Help Candace Kick Cancer's Ass

Hi, my name is Candace Marshall and I am 51 years old and a Clinical Counsellor in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  I never thought I would find myself in a position of asking for this kind of help, but as I have found out, cancer does not discriminate.


My Story:
My journey began in November 17th 2020 when I was referred to an ear/nose/throat (ENT) specialist by my family doctor because I thought my hearing was not what it used to be.  During that examination I discovered two things: 1) my hearing was within normal range and; 2) I had a mass in my throat/tonsil that the ENT specialist was not willing to diagnose but wanted to send me to a surgeon.  WTF….a surgeon?  


That fact I was being immediately referred to a surgeon somehow ‘escaped’ me at the time.  But when I got home, I looked down my throat to take a look at the ‘mass’ the ENT specialist was talking about.  Sure enough when I tucked my tongue down, I could see a mass emanating from my right tonsil.  It was then it dawned on me, I was scheduled to see a surgeon.  Instinctively, I knew this wasn’t good.  Something in my gut told me, I had cancer.  Like anyone, I turned to Google Images. Seeing similar images of the bump in my neck (that I was now aware of) and the mass at the back of my throat – all told me, I had cancer. Two weeks later on December 1st  the surgeon who took a biopsy confirmed that indeed, I had cancer. 
 
The wait until December 11th to hear back on the biopsy was excruciating.  During that telephone follow up, the surgeon confirmed I likely had Stage 3 Squamous Cell Carcinoma Tonsil Cancer and it had spread to my lymph nodes.  Looking back, this was a time when Google was not so helpful.
 
As you might expect, this was devastating to hear,  but the diagnostic process was not over yet.  Next stop, the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) on December 31st .  Not exactly the way I had anticipating bringing in the New Year.
 
The appointment with the radiation oncologists was difficult.  Due to a probable Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis (yup, 2020 was a doozie – also compounded by a breast cancer scare and withdrawing from my PhD program), it was suggested that surgery was the preferred route instead of radiation and chemotherapy.  Their reasoning behind suggesting surgery as a first line of treatment was because they were worried that the radiation could exacerbate the demyelination in my brain due to the MS.  In the meantime, the radiation oncologists were going to present my case to the tumour board think tank at BCCA. 


Fast forward 2 weeks, the results from the PET scan indicated that surgery was not an option.  Now formally diagnosed with Stage 2 HVP Tonsil Cancer (downgraded to Stage 2 from Stage 3 because of cancer type) the tumour had grown and had spread to adjacent tissues. 
 
My gratitude in all of this? - The PET scan confirmed my cancer has not spread through my lymph nodes to other organs in my body.


On February 8th 2021, I begin what has been described as a rough-going 7-week radiation and chemotherapy regiment.  My weekly treatment schedule will include radiation treatment Monday to Friday and adjunctive chemotherapy once a week.  At the end of this treatment regiment, the doctors will assess its efficacy and whether or not surgery will be necessary.


Why am I asking for your help?
 
As a Clinical Counsellor specializing in trauma in private practice, my original intention was to do what I have always done – suck it up, power through and continue working with my clients/patients as much as possible.  My oncologists, however have all said that in their experience with this type of cancer and its treatments, if I continue to push myself while undergoing radiation and chemotherapy and continue to strain my speaking voice – it will significantly impede my healing and prolong my recovery.  Now that the tumour has grown in the short time since my original diagnosis, I am already experiencing difficulties speaking and swallowing.  The latter of which is concerning considering if I am unable to maintain a healthy weight because of pain and/or discomfort swallowing, a feeding tube may be required.

Oddly enough, my master’s thesis was on cancer patient’s emotional adjustment to a cancer diagnosis:(https://www.academia.edu/40282807/In_the_Margins_Unsolicited_Comments_of_Cancer_Patients_Across_the_First_Year_After_Diagnosis). 
On top of the many stresses relating to ‘having cancer’, one of the things that is resonating the most from my research is how do I balance my physical and mental health needs and still pay my bills?  For me, being the owner/operator of a small private counselling practice and having to take time off for cancer treatment has one stark reality: If I don’t work, I have no income.

Given that I have been a financially struggling student for 16 years working towards a PhD (which I had to withdraw from last year for health reasons) and unexpectedly having to begin my own practice during my PhD, my husband and I have grappled to financially stay afloat.  Further adding to the obvious stress of having cancer and how do my husband Glen and I navigate it financially?  The doctors are advising me that my treatment regime will be physically and emotionally demanding.  All of my health care team at BCCA as well as my family doctor, friends, family and colleagues and are strongly urging me to take the necessary time to focus on treatment and healing.  This will likely necessitate my husband taking leave from work as well.



I now find myself in the unfamiliar position of asking the for help.  While this is both humbling and uncomfortable, friends, family and colleagues have reminded me that I have dedicated a lot of time doing Pro Bono counselling, assessments and offering sliding scale fees to clients who do not have resources, benefits or even jobs to pay for my services.  Since beginning my practice March 1st 2018, I have provided over $35k in services to those who could not afford help otherwise.  This is particularly relevant given that a substantial portion of my clinical work is with clients challenged with Dissociative Identity Disorder and related dissociative conditions - who often fall through the cracks in terms of the shortage of clinical expertise, appropriate diagnoses and available treatment options.
 
What I find myself needing help with is my loss of income and keeping my office open so I can continue to serve the community I am dedicated to helping.  I feel enormously privileged to have an education that allows me to do what I was born to do – help others.  Recognizing the importance of community and my place within it as a dedicated feminist orientated mental health provider, I, Candace Marshall am doing what is quite unnatural for me, asking for your help.  


My Humble Request:
 
With your assistance, I am hoping raise $15,000 over the next couple of months.  These funds will be used to help with the loss of income through the spring to cover the following:

·      Additional medical expenses
·      Medications
·      Transportation to and from the BCCA
·      Counselling practice monthly rent/expenses
·      Personal/home monthly rent and expenses

Your compassion and generosity will help ease the financial burden of taking the necessary 2 to 3 months off to focus on my treatment and healing that will ultimately allow me to beat my cancer.  Your help will allow me at the end of this journey, to return to my counselling practice so that I can continue serving my community’s mental health needs.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. 
 
Keep healthy and well!
 
Nameste,
 
Candace Marshall