My Story………

My name is Debra Montgomery.  I’m 50 years old, married with 4 children.  Our two youngest sons live at home with us.

In May of 2009 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

It all started with my routine self-check in the shower, only it hadn’t been as routine as it should have been. So I checked for lumps and there it was, “the lump”.  I was very concerned at the time because I didn’t have any medical insurance.  I hadn’t had medical insurance for at least 8years.  What was going to happen?  How was I going to get this checked?  I haven’t had a mammogram for several years.

Well, to my surprise my husband and I were approved for medical coverage with Kaiser Permanente.  What a blessing this was.  A tremendous load of worry and stress had just been lifted; however, there was still the uncertainty of “the lump”.

After the usual test; mammogram, ultra sound and biopsy, it was confirmed.  When I heard the doctor say “breast cancer” it was like he was telling me about someone else and I had to deliver the news.  I felt like it was not about me at all.  I had to keep telling my self “I have breast cancer”.  Well, for me it took a few days for my head to wrap around my reality.

I’m very fortunate in that my doctor and the nurses and the breast care consultants at Kaiser Permanente were very, very helpful in helping me understand everything I was going thru and what was yet to come.  The best way for me to deal with something traumatic is to know as much as I can good or bad, about what’s going to happen.

So, what’s next?  Well, at this point the next step for me is surgery on July 7, 2009.

My concern is after surgery.  I realized that our income, our mobility and our way of life was going to change dramatically.  My family and I really need your help.

We have created this website so you can understand what’s happening with our family and if you can we are asking for any donations that you are capable of giving to help us through this strange and uncertain time.  My understanding is that I will be unable to use my arms for about 2 weeks.  Well, what does that really mean? I won’t be able to comb and style my hair; I will be unable to drive, wash my face, lift my self up from a bed or a chair, stand up straight or prepare a meal and most importantly work.

Now I strongly believe that everything will be just fine in the end and with God on my side I will come thru this better than ever.  Until then we really, really need your help for a short time.  My recovery is expected to take about 6 to 8 weeks.

This website is also designed to keep you all updated on my progress and give you an opportunity to share your thoughts with us as well.  We would love to hear from you.  Maybe you are or have gone through a similar experience or maybe you just want to share what’s on your mind.  We would love to hear from you.

“ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” JEREMIAH 29:11 NIV