Carla Korman #help4carla

No-one should have to be alone while undergoing major surgery.  Your support will enable Carla's husband, Jay, to stay in Vancouver throughout her surgery and 6 - 8 day recovery without the added worry of covering travel expenses and everyday bills during that time.

Hi, my name is Priscilla and I'm raising funds for my niece, Carla Korman.

Three years ago, September 4th, 2019, Carla had surgery to remove a large mass on her ovary, along with both ovaries and fallopian tubes, her appendix, and some fatty tissue from the stomach wall. The tumour was malignant, and when the pathology report came back, almost all the other tissue samples were positive for cancer cells. Carla began chemo in October, which necessitated a five-hour trip from their home, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, to Victoria every two weeks for six months.

During that time Carla wrote, "All the travelling and uncertainty is quite wearing on me and of course Jay. I am so blessed to have him beside me through this. He has been my nurse, my chauffeur, and my rock. Thank you for your prayers. They are felt by us each day."

Carla's treatments continued into 2020. The months of treatment following surgery left her exhausted, but cancer free.

Those of us who know and love Carla were so awed by the strength and resiliency she evidenced as she struggled to heal. That smile you see in the photo? It, together with her ready laugh, lights up the room.

But it's hard to smile through pain.

Now, just over two years later, Carla received devastating news. She shared the following with her friends and family:

Well, I have been putting off sharing about what has been going on for the past few months but I am now asking for your prayers and love. My cancer has returned. They have found it in my colon. As a reoccurrence of stage 4 goblet cell adenocarcinoma of the appendix, it is not good news at all.

We have basically been told there is not much they can do besides palliative care leaving us devastated. After having some more tests done and multiple Doctor consultations, my oncologist surgeon from Vancouver called yesterday and has given us a glimmer of hope.

Dr. Hamilton has decided that he would like to try to remove the section of colon that is cancerous, stating that when he opens me up if he sees any other cancer spread he will not continue with the surgery as it would do more harm than good. His main concern is my well-being which I appreciate so much.

He is hoping to do the surgery in September sometime. [NOTE: My surgery is now set for September 23rd]. This will not be a cure but at least buy me some time. During all of the tests, they also found a cyst-like growth on my brain. We are talking with a neurosurgeon on September 20 for his thoughts and diagnosis. It has been a tough road so far and we have a long one yet. Please keep Jason Korman and me in your prayers. Jay has been my rock and is wearing himself out caring for me. I am fairly weak and struggling with pain, nausea and headaches. I have days when it is hard to get out of bed (like today).

Please pray for our strength and faith in the months to come.

Love to you all.

Those of us who live in remote places or know people who do, understand the challenges and stress of leaving your support base when you are at your weakest and most vulnerable in order to access essential treatment. Carla and Jay live just off the coast of Ucluelet, a small community on the west coast of Vancouver Island. A two-and-a-half-hour drive to the ferry terminal in Nanaimo to wait for sailing, a two-hour crossing, and another hour's drive to Vancouver General Hospital takes the greater part of the day.

Travel expenses, lost wages, and an uncertain future took its toll the first time around. And now, just two years later, Carla and Jay must face it again.

Please help Carla and Jay by taking one or more of the actions below.

1. Pray for them. Pray for strength and peace. Pray they will have the energy to channel their love for one another towards healing. Pray that the Doctors will have wisdom and insight. Pray for a positive outcome.

2. Share this on your social media accounts and ask others to do the same. The load is lighter when carried by many.

3. Contribute to this GoFundMe. Help alleviate the stress of travel expenses and daily bills by giving. All donations will go directly to Carla and Jay. No amount is too small. Your gift infuses hope.

Thank you so much❤️

#help4carla

Carla shared this with us. Beautiful!