Dear Friends, Family, and Loved Ones,
I recently reached out to you to support a GoFundMe campaign for a family friend without knowing that I would need to start my own campaign a couple of months later for my favorite aunt, Phyllis Grant.
Anyone who knows my Aunt Phyllis personally, can attest that she has a huge personality and is hilarious as she is generous and kind. Growing up, she lived with us and asked me every day if I had learned something in school or if I was a bench warmer! Today, every time I see her, she asks me when I’m getting married so she can put on a fancy dress, dance and get drunk at my wedding! (She doesn’t drink, btw). My Aunt Phyllis has always stayed true to her humble beginnings growing up in the countryside in the parish of St. Ann in Jamaica, West Indies. When someone is ill, she is the first person to visit him/her in the hospital or at home. She literally will give her last penny to help a friend in need. Her laughter and humor are infectious; her phone is constantly ringing with friends, former co-workers and people she’s met along the way calling to contact her. My Aunt Phyllis actually knows how to use her cell phone to send text messages and we regularly exchange texts unlike her sister (my mom)! She has always been vibrant, carefree, and the picture of health and happiness.
I was surprised when I received a late night call last month from my mom telling me that my Aunt Phyllis was admitted to the hospital. Then I was shocked two weeks later to learn that she was diagnosed with uterine carcinosarcoma. Uterine sarcoma is anuncommon and aggressive form of uterine cancer that forms in the muscle and tissue that support the uterus. Carcinosarcoma signifies that, when looked at under a microscope, the tumor displays histological features of both endometrial carcinoma and sarcoma. Endometrial carcinoma starts in the endometrium, the inner layer of tissue lining the uterus, while sarcoma begins in the outer layer of muscle of the uterus. Uterine carcinosarcoma is a rare cancer which makes up less than five percent of all uterine cancers. In the U.S., about two per 100,000 women develop uterine carcinosarcoma annually.
I have taken my aunt to see 2 very reputable gynecologic oncologists (physicians who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancers that are located on women’s reproductive organs) in the tri-state area. The staging or advancement of the cancer can not be determined until after she has surgery. Both gynecologic oncologists recommend a similar course of treatment:
1. Pre-admission tests: bloodwork, urine analysis, electrocardiogram (EKG is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart), chest-x-ray and anesthesiologist consult
2. Surgical clearance from a GP (general practitioner medical doctor) requiring a physical exam
3. Radical hysterectomy: removal of uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and lymph nodes
4. Radiation: cancer treatment using high-energy waves to kill tumor cells. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells.
5. Depending on the outcome of the radical hysterectomy and radiation, there may be a need for chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy
Aunt Phyllis has a long road of treatment ahead of her. The gyn oncologist has been very frank and let her know that the radical hysterectomy will be the easiest part of her course of treatment. Due to the nature of the carcinosarcoma, the gyn oncologistrecommends a traditional open surgery, which requires a 3-day hospital stay and a 4-6 week recovery period prior to starting radiation.
My aunt is 64 years old and does not have medical insurance. In New Jersey, emergency Medicaid is only available to undocumented aliens and green card holders of less than 5 years. She does not qualify for regular Medicaid and was denied Charity Care. Aunt Phyllis will not be eligible for Medicare until she turns 65 next year. We have tried to purchase private health insurance and enroll in Obamacare, however, none of these options are available to her until the open enrollment season in October/November this year. Due to the aggressive nature of uterine carcinosarcoma, she can not wait several months to qualify for Medicare or Obamacare. We can not wait several months as the cancer will spread quickly and it will be too late.
We have scheduled a date for surgery in New Jersey on August 15, 2016.
The estimated cost of pre-admission tests, the radical hysterectomy and prescription medication is at minimum $85,000 and upwards. We must raise the funds ourselves for the surgery and we need the help of our family and friends to reach our goal. Please note that GoFundMe does charge a 5% fee for each donation received.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Please help us pay for my aunt Phyllis’ surgery. Any amount you can spare, does count and will make a difference. I believe in power in numbers and the power of the internet. Spread the word, share this GoFundMe campaign and donate!
My wish is for Aunt Phyllis to be at my wedding to wear a fancy dress and dance all night!
Our family thanks you in advance for your support.
