Melanie, a client of Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, responded to her cancer diagnosis with gratitude for all she has, including the gas cards she receives from Cancer Services.
Without you, she would have been overcome with worry every time she stopped to fill her gas tank. Instead, she can focus solely on taking care of herself and getting better. You made that possible for her.
Melanie is a positive person, an attitude which uplifts her during her cancer journey. “I have been very blessed.” She and Fred, her husband of 23 years, love their blended family of six children, many grandchildren, and even some great-grandchildren. Fred works their small family farm in Wabash, while Melanie works at a local florist shop.
Their quiet life was simple and fulfilling, and then cancer became an unwelcome guest.
Melanie noticed some concerning symptoms, so she went to her doctor. He didn’t immediately think it was cancer. Melanie underwent a variety of tests to find the cause of her symptoms. As they narrowed down possible causes, her doctor realized it might be cancer after all.
“When my diagnosis came, I wasn’t entirely shocked because I thought my symptoms could be caused by cancer. But I had felt that God was telling me it wasn’t cancer, so I was angry at him,” Melanie recalls of hearing her cancer diagnosis. Melanie’s faith has always been an important part of her life, but the anger and hurt was so deep that she lost her faith for those first weeks after her diagnosis.
Things turned around when she met with her oncology doctors for the first time and learned more about her prognosis and the path forward. “I may have left God, but he never left me. I realized that I was going to be okay, and the experience strengthened my faith.”
One of Melanie’s foremost worries were financial. She was scared to lose their family farm and wondered, “How am I going to afford this?” Her navigator at the Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute recommended she contact Cancer Services for financial help.
She met with Client Advocate Taylor, who gave her a tour of the building and discussed how Cancer Services could help. Melanie remembers being impressed with all the services that were available.
The mileage reimbursement program, which provides gas cards to clients to offset the cost of driving back and forth for their treatment appointments, proved amazingly helpful to her during her daily radiation appointments. Melanie and Fred filled their gas tank twice a week just to get from their home to Fort Wayne every day. Since Melanie couldn’t work as often due to her daily appointments, the financial worry was heavier than ever.
“The assistance from Cancer Services came at a time that was so helpful,” Melanie says.
Melanie is nearing the end of her first phase of treatment, and she’s optimistic about her prognosis. She says she is lucky to have a village willing to support her, between her family, work colleagues, friends, and Cancer Services. “I know you’re there, and that brings me peace of mind.”
As you reflect on Melanie’s story, realize just how important you are in making these programs and services happen.
