A month ago, 10/11 brought you the story of Shelly Jones who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, but she doesn't have insurance to get the life-saving surgery she needs.

Since then, she's been doing all she can to get help, but she's still waiting. Meanwhile, the pain is getting worse.

The surgery will cost Shelly Jones more than $150,000 -- money she doesn't have. Her husband E.J. works 13-hour days to support her and their son Taye, but the money he makes is nowhere near enough for the surgery. Oddly, however, it's just enough to keep them from getting public assistance. Now that her condition is preexisting, there's no hope of insurance.

Some days are good for Shelly. Others days, the brain tumor takes control of her.

"The headaches have been coming back," said Shelly Jones.

When 10/11 talked to Shelly a month ago, she'd just found out she had a brain tumor. Despite not having insurance, she was optimistic her surgery would come quickly. Now she's come to a different realization.

"They're saying to get supplemental security income, it's 90 days and the disability could be 90 to 120," she said.

Shelly and E.J. have been run through the system and, so far, they've come out on the other end frustrated.

"Gangbangers -- they get shot up and who pays for that? Their surgeries?" questioned a baffled E.J. Jones. "They get immediate surgery and we all pay for that. But can we get something for my wife? No."

Her husband E.J. makes too much money for direct public aid, and medicaid requires matching funds of nearly $2,000 a month on top of the roughly $10,000 they owe for Shelly's initial diagnosis.

"For us to come up with that money is really hard," he said. "The only way we can get something is if we separate, or divorce, or if I quit my job," he finished, laughing at the irony.

Meanwhile, Shelly's tumor does more damage and no doctor will schedule a surgery without the money.

"That's the main concern. When's the surgery going to be? How is it going to turn out? If I'm going to have disabilities, paralysis?" Shelly wondered.

But with one glance at her 3-year-old son Taye, Shelly knows she must make it through.

"We try not to show our main concerns or worries in front of him, but he knows. He's not stupid," E.J. said.

"You try not to let it get you down, but it does. So, you just have to keep a positive attitude," Shelly said.

Some local businesses are helping out. The information on you can can too, is below:

Fundraiser for Shelly Jones.
Cappies Hot Spot Bar & Grill
5560 S. 48th Street #4
Food, Live Band, Raffle
Sept. 26, 5:30 p.m. - 1 a.m.

You can also bring cash donations at any Tier One Bank

Businesses wishing to donate a raffle item, contact Teresa Weaver at: 402-464-5114.