Kari's Personal Story as a Cancer Survivor

*NO SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, did all right things: daily exercise, good eating habits..

On Feruary 9th 2005, I walked carefully onto an icy walkway and low-and-behold if my feet didn't slip out from under me anyway and down I went hard!!! Landing square onto my upper back, shoulders and neck. Immediately all feeling from my neck down turned stone cold. Absolutely no feeling or ability to move, I could barely move my head and tried to call out for help. Luckily a neighbor (an MD) came by on his way to work when he saw me and took matters to get me to a hospital...

After tests, screening (X-rays, MRI, CT) all they could make out was a mass covering my right side from my neck to below my lung and spreading over my back to the left of my body, Doc's concluded if I hadn't fallen I would have been dead later that week. Immediate surgery to relieve pressure on my neck and spine revealed a thin bluish-white tumor netting growing around and through my cervical cord. Surgeons removed what they could of "malignant spinal cord compression". Immediate radiation and chemo was begun. Time was of the essence to save my life.

Further tests determined Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The years 2005 and 2006 involved treatment and therapy. I was able to walk with a jerky gate. The Cancer team didn't elaborate or disclose after effects from treatment. Care was good but second best because I had no insurance. The Cancer is in remission, but lasting effects are a challenge especially when one doesn't have health insurance. I am unable to work as a result of Peripheral Neuropathy damage from the surgery and cancer treatments with lasting pain and disabiity. I exhausted all my assets. I have been denied time and again financial assistance from various government and state agencies who seem to consider me cured. I am not married. My family and friends have helped but are also limited in their capacity. I don't want to burden others with my troubles. I cannot afford seeking further medical help unless another disastrous event occurs.

Any suggestions?

Kari Olson

Kari