Support for Stella & family.

Hi, my name is Jenelle and I've started this GoFundMe for Stella Peden (Haigh), a long time resident of Terrace, BC - who is currently battling advanced Ovarian Cancer - Stage 3B. This is the latest devastating diagnosis after her breast cancer journey in 2016/2017.

The nature of Stella's cancer has meant multiple trips and stays in Vancouver, countless specialists, invasive surgeries, rehabilitation, expensive travel and other cancer related costs.

The family has done all they can to mitigate their expenses (cut back on phone bills and various extras, along with taking extra work etc.) to support Stella through her treatments and also keep some normalcy for the children - Aurora, Jasmine, Shyla and Josiah. Despite doing all this the cancer journey has depleted the savings this family had. This GoFundMe is to help them get back on their feet with the next leg of this cancer journey.

Until her cancer diagnosis slowed her down, Stella had been involved with Scouts Canada, Terrace Youth Soccer Association, she also freely volunteered her time with school activities such as; dry grad, field trips, musicals, fundraising. Stella has the kindest heart and she is always willing to lend a hand.

It's not easy to ask for help - I am hopeful our beautiful Terrace community and beyond can shower this family with the help and love our community knows how to give. Please support Stella and her family. They need us now!

If you would like toe transfer or help the family in other ways please contact them or myself directly.

Please read Stella's journey here, in her own words:

2016 - I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), cancer in my milk ducts. After many flights to specialists in Vancouver, I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction to remove it. I was diagnosed early enough that I did not need chemo or radiation but I needed a lot of rehabilitation. It was a long road, thanks to God, family and friends I recovered.

Fast forward to 2020 ......

February - I wasn't feeling well - my. abdomen was swollen and made me look like I was 7 months pregnant. I was booked for an ultrasound to see what was happening, shortly thereafter I had a MRI then a CT scan, given that I had all 3 procedures done within such a short span of time we suspected that something was wrong. I received a call from an obgyn who informed Scott and I that it was suspected that I had ovarian cancer and that I needed to go to BC Cancer in Vancouver to see specialists there. We had an appointment with BC Cancer shortly there after and were informed that I had advanced ovarian cancer and I was going to need a hysterectomy and oophorectomy (ovaries and Fallopian tubes), I would be scheduled for the first possible opening. We flew home, organized ourselves, the kids, work and waited for a call. Scott and I flew back to Vancouver for my surgery, upon waking post-op we were informed that the cancer was far more advanced than originally thought, it had "eaten" my appendix, 4 litres of ascites fluid had to be drained from my abdomen (thus why I looked pregnant). My abdomen was such a mess that they were unable to do the hysterectomy and oophorectomy, I would need 9 weeks of chemotherapy to kill as much of the cancer as possible first so I was sent back to Terrace to recover and receive chemo. While awaiting chemo, one of the wounds from the appendectomy started leaking ascites fluid, there was so much fluid I had to wear a depends pad across my belly to absorb it, eventually the wound healed but my body kept producing the fluid so my abdomen started growing again. After a few trips to the ER, where giant needles were used to drain the fluid, I had "valve" inserted into my abdomen as it would be far less painful for the fluid to be drained. I was in and out of the ER every 2 or 3 days to be drained of approximately 4 litres of fluid (a milk jug) each time, this continued until I had 3 treatments of chemo. My understanding was the ascites was due to my body trying to protect my organs from the cancer.

July- I start chemotherapy, once a week for 6 weeks. I was blessed to have no nausea but I did have a lot of fatigue, a couple of blood clots formed (needed to go on blood thinners) and I lost my hair. After 6 weeks of treatment my body was given a break to heal for surgery.

October - We flew to Vancouver for my hysterectomy/oophorectomy. Surgery went well, surgeon stated that a lot of cancer was removed and it looked like the chemo was working. I was in the hospital for 4 days, then told I had to leave- even though I wasn't ready as they needed my bed for someone else. We stayed a week in Vancouver to allow me to gain some strength , then we flew home.

November- I am strong enough to start the remaining 3 weeks of my treatment. I am at the hospital having the necessary blood work done to start my chemo, while there I had a massive hemorrhage. I was examined and rushed for emergency surgery as the bleeding would not stop. I lost 3 litres of blood in 30 minutes. This had me in the ICU for 3 days and then 2 days on the main ward.

January 2021 - Last round of chemotherapy, then a new oral chemo drug. My cancer numbers are dropping.

June 2021 - CT scan shows a mass in my pelvis.

August 2021 - Oncologist appointment. Mass found, cancer numbers are climbing, need to start a stronger chemotherapy. Starting in September, I will have 6 treatments, 3 weeks apart.

October 2021 - Hair has already fallen out. Second treatment has been delayed a week as my platelet count is too low. Tumour markers are not back yet. I am tired but moving forward.