Maria and her daughters live in Middle Tennessee, where she works as an Executive Hospice Care Consultant. A nurse by profession, Maria has dedicated her life to helping families through some of the hardest times in their lives.
In 2015, her life was turned upside down when she had a mammogram which led to a needle biopsy and hearing the words, “you have cancer.” Maria was told she had three genetic mutations that could lead to more aggressive forms of cancer in the future. She underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction in March 2016. Due to several complications she required four additional surgeries over the next year.
As her treatment progressed and she was no longer able to work full time, Maria lost access to her private health insurance. A nurse navigator insisted that Maria apply for TennCare Medicaid through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
Without TennCare Medicaid Maria says, “The choice would have been let the cancer continue to grow or be homeless.” She is so grateful for the care provided to her while undergoing cancer treatment and surgeries with TennCare Medicaid.
Maria recognizes that many families, even with professional careers, are only one diagnosis away from financial disaster. “If it wasn’t for TennCare Medicaid, we’d be bankrupt or worse.”
