FU Cancer: Support Michelle
Donation protected
THE STORY:
For those of you who have met Michelle and Mike, these words may come to mind: Love, commitment, resilience, communication, laughter, solid, team. They have faced many challenges in their 12 years together from persevering through challenging relocations due to Mike’s career with the Canadian Armed Force, a deployment and 3 young children - the youngest diagnosed with #coffinsirissyndrome, a rare genetic disorder which causes a development disability.
Around two years ago, Michelle was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and her life, as well as that of her family, changed forever. She has had to endure surgeries (a full hysterectomy, nephrostomy bag and losing a kidney), chemo, hospital stays, infections, two bowel obstruction and the list could go on. In addition to the physical aspect of cancer, she’s been on a roller coaster of emotions with what seems like one obstacle after another.
With the initial diagnosis, she received the devastating news that her cancer is not treatable. She would live with this disease for the rest of her life. The prognosis was 2 – 10 years. She is currently passed the 2-year mark and on her 3rd round of chemo.
In the past, her chemo treatments have mostly worked as planned (reducing her levels and stopping the cancer from growing). Sadly, this round, her levels have gone up during chemo and they have confirmed tumours growing inside of her. Her medical team is fantastic, and they’ve switched her treatment plan to use a different chemo cocktail. Because of this, Michelle and Mike had to put off booking a much needed and looked forward to beach vacation (kid free). On Wednesday, January 22, 2020 Michelle was hospitalized for her second bowel obstruction in less than a month, which might become her new reality. With every obstruction comes an “NG Tube” through her nose and bowel rest and if everything goes as planned, she’s in the hospital for a few days, away from her family.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
1. DONATIONS
When dealing with chronic and long-term illness, there is usually an out-pour of love, support, offers to help, checking in, etc. when the diagnosis is shared and then again with any setbacks. But, as we go through our day to day and time passes, naturally, this becomes less frequent. It is easy to forget that the patient and their family are dealing with the illness and its ripple effects in their daily life.
People like Mike and Michelle are amazing, strong, proud and not ones to ask for help or accept handouts. That’s not who they are. They deal with life as it comes and try to make the best of it, no matter how difficult it may be. Tears are shed and breakdowns happen behind closed doors. They don’t want to burden anyone and want to keep things as normal as they can, especially for the kids.
With the recent news of the disease progressions and its impacts, so many people have reached out looking for ways in which they can support Michelle and her family. Because of this, we’ve decided to create a “go fund me” page as an option for anyone who wants to do “something” and help. Every little bit helps, whether it’s $5 or $100. Please rest assured they are not under any undue financial stress, but sincerely appreciate your generosity which is extremely valuable during this difficult time.
All proceeds will go directly to Mike and Michelle and will be used towards things like gas, food while on the road to Ottawa for chemo treatments (Ottawa is 1.5 hours away), parking, childcare, ready made foods, portion of medication not covered by insurance, etc.
2. SNAIL MAIL
Another way in which you can make a difference is to participate in the #SNAILMAILTOMICHELLE campaign. During a recent visit to from Calgary to Pembroke over the holidays, Michelle shared with her sister that a simple thing that really cheers her up and can turn her day around is receiving good old fashion snail mail. With that, the #snailmailtomichelle campaign was launched, bringing a little joy to her door almost daily over the past few weeks.
Participating is easy. Send Michelle a thoughtful or funny greeting card, write her a letter, or send her a gift (homemade, store bought, gift card, flowers, whatever you’d like etc.) There are no rules here except to have fun and be creative with it. There are no right or wrong things to say or send. The simple fact that you are participating is the point and what will make a difference. (*repeat participation is allowed and strongly encouraged)
For flowers, Pembroke has a fantastic local shop and Pam, from Chahna Fai is offering a generous 20% for anything being sent to Michelle. You can place on online order with same day delivery here
Address:
Michelle Vachon
524 Mary Street
Pembroke ON
K8A 5X1
THE BLOG
Michelle is a very gifted writer and has decided to share her cancer journey via a blog (real, raw, factual, and emotional). If you’d like to learn more about her cancer journey and follow along for updates, please do so Here .
THANK YOU
From the bottom of our hearts, as well as Mike & Michelle, thank you so much for all of the warm thoughts, positive vibes and reaching out with offers to help. You are doing more than you know for these amazing people and their young family. Please feel free to share their story and link to your social media.
For those of you who have met Michelle and Mike, these words may come to mind: Love, commitment, resilience, communication, laughter, solid, team. They have faced many challenges in their 12 years together from persevering through challenging relocations due to Mike’s career with the Canadian Armed Force, a deployment and 3 young children - the youngest diagnosed with #coffinsirissyndrome, a rare genetic disorder which causes a development disability.
Around two years ago, Michelle was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and her life, as well as that of her family, changed forever. She has had to endure surgeries (a full hysterectomy, nephrostomy bag and losing a kidney), chemo, hospital stays, infections, two bowel obstruction and the list could go on. In addition to the physical aspect of cancer, she’s been on a roller coaster of emotions with what seems like one obstacle after another.
With the initial diagnosis, she received the devastating news that her cancer is not treatable. She would live with this disease for the rest of her life. The prognosis was 2 – 10 years. She is currently passed the 2-year mark and on her 3rd round of chemo.
In the past, her chemo treatments have mostly worked as planned (reducing her levels and stopping the cancer from growing). Sadly, this round, her levels have gone up during chemo and they have confirmed tumours growing inside of her. Her medical team is fantastic, and they’ve switched her treatment plan to use a different chemo cocktail. Because of this, Michelle and Mike had to put off booking a much needed and looked forward to beach vacation (kid free). On Wednesday, January 22, 2020 Michelle was hospitalized for her second bowel obstruction in less than a month, which might become her new reality. With every obstruction comes an “NG Tube” through her nose and bowel rest and if everything goes as planned, she’s in the hospital for a few days, away from her family.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
1. DONATIONS
When dealing with chronic and long-term illness, there is usually an out-pour of love, support, offers to help, checking in, etc. when the diagnosis is shared and then again with any setbacks. But, as we go through our day to day and time passes, naturally, this becomes less frequent. It is easy to forget that the patient and their family are dealing with the illness and its ripple effects in their daily life.
People like Mike and Michelle are amazing, strong, proud and not ones to ask for help or accept handouts. That’s not who they are. They deal with life as it comes and try to make the best of it, no matter how difficult it may be. Tears are shed and breakdowns happen behind closed doors. They don’t want to burden anyone and want to keep things as normal as they can, especially for the kids.
With the recent news of the disease progressions and its impacts, so many people have reached out looking for ways in which they can support Michelle and her family. Because of this, we’ve decided to create a “go fund me” page as an option for anyone who wants to do “something” and help. Every little bit helps, whether it’s $5 or $100. Please rest assured they are not under any undue financial stress, but sincerely appreciate your generosity which is extremely valuable during this difficult time.
All proceeds will go directly to Mike and Michelle and will be used towards things like gas, food while on the road to Ottawa for chemo treatments (Ottawa is 1.5 hours away), parking, childcare, ready made foods, portion of medication not covered by insurance, etc.
2. SNAIL MAIL
Another way in which you can make a difference is to participate in the #SNAILMAILTOMICHELLE campaign. During a recent visit to from Calgary to Pembroke over the holidays, Michelle shared with her sister that a simple thing that really cheers her up and can turn her day around is receiving good old fashion snail mail. With that, the #snailmailtomichelle campaign was launched, bringing a little joy to her door almost daily over the past few weeks.
Participating is easy. Send Michelle a thoughtful or funny greeting card, write her a letter, or send her a gift (homemade, store bought, gift card, flowers, whatever you’d like etc.) There are no rules here except to have fun and be creative with it. There are no right or wrong things to say or send. The simple fact that you are participating is the point and what will make a difference. (*repeat participation is allowed and strongly encouraged)
For flowers, Pembroke has a fantastic local shop and Pam, from Chahna Fai is offering a generous 20% for anything being sent to Michelle. You can place on online order with same day delivery here
Address:
Michelle Vachon
524 Mary Street
Pembroke ON
K8A 5X1
THE BLOG
Michelle is a very gifted writer and has decided to share her cancer journey via a blog (real, raw, factual, and emotional). If you’d like to learn more about her cancer journey and follow along for updates, please do so Here .
THANK YOU
From the bottom of our hearts, as well as Mike & Michelle, thank you so much for all of the warm thoughts, positive vibes and reaching out with offers to help. You are doing more than you know for these amazing people and their young family. Please feel free to share their story and link to your social media.
Co-organizers (4)
Danielle Wolf
Organizer
Pembroke, ON
Michelle Vachon
Beneficiary
Dayna Bourgoin
Co-organizer
Jennifer Pritchard
Co-organizer