Support Charmaine as she Conquers Breast Cancer
Donation protected
A couple of months ago our beautiful sister Charmaine was diagnosed with stage two, ER+ HER2- breast cancer. A result she received after visiting a Breastscreen WA van for a free mammogram whilst it was stationed close to her regional town.
Charmaine has shown such strength and bravery from the moment she was diagnosed. She has faced every challenge with incredible positivity & determination, whilst keeping her sense of humour and inspiring others around her.
Courageously she has already undergone a bilateral mastectomy and latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction in a huge 8-hour surgery, where they also did an axillary clearance (lymph node removal) under her right arm. It was a massive procedure and so far her recovery through this part has been remarkable, she has even been working a few hours each week to keep a bit of normality and her mind occupied but unfortunately she is not out of the woods yet.
A snapshot of what her next 8 months+ will look like... consisting of travelling to and from the city for 2 types chemotherapy, AC, every 3 weeks for 12 weeks, then Paclitaxel, which is administered every week for a further 12 weeks. This will be followed by 5 weeks, Monday to Friday, of radiation therapy. All the while having Physiotherapy and Surgeon appointments to inflate her tissue expanders in between. Once given the all clear there will then be a further surgery to complete her breast reconstruction. She will then be required to take estrogen blockers for 10 years.
Being as resilient as she is and still not letting all of this break her spirit she is taking what little control she has right now and has decided to shave her long, luscious curls before the chemo takes them away. Her husband, Dean, and I will be joining her in this giant step, showing her that we are with her 100% and she is not alone in this.
Living regionally has its difficulties, at the best of times, but is increased even moreso when someone is ill and needs treatments and specialist appointments in the city, 3 hours away. In addition, Charmaine and Dean, both missing work since her diagnosis, financial stresses have, and will continue to be, an incredible burden.
People have asked what they can do to help and now is your chance, if you are able, to get onboard and give what you can. Anything you can give to help Charmaine and Dean will be humbly appreciated. Any amount, no matter how small, will significantly help relieve the stress of medical costs, as well as travel and daily living expenses, so that they can focus on rest and recovery.
After her treatments and surgeries are over and she is back to her bubbly self again any monies that might be remaining will be kindly donated to a Breast Cancer charity of her choice. Raising awareness is the most important issue if you ask Charmaine and hearing many women who have now been checked because of her story means the absolute most to her.
On behalf of her family and friends, it is with a humble heart that we thank you for all your help, supporting Charmaine with her battle at this scary time.
Please share this campaign on your facebook pages to help us get as much exposure as possible.
Cheers everyone
Charmaine has shown such strength and bravery from the moment she was diagnosed. She has faced every challenge with incredible positivity & determination, whilst keeping her sense of humour and inspiring others around her.
Courageously she has already undergone a bilateral mastectomy and latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction in a huge 8-hour surgery, where they also did an axillary clearance (lymph node removal) under her right arm. It was a massive procedure and so far her recovery through this part has been remarkable, she has even been working a few hours each week to keep a bit of normality and her mind occupied but unfortunately she is not out of the woods yet.
A snapshot of what her next 8 months+ will look like... consisting of travelling to and from the city for 2 types chemotherapy, AC, every 3 weeks for 12 weeks, then Paclitaxel, which is administered every week for a further 12 weeks. This will be followed by 5 weeks, Monday to Friday, of radiation therapy. All the while having Physiotherapy and Surgeon appointments to inflate her tissue expanders in between. Once given the all clear there will then be a further surgery to complete her breast reconstruction. She will then be required to take estrogen blockers for 10 years.
Being as resilient as she is and still not letting all of this break her spirit she is taking what little control she has right now and has decided to shave her long, luscious curls before the chemo takes them away. Her husband, Dean, and I will be joining her in this giant step, showing her that we are with her 100% and she is not alone in this.
Living regionally has its difficulties, at the best of times, but is increased even moreso when someone is ill and needs treatments and specialist appointments in the city, 3 hours away. In addition, Charmaine and Dean, both missing work since her diagnosis, financial stresses have, and will continue to be, an incredible burden.
People have asked what they can do to help and now is your chance, if you are able, to get onboard and give what you can. Anything you can give to help Charmaine and Dean will be humbly appreciated. Any amount, no matter how small, will significantly help relieve the stress of medical costs, as well as travel and daily living expenses, so that they can focus on rest and recovery.
After her treatments and surgeries are over and she is back to her bubbly self again any monies that might be remaining will be kindly donated to a Breast Cancer charity of her choice. Raising awareness is the most important issue if you ask Charmaine and hearing many women who have now been checked because of her story means the absolute most to her.
On behalf of her family and friends, it is with a humble heart that we thank you for all your help, supporting Charmaine with her battle at this scary time.
Please share this campaign on your facebook pages to help us get as much exposure as possible.
Cheers everyone
Organizer and beneficiary
Alexander Brown
Organizer
Quindalup, WA
Charmaine Robins
Beneficiary