Cheryl - Stronger than Cancer, we stand together
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Cheryl, we stand with you.
Cheryl is many things to many people. She is a wonderful single mom to 4 year-old Ameliya. She is a caring and supportive daughter, sister, cousin and friend. Most unfairly, at 36 years of age, she has another title added to her list: Cancer Warrior. Cheryl has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Gastric (Stomach) Cancer. This aggressive form and stage has no known cure. Over the last year, Cheryl has been though more than most of us can imagine. Her sweet nature goes against asking others for help, goes against worrying or troubling people in any way. For that reason, we must do this for her. She needs to know how much we care, how much we love her, and how hard we will fight with her. We are stronger together, and Cheryl, we stand with you.
Dear Family and Friends,
This fundraiser is for our beloved Cheryl McLeod - an amazingly sweet 36 year-old single mother to 4 year-old Ameliya. On the outside - she continues to look her usual self - greeting her friends and family with a big smile and that infectious laugh.
But on the inside - things are a much different story. As many of you know, Cheryl has been privately dealing with serious medical issues. Over a year ago, ultrasound and CT scans showed masses in her pelvis. Cheryl diligently sought the advice of her family doctor and several gynaecologists. She put her trust in the hands of these medical professionals, and it was decided that the doctor would monitor these masses rather than do surgery.
Several months later, a repeat ultrasound revealed alarming news - the two masses were roughly the size of a tennis ball and a small football - and the doctors were not sure where they were originating from. She was immediately referred to Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute to meet with an oncologist.
On March 13th, Cheryl had surgery in Edmonton to determine the source of the pelvic masses. As Cheryl was hoping to have more children one day, her gynaecologist was trying to spare her ovaries in the surgery. Mid-way through the operation, a sample of the masses were taken to the pathology lab and examined. Heartbreakingly - it was then discovered that the masses had cells from another part of the body. This means that these were not simply benign ovarian tumours, and that these tumours were metastatic. Cheryl’s gynaecologist was forced to remove her ovaries and uterus, and sent these to a special lab that could definitively tell us where the primary source of cancer was coming from. In the meantime, Cheryl had a mammogram and upper GI scope to look into her stomach - in search of finding the primary source of the cancer.
After her surgery, her Edmonton gynecologist very gently told Cheryl that she believed the tumours removed were Krukenburg tumours. Several weeks later, the final pathology report confirmed this diagnosis.
Krukenburg tumours
- very rare metastatic tumours of the ovaries - account for 1-2 % of all ovarian tumours
- the most common sources of the primary site are the stomach, colon, appendix and breast
- more common in pre-menopausal women
- the prognosis is poor - these tumours by definition mean that the primary source of cancer has metastasized
The news of Cheryl’s tumours being metastatic was a horrible surprise to everyone, including her Edmonton gynecologist. Pathology reports from her upper GI scope showed a lesion in her stomach, that was subsequently shown to be cancer. The primary source of Cheryl’s cancer was found. This was another devastating blow. Once Gastric (Stomach) Cancer has spread, it is an aggressive and often fatal form of cancer. Most appropriately, Cheryl’s gynecologist referred her to Edmonton’s gastric oncology team, however they did not accept the referral as she is a BC resident. They said she would need to be referred to Vancouver. This was not acceptable, as Cheryl has limited supports in that city. Fortunately, Cheryl’s family advocated for her and the referral was accepted in Calgary - where she has family support.
Cheryl had her first appointment with the Gastroenterology Oncology team in Calgary on April 30th. This visit confirmed that Cheryl has Stage 4 Gastric Cancer - the most advanced and aggressive stage possible. Her oncologist made it clear that they do not have a cure for stage 4 cancer, and that surgery and radiation would be of no benefit. Her oncologist did say that chemotherapy would likely give Cheryl more time.
The plan is for Cheryl and her sister Karen to go to Mexico and receive special treatments to help ready her body for future cancer treatments. Starting in early June, Cheryl will return to Calgary for chemotherapy.
So where do we go from here? Stage 4 Gastric Cancer has a 5 year survival rate of 4%. Cheryl’s oncologist said that she likely will have 1-2 years, depending on her response to chemotherapy. Although these are just numbers - and miracles can happen - it must be clearly stated that Cheryl is in the fight of her life. We need to stand with her.
- Continue to pray and keep Cheryl and Ameliya in your thoughts
We are with you, Cheryl, you are not alone. Let us surround Cheryl with unwavering support and love, to enable her to continue this fight.
STRONGER THAN CANCER, We Stand Together.
Respectfully,
~ Cheryl’s Family
Cheryl is many things to many people. She is a wonderful single mom to 4 year-old Ameliya. She is a caring and supportive daughter, sister, cousin and friend. Most unfairly, at 36 years of age, she has another title added to her list: Cancer Warrior. Cheryl has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Gastric (Stomach) Cancer. This aggressive form and stage has no known cure. Over the last year, Cheryl has been though more than most of us can imagine. Her sweet nature goes against asking others for help, goes against worrying or troubling people in any way. For that reason, we must do this for her. She needs to know how much we care, how much we love her, and how hard we will fight with her. We are stronger together, and Cheryl, we stand with you.
Dear Family and Friends,
This fundraiser is for our beloved Cheryl McLeod - an amazingly sweet 36 year-old single mother to 4 year-old Ameliya. On the outside - she continues to look her usual self - greeting her friends and family with a big smile and that infectious laugh.
But on the inside - things are a much different story. As many of you know, Cheryl has been privately dealing with serious medical issues. Over a year ago, ultrasound and CT scans showed masses in her pelvis. Cheryl diligently sought the advice of her family doctor and several gynaecologists. She put her trust in the hands of these medical professionals, and it was decided that the doctor would monitor these masses rather than do surgery.
Several months later, a repeat ultrasound revealed alarming news - the two masses were roughly the size of a tennis ball and a small football - and the doctors were not sure where they were originating from. She was immediately referred to Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute to meet with an oncologist.
On March 13th, Cheryl had surgery in Edmonton to determine the source of the pelvic masses. As Cheryl was hoping to have more children one day, her gynaecologist was trying to spare her ovaries in the surgery. Mid-way through the operation, a sample of the masses were taken to the pathology lab and examined. Heartbreakingly - it was then discovered that the masses had cells from another part of the body. This means that these were not simply benign ovarian tumours, and that these tumours were metastatic. Cheryl’s gynaecologist was forced to remove her ovaries and uterus, and sent these to a special lab that could definitively tell us where the primary source of cancer was coming from. In the meantime, Cheryl had a mammogram and upper GI scope to look into her stomach - in search of finding the primary source of the cancer.
After her surgery, her Edmonton gynecologist very gently told Cheryl that she believed the tumours removed were Krukenburg tumours. Several weeks later, the final pathology report confirmed this diagnosis.
Krukenburg tumours
- very rare metastatic tumours of the ovaries - account for 1-2 % of all ovarian tumours
- the most common sources of the primary site are the stomach, colon, appendix and breast
- more common in pre-menopausal women
- the prognosis is poor - these tumours by definition mean that the primary source of cancer has metastasized
The news of Cheryl’s tumours being metastatic was a horrible surprise to everyone, including her Edmonton gynecologist. Pathology reports from her upper GI scope showed a lesion in her stomach, that was subsequently shown to be cancer. The primary source of Cheryl’s cancer was found. This was another devastating blow. Once Gastric (Stomach) Cancer has spread, it is an aggressive and often fatal form of cancer. Most appropriately, Cheryl’s gynecologist referred her to Edmonton’s gastric oncology team, however they did not accept the referral as she is a BC resident. They said she would need to be referred to Vancouver. This was not acceptable, as Cheryl has limited supports in that city. Fortunately, Cheryl’s family advocated for her and the referral was accepted in Calgary - where she has family support.
Cheryl had her first appointment with the Gastroenterology Oncology team in Calgary on April 30th. This visit confirmed that Cheryl has Stage 4 Gastric Cancer - the most advanced and aggressive stage possible. Her oncologist made it clear that they do not have a cure for stage 4 cancer, and that surgery and radiation would be of no benefit. Her oncologist did say that chemotherapy would likely give Cheryl more time.
The plan is for Cheryl and her sister Karen to go to Mexico and receive special treatments to help ready her body for future cancer treatments. Starting in early June, Cheryl will return to Calgary for chemotherapy.
So where do we go from here? Stage 4 Gastric Cancer has a 5 year survival rate of 4%. Cheryl’s oncologist said that she likely will have 1-2 years, depending on her response to chemotherapy. Although these are just numbers - and miracles can happen - it must be clearly stated that Cheryl is in the fight of her life. We need to stand with her.
- Continue to pray and keep Cheryl and Ameliya in your thoughts
We are with you, Cheryl, you are not alone. Let us surround Cheryl with unwavering support and love, to enable her to continue this fight.
STRONGER THAN CANCER, We Stand Together.
Respectfully,
~ Cheryl’s Family
Organizer
Karen Tom
Organizer
Dawson Creek, BC
