Angel Fights Pancreatic Cancer
Donation protected
This Go Fund Me page has been put together through the friends and family of Angel (Smith) Oshust.
In July, Angel's cancer diagnosis changed from Stage II or III to Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer.
For those of you who don’t know the story, it all started in October 2017. Angel was feeling discomfort and pain in her back that would not subside. This is very unusual for the young mother of two teenagers who was always energetic and first to jump in any chance for fun. It came to a head when she was at her son’s hockey game and couldn’t sit comfortably through the game. That night they ended up going to the emergency for the pain.
Prior to going to the hospital we were all convinced that it was a kidney stone; however, after further investigation they found two tumours on her pancreas. Though this would be worrisome, the doctors were very reassuring that because of her young age and her healthy lifestyle, cancer would be very unlikely.
In December 2017, we were told the news we could not have prepared for, that the tumours were indeed cancer…. 46, young family, healthy and fit by all accounts….how could this happen?
The oncology team was very positive and put a plan together that, with treatment, the likelyhood of shrinking the tumours and removing them was possible. Angel went through 7 months of chemotherapy, three weeks on and one week off. Seven long gruelling months of visiting the hospital, having IV put in for hours in her veins.
Last month, her latest CT scan and biopsy found that a lump in her neck was all cancerous meaning the treatment had to change. With confirmed Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer, surgery is no longer an option. The only treatment offered is continued chemotherapy and it would be highly unlikely that the cancer would go into remission. As you can imagine, this is not acceptable to a young, vibrant mother of two very active children.
At this time, Canada does not have the ability to continue to treat Angel other than offering more rounds of chemotherapy with hopes that the cancer will go into remission. After doing some extensive research and through various medical professionals and friends, Angel and Jeff found the Dr. Kleef's Clinic in Vienna, Austria that has had proven success in treating Angel's type of cancer using Immunotherapy when conventional methods (chemotherapy and surgery) are no longer options. As you can imagine, Angel and Jeff were thrilled to find out she qualifies for the treatment plan through Dr. Kleef and will be leaving on August 25 to start treatment on August 28th.
The Immunotherapy treatments have been available in Europe for some time and have not yet made it here to Canada. These treatments are quite costly and will require travel and an extensive stay in Vienna of between 5-6 weeks. Accommodations are also not provided by the treatment centre; therefore an apartment has been rented near the clinic as treatments are performed on a daily outpatient basis. Though this is a tremendous opportunity to treat Angel, there will be further treatment requirements once Angel returns home that will not be covered by Alberta Health Care. Cancer touches so many of our lives. Angel and Jeff would greatly appreciate any type of support or donation you can give.
*GoFundMe accepts donations in any and all currancies.
In July, Angel's cancer diagnosis changed from Stage II or III to Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer.
For those of you who don’t know the story, it all started in October 2017. Angel was feeling discomfort and pain in her back that would not subside. This is very unusual for the young mother of two teenagers who was always energetic and first to jump in any chance for fun. It came to a head when she was at her son’s hockey game and couldn’t sit comfortably through the game. That night they ended up going to the emergency for the pain.
Prior to going to the hospital we were all convinced that it was a kidney stone; however, after further investigation they found two tumours on her pancreas. Though this would be worrisome, the doctors were very reassuring that because of her young age and her healthy lifestyle, cancer would be very unlikely.
In December 2017, we were told the news we could not have prepared for, that the tumours were indeed cancer…. 46, young family, healthy and fit by all accounts….how could this happen?
The oncology team was very positive and put a plan together that, with treatment, the likelyhood of shrinking the tumours and removing them was possible. Angel went through 7 months of chemotherapy, three weeks on and one week off. Seven long gruelling months of visiting the hospital, having IV put in for hours in her veins.
Last month, her latest CT scan and biopsy found that a lump in her neck was all cancerous meaning the treatment had to change. With confirmed Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer, surgery is no longer an option. The only treatment offered is continued chemotherapy and it would be highly unlikely that the cancer would go into remission. As you can imagine, this is not acceptable to a young, vibrant mother of two very active children.
At this time, Canada does not have the ability to continue to treat Angel other than offering more rounds of chemotherapy with hopes that the cancer will go into remission. After doing some extensive research and through various medical professionals and friends, Angel and Jeff found the Dr. Kleef's Clinic in Vienna, Austria that has had proven success in treating Angel's type of cancer using Immunotherapy when conventional methods (chemotherapy and surgery) are no longer options. As you can imagine, Angel and Jeff were thrilled to find out she qualifies for the treatment plan through Dr. Kleef and will be leaving on August 25 to start treatment on August 28th.
The Immunotherapy treatments have been available in Europe for some time and have not yet made it here to Canada. These treatments are quite costly and will require travel and an extensive stay in Vienna of between 5-6 weeks. Accommodations are also not provided by the treatment centre; therefore an apartment has been rented near the clinic as treatments are performed on a daily outpatient basis. Though this is a tremendous opportunity to treat Angel, there will be further treatment requirements once Angel returns home that will not be covered by Alberta Health Care. Cancer touches so many of our lives. Angel and Jeff would greatly appreciate any type of support or donation you can give.
*GoFundMe accepts donations in any and all currancies.
Organizer and beneficiary
Madeline McCarthy
Organizer
Calgary, AB
Jeff Oshust
Beneficiary
