Please Help Michelle Fight Stage 4 Breast Cancer
Donation protected
I was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer (Mets, MBC) in my right breast, and it has spread to my lymph nodes and my pancreas.
I guess you could say I’m one of the lucky ones; I’m young (I’m 41 years old), I’m in good health (I was a fitness trainer, nutritionalist and yoga teacher until recently when I decided to go back to school to get my Masters in Education). I have amazing friends and family who I am so grateful for and I have had some awesome experiences in my life.
But im not done yet. I’m not ready to die yet. This terminal illness takes 40,000 women a year. I will not be one of them. Not this year and not anytime soon.
But I need help.
Here is what I know about Metastatic Breast Cancer:
* there is no cure. I will never “beat” this. It is a type of cancer that will always be in my body and will require constant management and treatment.
* I will be in treatment for the rest of my life.
* I will undergo rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and surgery for the rest of my life.
* it has forever changed my life and that of those who love me.
* I WILL USE IT TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON. I may have a lot less time than I thought I had here on this earth, but whatever time I do have I plan to use to live to my fullest potential. I plan to go on more canoe trips, to finish my Masters and start teaching, to enjoy life every single day because it is short and it is so filled with wonderful things.
I’m asking you for your help in my journey. I am unable to work throughout treatment, as Chemothetspy makes you very ill and I will be undergoing a particularly intense form of chemo to try and shrink the tumours in my breast, lymph nodes and pancreas. ODSP takes 6 months to process and even then gives only a max of 1,600 per month. And the charities are so wonderful but they give only one time donations of a max of 2,000.
Cancer is expensive. And as a single woman with no partner to help with the financial load, I am fighting this alone.
My parents are in their 70’s and It’s not fair they have to deal with a daughter going through this. The emotional toll is devastating.
I am of the belief that the body can heal itself and natural medicine is essential in combination with medical treatments. I have been advised to purchase a Berkeley water system ($600) for pure drinking water and an infra red sauna ($4,000) which has shown results in studies to help with cancer and to help with the side effects of chemo.
A naturopathic oncologist and reiki treatments are also essential to my treatment plan to help with pain and nausea. So I’m asking for a lot I know. I don’t have children which is a blessing as I would hate to have to put them through this, but I am in need.
Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Xo Michelle
I guess you could say I’m one of the lucky ones; I’m young (I’m 41 years old), I’m in good health (I was a fitness trainer, nutritionalist and yoga teacher until recently when I decided to go back to school to get my Masters in Education). I have amazing friends and family who I am so grateful for and I have had some awesome experiences in my life.
But im not done yet. I’m not ready to die yet. This terminal illness takes 40,000 women a year. I will not be one of them. Not this year and not anytime soon.
But I need help.
Here is what I know about Metastatic Breast Cancer:
* there is no cure. I will never “beat” this. It is a type of cancer that will always be in my body and will require constant management and treatment.
* I will be in treatment for the rest of my life.
* I will undergo rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and surgery for the rest of my life.
* it has forever changed my life and that of those who love me.
* I WILL USE IT TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON. I may have a lot less time than I thought I had here on this earth, but whatever time I do have I plan to use to live to my fullest potential. I plan to go on more canoe trips, to finish my Masters and start teaching, to enjoy life every single day because it is short and it is so filled with wonderful things.
I’m asking you for your help in my journey. I am unable to work throughout treatment, as Chemothetspy makes you very ill and I will be undergoing a particularly intense form of chemo to try and shrink the tumours in my breast, lymph nodes and pancreas. ODSP takes 6 months to process and even then gives only a max of 1,600 per month. And the charities are so wonderful but they give only one time donations of a max of 2,000.
Cancer is expensive. And as a single woman with no partner to help with the financial load, I am fighting this alone.
My parents are in their 70’s and It’s not fair they have to deal with a daughter going through this. The emotional toll is devastating.
I am of the belief that the body can heal itself and natural medicine is essential in combination with medical treatments. I have been advised to purchase a Berkeley water system ($600) for pure drinking water and an infra red sauna ($4,000) which has shown results in studies to help with cancer and to help with the side effects of chemo.
A naturopathic oncologist and reiki treatments are also essential to my treatment plan to help with pain and nausea. So I’m asking for a lot I know. I don’t have children which is a blessing as I would hate to have to put them through this, but I am in need.
Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Xo Michelle
Fundraising team: Michelle’s Army (5)
Michelle Westgarth
Organizer
London, ON
Shelby Bee
Team member
Bob Geilen
Team member
Jana Hammond
Team member
Joanne Merner
Team member