Breathing, something most of us don’t think about. Inhale. Exhale. The rhythm of life we take for granted — until we can’t.
Our warrior for Justice and this beautiful blue world, our Patriot Daily, our Lin, can’t take breathing for granted anymore. The breast cancer she thought beaten a few years ago has shape shifted into malignancy, invading her bones and lungs. She can’t breathe without the help of oxygen tanks.
Lots of them.
Update: I’m inserting this information from her sister Laura here so all of you have a clear understanding of just a part of what Lin and she are dealing with.
The main problem with oxygen is that there is a set limit of oxygen cylinders which they will deliver -- it is set at a maximum of 24 tanks on an 8 week delivery schedule. Linda’s average use is about 4/day, which is about 224 tanks in that 8 week period (along with continuous use of an oxygen concentrator). In order to make up that difference -- the 224 she would use and the 24 they will deliver -- I must drive to their facility in another town and transport them myself; I would have to haul some 200 tanks on my own during that eight week period. I don't know what that cost would be. I am her sole caregiver; I am with her 24/7 since I took a leave of absence from work. It is not possible for me to leave Linda alone.
The larger expenses are the ever growing medical costs, beside monthly insurance premiums; an ongoing accumulation of co-pays, drug expenses (including $300 for an inhaler), $180 cost of ambulance bringing her home, $3000 as her share of biopsy, not to mention what will be her share of two hospital stays, etc. This is all above and beyond the usual cost of living, while we are both on leave of absence from work.
Laura wrote about Lin’s fight for life on the YouCaring page she set up for her sister.
The Story
Meet my sister, Linda McClure. Her friend Aji said, she’s been a warrior her whole life: for everyone, for environmental and climate justice, for the wildlife and natural resources. She’s had a successful career as an environmental lawyer, practicing on the side of Mother Earth. She’s an activist, a community/activism organizer, a writer, a sister, and friend. She was so honored when Bill McKibben stated that he could "think of no higher praise than 'great organizer,' and you're one of the greatest!"
She’s in the fight of her life, and she needs our help.
Five years ago, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. She completed a rigorous and difficult treatment protocol that enabled remission, and we all breathed a sigh of relief.
Since April, she has experienced severe pain in her right knee, right leg and ribs. Because of her medical history, she was concerned that her breast cancer had returned. She sought additional screening, but her mammogram turned up no evidence of new disease. Since then, her condition has progressively worsened, with severe joint and bone pain, first in her legs, then spreading through her body, and finally culminating in what doctors stated was fracturing of ribs. She continued to seek medical tests to obtain a diagnosis and treatment — her concerns were dismissed as simply arthritis and fractured ribs treated with pain pills.
Last week, Linda finally was able to see two specialists who ran diagnostic tests showing her breast cancer has now spread to her lungs and her bones.
She has been told that she has only months to live, possibly only weeks . . . except for the possibility of pursuing clinical trials or perhaps aggressive chemo. A surgical biopsy this week will determine options available.
I am hoping to raise $30,000 to cover our regular bills of $4,000 a month for housing payment, utilities, food etc. which would be needed for 6 months for the beginning of a fighting option (like clinical trial or specialized chemo) or will cover end of life if no other options. Linda is on current leave of absence from work and I work very few hours so that I can take care of her.
In addition to this base of $24,000, there are medical expenses piling up with increased co-pays: each CT her co-pay has been $500-$700; and her co-pay for lung biopsy is $3,000.
And we need medical equipment for breathing that is not covered by insurance. We have purchased a nebulizer and oxygen equipment that is 62 pounds that I must push around so Linda can walk to the bathroom. We need to purchase a truly portable "oxygen purse" for around $3500 that will enable her some mobility at home and hopefully outside our home.
Linda and I are very close; we have lived together for nearly three decades. She is my North Star. Without her income, there is the very real possibility of losing a roof over our heads, even as I face the prospect of losing my sister and best friend. We are trying, in what may be a very short time available to us, to raise sufficient funds to ensure that Linda can get the medical (and, if necessary, palliative-care) treatment that she needs, that her day-to-day needs will be provided for, and that we can keep our home while she fights this battle of — and for — her life.
Please help us remove the burden of basic survival from her shoulders, so that she can focus her energies on the battle ahead of her.
In gratitude, Laura
Since Laura wrote that, Lin has been in and out of the hospital and is struggling to get her strength back so she can start treatment.
This community has made all the difference in helping Lin breathe and giving them both hope.
We need to continue doing so. The money the fundraiser for Lin has raised is dwindling quickly. Co-pays. Living expenses. Oxygen tanks. It all adds up.
Lin and Laura need our help to keep hope real. This community’s caring and generosity are crucial in helping Lin continue the fight for breath and life.
If you can give in this season of giving, won’t you please donate so Lin can keep breathing?
You can donate through the YouCaring page that Laura has set up for her. The link is here —
www.youcaring.com/…
Shares of the YouCaring page are also deeply appreciated. Each share could raise an additional $37 dollars to help Lin win this fight for her life.
If you prefer to use paypal, please use the email address — lauramcclure01@gmail.com.
If you would like to send a check or money order, please kosmail me and I will get Lin’s snail mail address to you.
The holidays can be difficult for many, and following this year’s election, especially so. But your help, your recs, shares, comments of support, and donations, have all made a crucial life giving difference.
Helping Lin reminds us all that we are not alone, and that together we can work miracles. We are reminded that there is no such thing as small kindnesses. And that’s a gift for all of us. Deepest thanks and all Blessings to you and yours this Holiday Season, and always.