Support Joan's Journey With Cancer Recurrence

August 29, 2024.

Dear Friends!

Lots to update in my life.

Since my last updates on my gofundme campaign after breast surgery on 3/30/23, I have been going to regular check-ups with my beloved Dr. Feldman.

On 5/22/24, he was concerned about some bumps on the area of the breast surgery and took a punch biopsy. The results showed a recurrence of the cancer. He prescribed a PET scan which I had on 5/30/24. The results came back on 6/7/24, showing recurrence of the cancer as well as lesions on bone area and liver.

Dr. Feldman referred me to a medical oncologist in nearby Poughkeepsie, NY. My first appointment was on 6/24/24. You can imagine the pins and needles i was feeling as I waited in his office, wondering what he would recommend! When he came into the room he said, "We do not recommend chemotherapy"!!

I burst into tears and grabbed his hand. I was so happy to hear that news.

He described the immunotherapy (endocrine therapy) we was prescribing, using three separate approaches. Basically, a shot in the butt, a 20- minute infusion and a pill which i haven't gotten yet. (I am applying for a Lilycares grant to get that med. The co-pay is $3,000 - the insurance company covers $15,000! some expensive med! I am waiting for approval to get the med free from them. If not, I will need to find that $3,000)

Blessedly, there are no side effects! My energy is fine. I am doing massage appointments and have started a wonderful program on zoom for supporting boomers and beyond at this stage of our lives!

I am reaching out now due to the mounting unpaid doctor's bills, supplements and "not covered by insurance" practitioner visits, as well as back bills coming up.

Perhaps the news is not as I was hoping, but all things considered, I am very lucky and have only great expectations for good results!

For any contribution that you would like to give, please click on the "contribute" link. https://www.gofundme.com/f/joan-apter-upcoming-surgery-support

Thank you wholeheartedly for your support, your generosity and your love.

Other Ways You Can Help:

If you can’t contribute financially, there are a few ways you can still help. Please forward this link to your friends and family who you feel might be willing to help and/or post it on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

Much love and gratitude,

Joan