In January 2011, Jeanne Bohm had no idea that her life was about to change for the better.
It had been nearly eight years since ?the love of her life? had passed away unexpectedly. Jeanne was living in Montana and hanging out with the wrong crowd, when out of the blue she found a lump in her breast.
?I went to my doctor right away,? says Jeanne. ?He knew instantly that it was cancer.?
Jeanne was diagnosed with stage 3B inflammatory breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes. Knowing she needed her family?s help, she headed home to Colorado, where her mother and sisters lived. At the time, Jeanne?s relationship with her mother was estranged.
?Getting treatment in Colorado was my first priority,? Jeanne says. ?I searched the internet and was really impressed by what the University of Colorado Cancer Center offered. It seemed all of their staff?s right hands knew what their left hands were doing.?
Shortly after moving in with her sister, Jeanne started chemotherapy. In September 2011, she had a mastectomy to remove the diseased breast and surrounding lymph nodes. After recovering from surgery, she underwent months of additional chemotherapy and radiation.
A year later, she is cancer free.
?At first the doctors didn?t know if they could fix me,? Jeanne says. ?Now, they can?t find any cancer.?
?The cancer changed my life. I don?t care that I don?t have a breast,? she continues. ?At age 57, I?ve enjoyed reconnecting with my mother, getting closer with my sister and spending time together. My life has changed for the better.?
Cancer free but not worry free
Although Jeanne is cancer free, she?s been living with multiple sclerosis since 1982, making it difficult for her to walk and work. The little income she receives each month from social security barely covers her rent and living expenses, let alone two rent payments?one in Montana and one in Colorado.
Through Lindsey Martinez, a CU Cancer Center social worker at University of Colorado Hospital, Jeanne was able to apply for a grant from the Raymond Wentz Foundation. The Raymond Wentz Foundation awards small grants to help lessen the financial struggles experienced by cancer patients in Colorado.
Since 2002, the Foundation has awarded nearly $1.5 million in emergency financial assistance to 2,500 cancer patients in 51 counties throughout Colorado. In July 2012, Jeanne received a check for $750 to help cover her rent.
?I hadn?t seen that much money for years,? Jeanne says. ?I was humbled and blown away by the money. It made all the difference. It helped pay my rent for a month until I could get up to Montana to clean out my old apartment.?
Her story is not unlike many other cancer patients in Colorado.
Every month a volunteer panel of healthcare professionals meet to review dozens of patient applications and help guide the Raymond Wentz Foundation on patients? eligibility. However, the Foundation can?t meet all of the needs without community support.
On Oct. 26, 2012, the Foundation is hosting a Rocky For Raymond benefit concert with Big Head Todd and the Monsters at the Soiled Dove Underground. Tickets are $150 with a small number of VIP seats available. All proceeds benefit patients like Jeanne, who need a little financial assistance while undergoing cancer treatment.
Tickets are available at www.raymondwentz.org.
?So many other people need the same kind of help,? Jeanne says. ?We just need more people to open their hearts to give to those in need.?
?The Raymond Wentz Foundation has helped me immensely. There?s no way I wouldn?t want to return the favor.?
Source: http://www.coloradocancerblogs.org/news/breast-cancer-changed-patients-life-for-the-better
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