continue treatment without the financial stress that comes with it. Nikki's story is below.

In 2013, after 21 years of marriage, she became a single mother. She moved to Florida to be closer to her family. In 2018, her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and passed away with Nikki by her side a few months later. In February 2020, her heart condition worsened, and Nikki had to have a pacemaker put in. While on her medical leave, she was furloughed and then permanently let go shortly after. In 2021 she began to climb out from under the mounting medical bills and other debt from the pandemic (missed mortgage payments, car payments, etc) after starting a new job. She was beginning to take a sigh of relief.

In October 2021, things were looking good as she was about to turn 50. She scheduled an appointment to get a mammogram and wasn't concerned since she had no Breast Cancer in the family and no cause for concern. At the appointment, the techs kept saying the Dr. needed more photos and an ultrasound, they did it right then and there. She found it odd but wasn't concerned until the doctor came in. The doctor calmly tells Nikki she has a mass and needs a biopsy to verify the malignancy. Nikki thought, "What, wait, did the doctor just say malignancy! Yes, yes, she did just say CANCER! I have breast cancer. I am 50 years old. I am a single mother. I work 2 jobs to earn enough money. I have type 1 diabetes, asthma, I have a pacemaker keeping my heart beating; and if that was not enough, this doctor is now saying I have BREAST CANCER!"

The biopsy confirmed breast cancer. In January, she had breast surgery to remove the tumor. After issues with insurance that postponed her treatment and trying to figure out the proper medications with her Cardiologist to keep her from having a heart attack during radiation, she has begun radiation treatments 5 days a week, which will last 7-8 weeks. She is unable to continue working her 2nd job. Nikki will have to use up her PTO time at work and in about 2 weeks will have to continue treatment without pay. Medical bills are mounting (again!), and she will need a second surgery after radiation treatments are complete.

I know she appreciates this very much and will be surprised to see all her support.

Keep Hope, Faith and Love forever.

Yari