healing support funds for christine
Donation protected
I am reaching out through this forum, Go Fund Me, to request support during this difficult and challenging time in my life.
A small bit about ‘where I come from’
My whole life has been lived in the ‘natural realm’, having been blessed to be born into a family that lived life through food as medicine and natural exercise; being physically engaged with gardening, physical labor, walking, being in nature as a way of life. As I grew up I extended this way of life into my livelihood, to the extent that I devoted my life’s work to helping others live the most integrated lives as possible through the practices of yoga, meditation, whole foods education and general wellness practices.
So imagine my surprise and despair, in June of 2015 when I received a diagnosis of triple positive breast cancer. By August 2015, just after my 50th birthday, we further learned that the cancer had metastasized to my bones. Even with this devastating news I remained committed to my natural practices, engaging the guidance and Taoist practices under the guidance of Dr. Nan Lu, while also committing to a protocol agreed upon with my oncologist, which included an infusions of Herceptin and daily dose of Tamoxifen. I continued to feel well and work through the winter of 2015.
However, by January 2016 the disease process became more aggressive and by mid January I found myself in need of a lumbar spinal fusion. I healed well from the surgery, yet my ability to work with the same level of physicality and energy began to diminish.
Even with the diminished energy, I continued with work through early summer, yet there was increasing pain, indicating that the disease process was progressing, and a new approach was needing to be considered. By mid July, I had to postpone two work commitments and at the end of July was rushed to the emergency room in Morristown hospital, where we discovered there a pathological fracture of the right hip. Unfortunately, they were unable to perform the extensive surgery required to restore my right hip at Morristown Hospital, so I spent 7 days waiting for a bed at Sloan Kettering.
When I was finally transferred to Sloan they also discovered a pathological fracture in my cervical spine. So within one week I was faced with undergoing 2 major surgeries. Fortunately I was in the hands of two excellent surgeons, yet I faced quite a bit of rehabilitation ahead of me.
After the surgeries I spent the remainder of August through mid October recovering in rehabilitation facilities, as well as having started a new chemotherapy regime.
I presently find myself in a situation where I cannot work to support myself; doing the things I have done my whole life to support my daily life and take care of my financial responsibilities. As you can imagine this is not only a physically challenging moment but is also an extremely challenging moment emotionally for me.
Yet, I must face and embrace this because it is my current reality. I now need to humbly lean into the support that can be there for me if I ask for it. So, I am asking for your support to help me through this time. The majority of financial support will be applied to medical bills not covered by insurance, to relieve some of the financial burden from my family, in the form of changes/alterations to their home, such as ramps and grab bars; as well as general expenses that can not always be predicted.
I am so grateful to be in New Jersey where my family is able to support me physically and emotionally on a daily basis during my ongoing treatment and recovery. It has been difficult to reconcile ‘Cancer-land’ and living life connected to nature, people, art, and finding my way to live life fully in spite of cancer. Joy and sorrow are inevitable. Whatever you may be able to offer during this difficult moment will go an immeasurable way to helping me to be present for my life—Life, with a capital "L," which is all about transformation, from beginning to end; and to remember that I am in the middle of transformation.
Lastly, I am sure all of you can imagine how difficult it is for me to write this letter asking for financial support and revealing this very vulnerable time. In that vein, please understand my wish for privacy and for not wanting to spread this news through the channels of social media or Facebook. However if you if you feel moved to do so, you are welcome to share it through email.
Thank you so much for your consideration. Your love and prayers are deeply appreciated.
With Gratitude
Christine
A small bit about ‘where I come from’
My whole life has been lived in the ‘natural realm’, having been blessed to be born into a family that lived life through food as medicine and natural exercise; being physically engaged with gardening, physical labor, walking, being in nature as a way of life. As I grew up I extended this way of life into my livelihood, to the extent that I devoted my life’s work to helping others live the most integrated lives as possible through the practices of yoga, meditation, whole foods education and general wellness practices.
So imagine my surprise and despair, in June of 2015 when I received a diagnosis of triple positive breast cancer. By August 2015, just after my 50th birthday, we further learned that the cancer had metastasized to my bones. Even with this devastating news I remained committed to my natural practices, engaging the guidance and Taoist practices under the guidance of Dr. Nan Lu, while also committing to a protocol agreed upon with my oncologist, which included an infusions of Herceptin and daily dose of Tamoxifen. I continued to feel well and work through the winter of 2015.
However, by January 2016 the disease process became more aggressive and by mid January I found myself in need of a lumbar spinal fusion. I healed well from the surgery, yet my ability to work with the same level of physicality and energy began to diminish.
Even with the diminished energy, I continued with work through early summer, yet there was increasing pain, indicating that the disease process was progressing, and a new approach was needing to be considered. By mid July, I had to postpone two work commitments and at the end of July was rushed to the emergency room in Morristown hospital, where we discovered there a pathological fracture of the right hip. Unfortunately, they were unable to perform the extensive surgery required to restore my right hip at Morristown Hospital, so I spent 7 days waiting for a bed at Sloan Kettering.
When I was finally transferred to Sloan they also discovered a pathological fracture in my cervical spine. So within one week I was faced with undergoing 2 major surgeries. Fortunately I was in the hands of two excellent surgeons, yet I faced quite a bit of rehabilitation ahead of me.
After the surgeries I spent the remainder of August through mid October recovering in rehabilitation facilities, as well as having started a new chemotherapy regime.
I presently find myself in a situation where I cannot work to support myself; doing the things I have done my whole life to support my daily life and take care of my financial responsibilities. As you can imagine this is not only a physically challenging moment but is also an extremely challenging moment emotionally for me.
Yet, I must face and embrace this because it is my current reality. I now need to humbly lean into the support that can be there for me if I ask for it. So, I am asking for your support to help me through this time. The majority of financial support will be applied to medical bills not covered by insurance, to relieve some of the financial burden from my family, in the form of changes/alterations to their home, such as ramps and grab bars; as well as general expenses that can not always be predicted.
I am so grateful to be in New Jersey where my family is able to support me physically and emotionally on a daily basis during my ongoing treatment and recovery. It has been difficult to reconcile ‘Cancer-land’ and living life connected to nature, people, art, and finding my way to live life fully in spite of cancer. Joy and sorrow are inevitable. Whatever you may be able to offer during this difficult moment will go an immeasurable way to helping me to be present for my life—Life, with a capital "L," which is all about transformation, from beginning to end; and to remember that I am in the middle of transformation.
Lastly, I am sure all of you can imagine how difficult it is for me to write this letter asking for financial support and revealing this very vulnerable time. In that vein, please understand my wish for privacy and for not wanting to spread this news through the channels of social media or Facebook. However if you if you feel moved to do so, you are welcome to share it through email.
Thank you so much for your consideration. Your love and prayers are deeply appreciated.
With Gratitude
Christine
Organizer
Christine Ambrosino
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY