Fundraiser for the Andersen Family:
Penny Andersen was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer (stage 1) in
February of 2012 when she had a 4 lb tumor removed. She went on life
support after suffering from sepsis shock (her organs were shutting
down until her being intubated & extensive medications being
pumped into her body). After recovering over a 10 day period in the
hospital, a second tumor was found / removed in August of 2012. She
underwent BCG Treatment during October/November 2012, underwent a cat
scan to see if the cancer has spread due to the pain she was going
through, & had a 3rd tumor/lesion removed 11/29 (& she spent
another week in the hospital after an adverse reaction to the procedure).
Penny had another scope on 03/13/2013 and 3 more small tumors
were removed from around the opening to the ureter going into a
kidney. She has had more than 7 tumors removed in the past 2 years.
She has had BSG treatment late 2012, Mitomycin (Chemo) in 2013, and
just finished Valstar (Chemo) on May 2nd, 2014. She has had a total of
10 Cystoscopies so far (with over $100,000 in medical bills over that
2 year period). Incredibly, Penny's last Cycstoscopy on June 13th came
back "clear" (and no cancer cells were seen so no biopsy was
necessary). We will know in September, 2014 (Penny's next Cystoscopy)
if the Cancer is truly gone (we are considering this as a possible remission).
In addition, Steinar Andersen (her husband), was laid off on 09/30/2012 and is unemployed for the first time in 31 years (and is doing everything possible to help his wife while she goes through this painful process). He has been disabled and unemployed for 22 months (as of June 23rd, 2014). Also, their son Travis (who is 24 years old) also is disabled (he has been learning disabled with physical limitations since he was born). He lives at home and presently receives Social Security.
This FundRazr.com account was created to raise funds for the Andersen
family to deal with the continuing medical costs and the cost of
making it day by day (while unemployed / disabled).. All donations
given through this fundraiser will be going to The Andersen Family to
use as needs arise to help Penny continue her cancer treatment and for
the Andersen's not to lose their home. We thank you all so very much
for your support!
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The Andersen family has had a pretty rough 30 months medically
and financially (and they can really use as much help as possible).
They've gone through Penny becoming ill due to Bladder cancer and the
costs associated with the treatment / hospitalization. They now have
over $10,000.00 in medical debt as a result. They also have unresolved
medical costs associated with their effort to help their
developmentally disabled son (Travis) over the last 18 months while
trying to establish in writing his disabilities (the costs are in
excess of $1,500.00). They are a proud family who tries to work out
their problems themselves and to not be a burden to others.
Penny will undergo follow up scopes every 3 to 6 months for the
rest of her life... with follow-up BCG treatments or chemo treatments
should there be any recurrence. She is facing having her bladder
removed should the tumors get past her connective tissue.
Penny is presently disabled (she was a shooting victim amongst
over 13 victims of the JB Pub shooting in Elgin, IL in 2001). She has
permanent limitations to her left arm (with neurological damage cause
by the bullet), in addition to a bad back due to a herniated disc plus
2 bad knees (injuries that have happened over time). In addition to
this, she has the above mentioned recurring Stage 1 Bladder Cancer
(for which she is receiving ongoing treatment). The family has been
able to reduce their monthly spend substantially over the past 22
months (they have eliminated all debts including car payments plus
credit card debt and are up to date on all major bills - and with
Illinois Hardest Hit approved in January 2013 for the Andersen family,
much of the mortgage will be taken care of until July of 2014... and
those funds that help are considered a loan by the Federal Government
and are tacked onto the end of their mortgage and are due at that
time). As their house is "underwater" by at least
$80,000.00, they cannot sell the house to "downsize" to a
lower costing house as they have a VA loan. What they need are funds
for the next few to help pay down their outstanding medical costs
already incurred plus to pay their monthly costs that Penny's
disability check falls short of paying.
They are doing everything they can by applying for help via the
different governmental programs out there. Their son Travis has done
the difficult by trying to help by buying his own private medical
insurance (he works at Walmart part time) - he was approved for a
Humana 70/30 PPO plan.... and their parents are very proud of him in
doing so. No matter what happens regarding this fund raising effort,
the Andersen's appreciate everyone who has helped (God, friends,
family, church, and strangers).
Steinar, Travis, and Penny Andersen