Marvellous Mel- a.k.a The Whipple Warrior

Some of you may already know of my sister Mel’s journey over the last couple of years. For those that don’t, I will give a bit of background.

In 2019, Mel underwent a number of imaging and biopsy procedures and was told she had a benign growth on her pancreas. A few months later she was told she would need to return for another biopsy as the initial sample was not 100 % clear. The second biopsy obtained unfortunately showed malignancy . They discovered that the growth was actually a rare neuroendocrine tumor. The silver lining/little bit of hope to her diagnosis Was that this particular type of pancreatic cancer can potentially be cured by having a “Whipple” procedure. It is quite an invasive and risky surgery, however options are limited when it comes to pancreatic cancer. The hospital stay is a minimum of 7-10 days. Recovery can be 3-6 months.

Now the timing of this shocking news for Mel couldn’t have come at a worse time. You see… her loving sister had just convinced her to leave her stable, comfy position with Scotian Gold Head office and start a brand new career in Healthcare !

She had only just started one week prior to her diagnosis (August 2021) and was told by her surgeon that he would like to have her surgery completed no later than Christmas time.

In typical Selfless fashion, Melanie put her surgery off for months worrying about leaving her work for others (me) to do in her absence, worrying about not having adequate sick hours accumulated to cover her finances with just starting her new position, worrying about completing her Christmas present shopping for her family and friends, worrying about her son Braydn, just a very long list of worry. All the while, not worrying about her most important person…. Herself! So hence my purpose for creating this go fund me for her. I want us to lessen her worries. I want her to focus on healing and getting herself back! If you are a friend or family of mine taking the time to read this then you already know how much I need her to get herself back! And if you are a family or friend of Mel’s then you yourself will want to see her get herself back! I am hopeful she can use these ‘extra’ funds to help with groceries (we all know healthy food= healthy healing) and maybe she may even get herself a Fancy new plant she’s always wanted but would never buy herself! If you are unable to help out financially at this time, I would be equally as thankful if you could send me some words of encouragement, well wishes or prayers for Mel. I plan to print them all off and make her a special bouquet of wishes to take to her in the hospital.

Mel has managed to make it through: learning the inner workings of the healthcare organization (at a very fast pace I might add), ongoing challenges all healthcare workers have been faced with, 4 waves of Covid crisis work, learned a whole new language (medical terminology), supported post Covid patients and continues to support her Western Zone team with fierce work ethic.

It is now time for Mel to put her faith in the other side of that same healthcare organization she Has given so much to in just a few short months. It is time for us to take care of her now.

Every struggle becomes a part of your story. I can’t wait to see what this struggle leads you to Mel. I know it will be good! Next Chapter please…