MUSKEGON, Mich. — Breast cancer is a life changing diagnosis for women. For Danielle Weaver, her life changing moment happened just this past August.
"My cat jumped on my chest and it hurt," said Weaver, "I felt something."
She called her doctor, and after a series of tests, she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. She says it's the most aggressive kind. She began weekly chemotherapy and other treatments.
Then, she began another fight: with the bills.
"They tell you not to stress, then they send you this," said Weaver motioning to the bills.
She said for one chemotherapy session, the cost is nearly $13,000. After her insurance, she still owes more than $6,000 each session.
"Imagine how many cycles I’m getting, once a week, every Wednesday," said Weaver, "I was shocked. I couldn’t believe how much it would cost and imagine what’s coming out of my pocket alone that’s not covered by insurance."
She says her doctor's visit co-pays are more than $100 each visit, she had surgery to add a port with unknown costs, and has planned surgery for a bilateral mastectomy later this year.
"How am I going to pay for that?" said Weaver, "And bills just keep coming in, and not to mention other bills: car payments, truck payments, mortgage."
Danielle isn't alone in this dual battle. According to the American Cancer Society, women under the age of 65 with breast cancer have triple the health care expenses as those who don't.
In their surveys, 43% of women with a history of breast cancer said the cost of a treatment influenced whether they get it or not. 53% are in medical debt due to their cancer costs, and 20% weren't able to pay other bills like utility and rent due to their medical care costs.
"I wasn't married until September 3 of this year," said Weaver, "because I married my boyfriend, not to mention because I loved him, but for his added insurance."
She said her husband also went back to work full time to help pay for medical bills. Meanwhile, Weaver is fighting her short-term disability, as she was first denied the claim.
The cost isn't just financial. Weaver said the diagnosis also takes a toll on her family, especially keeping up with her daughters.
"It’s hard for me," said Weaver, "I lose my breath, I have no energy, I’m tired and I'm just not spending time with them like I want to."
Weaver said she is learning lessons like "swallow your pride and ask for help." She said her team of doctors sent home numerous resources. Her friends threw her wedding free of charge. Another friend also set up a GoFundMe page to crowdsource money for her medical bills.
"My first thought was I could die from this," said Weaver, "And I have so much more to live for."
RELATED VIDEO: 'Treatment is not linear' | Navigating the journey as a breast cancer survivor
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