Haley's Transformative Journey to Health

Hi, I'm Lindsay. Most of you know me as sissy/bestie of Haley and mama of River. I'm here with some not-so-great news: after a routine mammogram last month, Haley's doctors have discovered a small malignant tumor in her breast. Her cancer team is optimistic about their treatment plan, which will as of now include a lumpectomy on Tuesday the 18th, likely followed by several weeks of radiation later this spring/summer. More testing is required, and the plan may change, but for now, we are all taking it one step at a time and choosing to identify this journey not as Haley's battle with cancer, but as a "Transformative Journey to Health."

I know Haley is beloved in every community to which she belongs because of the way she loves and supports friends/family/neighbors/colleagues with her whole heart. Now is an opportunity for all of us to love and advocate for her. Haley does have insurance (thank sweet baby Jesus) but y'all know how co-pays, medication and surgery/treatment costs can pile up in a healthcare system as toxic and broken as ours. Contributing to this GoFundMe is just one optional way to help lighten the load of the financial stress while staying informed, as I'll be sure to update this group along the way. Haley has been my mama bear for my whole life, and now it's my turn to be hers, so here are some other big and small ways to protect and support her well-being if crowd-funding isn't your jam.

YAY for Haley:

-Letting her know what she means to you

-Reminding her that she doesn't need to respond to your messages

-Respecting her love of space and solitude (you can always check in with me, Miguel, or Brooke)

-Funny memes

-Make her an Apple/Youtube playlist (she loves all kinds of music; doesn't use Spotify)

-Some folks have asked about meal train, but because of dietary restrictions and the fact she's just one person, she'd prefer gift cards for DoorDash, coffee, local restaurants.

NAY for Haley:

-Telling Haley you're praying for her (It's cool if you ARE praying for her; it's just the language around God/religion is not as comforting as you'd think to a person who has experienced religious trauma)

-Optimism overkill (it's cool to be positive, but we are feeling all the feels over here)

-Asking her to do unnecessary labor (this one comes directly from me, the sister...I'm watching you)