Kathy's Story
Two years ago, I was diagnosed with MDS, which is a type of blood cancer. I’d had a low hemoglobin for quite some time. With a lifetime of care due to kidney failure, dialysis, and kidney transplants, it wasn’t unusual for my lab values to vary. One of my doctors finally decided to do some exploring. Following lab values and a bone marrow biopsy, the cancer was found.
My cancer is treated with ongoing chemotherapy treatments every six weeks. There’s no end to chemotherapy treatment as I don’t qualify for a bone marrow transplant.
Prior to the diagnosis, I was a practicing nurse who’d spent my years working in ICU, Pediatrics, and most recently transferred into Mental Health. Six years earlier, I’d also pursued a counseling degree and had a job working in a treatment center with recovering alcoholics and addicts. I was working two jobs, wonderful jobs, and doing what I loved most.
With the diagnosis of cancer, both of my jobs immediately ceased. Losing my jobs was very hard to take. Entering into chemotherapy was demanding, taxing and required a lot of medical care including hospitalizations and transitional care. I also sustained a head injury due to severe dehydration because of the effects of chemotherapy.
I had zero income and was without a plan. What became immediately evident was that I couldn’t pay my rent and would soon be homeless. The diagnosis of cancer was a stress all unto itself. But the stress of financial devastation that followed was even worse.
With the help of so many compassionate people I began to receive the help I badly needed. I was amazed at the outpouring of care, love and financial resources that were available to cancer survivors as myself. I am blessed by those who give their resources, time and energy to those experiencing cancer.
I’m so grateful to my family for all the care and support I received through that time. They were amazing. And lots of thanks to my aging parents as they housed me until we figured out what would come next.
Thankfully, I became eligible for early retirement. As it stands, I’m within tight budgeting constraints but am sustaining a place to live and meeting my insurance premiums. That’s all I can ask for.
Through a social worker at my clinic, I was connected with HealthWell. I was amazed I qualified for help and more amazed, I actually started to receive funding. I’m the recipient of money that pays for my Medicare policy. With this monthly check from HealthWell, I can afford the copays on my medications and I can buy groceries! Finding the check in the mail is always followed by a sense of relief.
On the backside of this sudden and devastating diagnosis, I can now recount the evidence of the hand of Providence. Woven through my story are so many instances of help right when and what was needed. Times I was sure all was lost, I would receive those breaths of encouragement, a phone call, prayer, some good news, gift cards or a check in the mail. Everything mattered!
Every gift continues to matter. Thank you, to you, HealthWell. And thank you to all the individuals who make this possible.
