Support Angela's Battle Against OSCC Cancer

My name is Angela, and I was diagnosed with OSCC (Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma) on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. OSCC is an oral cancer that involves damage to oral epithelial cells due to accumulation of multiple genetic mutations in the cells. Mine started from a gene mutation in my left tonsil and has impacted my soft pallet, tonsil and small areas of my throat. OSCC remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with head and neck cancers. I am about to start very intensive and rigorous radiation treatments at the fabulous Dartmouth Hospital in Lebanon's Cancer Center. I will be going for a treatment everyday Monday through Friday with a double treatment on Fridays. This will last for approximately 7 weeks. I live in the beautiful Lakes Region, and I am sure you can understand that driving to and from Dartmouth every day is going to be very taxing. Not to mention the copays, prescriptions, and medical expenses that I will incur.

I am 48 (29 with 19 years' experience- if you ask me), a mom of 3 (2 born to me, 1 I love as my own), a wife of 20 years to an amazing and supportive husband, Joshua. A sister to 3 amazing siblings and a daughter to a 75yr old father that has always supported and been my rock through everything and now I am his rock. I have been his primary caretaker for the last 2 years and I wouldn't change it for anything!

Joshua was injured at work in May of 2023 and has had to undergo 3 surgeries due to the injuries he sustained. He is and has been out of work since May of 2023. Our family has been just getting by with Joshua's decreased income and now I will be losing our only full-time income. I do not qualify for any financial help through my employer as I made the decision to switch careers last summer and have very few PTO hours built up. Never in a million years did I think that something like Cancer was about to enter our lives. I am the type of person who is always wanting and willing to help anyone in need. We as a family have been trying to fight this battle on our own for the last couple months, but now realize that we cannot do it alone. I am eating my biggest piece of humble pie and exposing my weakest most vulnerable life moments. I am asking for love, compassion, understanding, and asking for someone to help me/us this time. The medical bills are piling up fast and I haven't even started treatments yet. I am not sure what the next few months will hold for my family, but I know that there are good and kind people in this world that may see this and may have the ability to help and with that help we may just make it through this.

I am hoping that with support from wonderful people that my energy will be used for fighting and kicking Cancer's behind, not worrying about how I am going to pay the next copay or if I will have to skip a treatment because I don't have the money for it.

Thank you for even taking the time to read this and maybe sharing. Me and my family are so appreciative and grateful for all your generosity and kindness.

Sending love to whoever may need it today!

~Angela