The hope that got me through cancer...

It's a New Year, and a new hope. I've completed cancer so I'm looking forward to the future. It was fantastic to hang out with my boyfriend's niece and nephew over Christmas. My boyfriend and I can't wait to have our own family. We've dreamed of that for the past  4 1/2 years. (We even have our names already picked out.)   That dream is what got me through cancer. I can't wait to be a parent with him. And I can't wait for us to have everyone who supported us during this cancer journey to meet our family, once we get it started. Tehehe...

The problem is that chemo can make a woman sterile. It can take up to 12 months after chemo for a woman to get her period back. I can say that's not looking so good right now. I don't know if it will return. 

Luckily, I underwent two egg retrieval procedures in 2013. My future family is safely resting in the freezer at the clinic. It sounds surreal, but I like to think that they are on lay away--ready for their mom to welcome them into the world. (I'm completely tearing up as I write that. It's incredible to think that I can be a mom someday.)

The other issue is the cost of IVF.  I finally have some of the total cost for my cancer treatment.  The tab is now at: 

• Lumpectomy, remove cancer lump = $2,000 our of pocket, insurance covers $13,000
• Anesthesia = $1800 out of pocket, insurance covers $1,800
• Lab work = $600, insurance covers $1,400 (plus more lab work to come)
• Egg retrieval x 2 = $11,400 out of pocket, $5,500 covered by insurance
• Freezing eggs, which insurance does not cover = $300, out of pocket annually, if I qualify for financial assistance each year
• Medications for lump removal and chemo = $500 out of pocket, insurance covered the rest
• Medications for fertility = $100 (Received $9000 worth of free fertility drugs, insurance did not cover the drugs for the 2nd round of egg retrieval)
• Cold caps = $3,500 out of pocket, insurance doesn't cover
• Wig plus hair care products for it = $100, insurance covered $200 (Cold caps did not work as well as planned.)
• Chemo = $500 out of pocket, insurance covered $32,500
• Radiation = $2,500 per session x 5 days a week x 7 weeks = $87,500 = unknown because insurance has not paid out yet. They hopefully will cover it in full.

Total  to date = $162,600.00

Cost covered by insurance = $141,900.00

Out pocket expense I pay =  (assuming my insurance will pay for my radiation in full) $20,700.00

The balance I have to pay for my IVF is $11,400. Insurance will not cover any futher costs for it. Of course, the out of pocket expense I have to pay for cancer treatment wiped out the money I set aside for IVF.  It's up to me now. 

This is where I need your help. I'm trying to raise money to cover some of the cost for the IVF. I know that it's a lot to ask for help, but I'm at the end of the road. I've exhausted every financial assistance and resource out there. I won't be able to afford having a family at this rate. 

I've set up a gofundme page to change this. Any support, financial or sharing this with others, will make a huge difference. Please share this story with other women who have gone through breast cancer. I want them to know that there is hope, you can have a family, and this is how you can make that happen. To that end, I've shared my story about the unknown challenges that come with cancer with that goal in mind. I hope that I can share this story with my children someday. Your help with make that happen. 

Thank you for reading my posts and helping me during this long battle with breast cancer. Best wishes in the new year.