Boogieing Down with Breast Cancer
Donation protected
Dear Family & Friends,
My aunt Annalesha a.k.a aunty bang (a family nickname all her life “Boogie-Bang”) is 32 years young has her degree in Criminology and was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2015 just after returning to work from maternity leave following the birth of my cousin Sanai. My aunt is married to Tarik and their oldest son Tarai is seven.
Uncle Tarik first met my aunt at Norland High School. They re-connected Febuary 2008 and by December that year he moved to London and in 2009 they were married. Uncle Tarik.....well what can I say, where should I start, he is a provider and hardworker, conscientious, meticulous, honest, upstanding, virtuous and spirtual. He has taught me many attributes including my bbq skills! In 2015, he left his job at UPS to take care of my aunt and my little cousins. Uncle Tarik is my aunts inspiration, care giver, support system and he is the most humble person I know on this earth.
My aunt is an exceptional beautiful, fearless women. She helped my mum raise me as a young child. She's my aunt, mum, friend, my go to person on my happy and sad days, she's my voice of reason, a pillar of strength & courage and if you know her like I do she has never been afraid to say what's on her mind.
She started Chemotherapy October 2015 and in February 2016 she underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction and 17 lymph nodes removed. She was going to start radiotherapy but she had a pain in her neck, so she had an ultrasound and biopsy…as it turned out the cancer metastasized to her liver. After countless tests and wait time she was finally approved and eligible for Merck immunotherapy clinical trial. While she underwent the clinical trial the remaining lymph nodes in her arm and chest were extremely swollen, sore and painful. She was on morphine every-day to alleviate her pain as well as several other medications. My aunty bang has been poked and prodded, waited for test after test after test, fatigue, physical pain and sleeplessness set in long ago.
At my aunt’s 9th week on immunotherapy she was scheduled for a baseline CT scan for results. The results were not good the tumor on her liver had grown. The oncologist team scheduled CT scans for her neck, chest and abdomen/pelvis area. Immediate chemotherapy cycles started one cycle consisting of 2 treatments totalling 16 chemo sessions. The crazy pain, the vomiting, the hot and cold flashes the headaches she was still hanging tough, true definition of a Warrior fighting the fight.
Two weeks ago she was scheduled for a precautionary CT scan on her brain it was then that she was given the devastating news that the cancer had spread to the right side of her brain. Now we wait for the Radiotherapy treatment plan….
Now that we are moving onto the next chapter in the Edgehill Family’s journey this heartfelt campaign is to raise money to assist with additional expenses for the day to day family expenses, including trips to and from the hospital for tests and treatments, complimentary therapy (Reflexology, lymphatic drainage massages, acupunture, patient focused yoga and reiki healing therapy) additional medical expenses including private consultations, personal essentials for treatments and procedures (pre & post). Home improvements to promote healthier living. Family activities like their "garden of hope" project and learning resources for my young cousins. Perhaps even a trip as a family too once they're able to travel for some recovery time together!
Your donation will be gratefully appreciated and we sincerely thank you.
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein
One love all the time – Aja Glaze
@naturaleesh
#wefighttogether
#annasarmy
#onwardsneverbackwards
#givethanksandpraise
#celebratinglife
#godsgotthis
#cancerwillneverwin
#serenitylivewithinme
#guideandprotect
#blessed
Organizer
Donna Joseph
Organizer
Hollywood, FL