Blessings and salutations!
many of you have been a part of my journey since it started over 10yrs ago or at least you joined with me this past year for my second brain surgery to remove this pesky tumor. After this second surgery I lost the mobility in my left arm and leg, By God’s grace I was back up and walking not long after surgery but my arm and hand is still pretty much non-functional. So I spent time in the hospital in MD Anderson after surgery then moved from there to Tirr memorial inpatient for rehab. We made huge improvements on my leg and strength but very little progress in my arm. I started radiation in February but after only a week of radiation, the whole building and machines went down this was after many battles fighting insurance to approve and cover radiation, after many appeals. So I returned home to join the family and be with Cecil as he had two surgeries of his own. Then while he recovered from his last surgery the girls and I moved back to Houston for the summer so I could restart and complete radiation as well as join an outpatient intensive therapy program with Tirr which was 5 days a week, then radiation every evening for 5 weeks. I finally rang the gong in July and completed radiation, then the next step was chemo. Fortunately I qualified for the pill form of chemo which meant I could do it from home. And I only had to return to Houston every two months for routine follow up MRIs, bloodwork and Dr appointments. And then on my off months I do all my bloodwork back home so I can start chemo monthly. I was put on a 12 month plan in August for chemo.
As I started chemo and did it monthly I continued to go to a local outpatient therapy facility to work on my leg and arm but as strong as I got inpatient and outpatient in Houston during radiation, chemo was no Joke! My body definitely took a hit, for every two steps I made in therapy I would fall back three with chemo. So the strength and progression just wasn’t happening. And insurance only allows me 35 days of physical therapy (leg) and 35 days of occupational therapy (arm/hand) which if you’re familiar with rehabilitation of loss mobility it takes much longer that 35 days to recover especially when on chemo!
So with the help of an inpatient friend who I last saw leaving the hospital was still in a wheelchair not walking, he found a company here in Houston that helped him get back to walking, riding bikes and pickle ball. ( yes please, sign me up I want that) but it’s at least an hour session possibly two hours each visit and it’s not covered by insurance because they don’t take insurance as they want the freedom to treat without restrictions or time limitations.
So as I continue the last few rounds of chemo, I’m still going to be on a Houston routine every two months for a year then every 3 months for a year then we will go to every four months a year to eventually every 6 months. But while I’m here every two months I plan on spending extra days when possible at project walk.
So whatever amount you’re able to give helps pay for lodging, travel expenses, uber or rental, food and most importantly Project Walk.
I have not done anything like this for a year now because I honestly hate asking for help but as the medical bills continue to climb monthly and still have a huge balance from my surgery as well as inpatient. Knowing this process is going to take much longer than originally anticipated. I have to humble myself enough to ask for help.
I started with a balance that I know helps cover immediate lodging and project walk, but this will be an ongoing process.
Again any amount helps. If you prefer to Zelle, Venmo CashApp or PayPal those options are also appreciated and accepted.
At the end of the day if there is ever anything left over I will pass the blessings forward and help others!
Thank you so much for being on this journey with me!
God Bless
