Martha Rose's Life Fund

Update: Cancer sucks.

It sucks the joy out of every moment, the ease out of existing, and the fun (and funds!) from everything.

Cancer is not how we envisioned our first few years as a married couple, especially in a new city with depleted funds right after a big move.

It has been the most challenging year of my life. I've been really down and frustrated, to say the least, about my whole situation. It is really hard to know that my treatment is just maintenance and that my prognosis is terminal.

My current maintenance plan is to continue chemotherapy as recommended by my oncologist. I constantly communicate with my medical team, as my treatment has been brutal.

The cold and flu-like symptoms hit hard, as do the daily aches, pains, nausea, exhaustion, and general malaise. Keeping up with an eating regimen has been the most challenging part, and this new round of treatment has brought new rare side effects to battle as well.

My spouse and I want to make the most out of my time, however much that may be, and are asking for support in meeting our needs and a few wants.

The ugly truth is that between medical needs, medical debt, and living expenses, not including emergencies and food, our cost of living is roughly $6000 a month. We are not keeping up. The financial stress has added an even uglier burden to an already rough road. Claudia can only work part time hours, a couple of days a week, to maintain my care at home. I cannot work and am not always able to be home alone.

Below I’ve broken down some needs, wants, and a couple of non-monetary ways to provide support.

Needs

-Medical Support: bills and medication

-Winter Prep: oil heat/hot water (it’s so cold and expensive)

-Medical/Credit Card Debt: approx $20k

-Car: pay off loan ($13k left) and new tires

-Vet Care for Cats: babies need check ups

-Rent and Electric: approx. $1750 monthly

Wants

-Overdue honey moon- 2 weeks in Mexico, visit Frida Kahlo’s house

-Passports

-Legal name change support (fees)

-Wedding Rings (ours don’t fit anymore)

-Travel to see friends/family (gas/lodging)

Non-Monetary Support

-Share my gofundme with your networks

-Letters/mail/wellwishes

-Prayers/light/energy/good vibes

Thank you for surrounding me with love and support, and for making the most difficult of times a little easier.