Maggie's fight
Donation protected
As many of you know, my mom Maggie Morand has been fighting Cancer. For those of you that don't know, mom went in for a routine F.E.S.S. (functional endoscopic sinus) procedure to address what was at first, thought to be a persistent chronic sinus infection, within a couple of weeks the small piece of tissue that was sent away for biopsy came back positive for cancer cells. MRI's, CATSCAN's and specialist appointments were ordered, mom was pushed to the front of the line. Within six weeks of the biopsy results Mom and Dad were in Halifax to see the top Oncology Surgeon in Nova Scotia and his team (Dr. of Internal Medicine, a radiation specialist and cancer care navigator) to discuss her diagnosis and options.
Diagnosis: Stage 4 Squamous Cell Carcinoma behind both eyes, eye socket and wrapping around the right nasal cavity, with metastasis in the Liver.
The incredible thing about this is that even in the face of what seemed like insurmountable odds the doctor's believed fighting was and is the best option as the Doctors put it "This is an aggressive cancer, so, we will fight it aggressively!" and with that we fight..
Three months of strong doses of chemotherapy here in Yarmouth along with a veritable cornucopia of drugs and doctors appointments to keep sugars down, platelets up, stomach calm and respiratory system functioning, as well as wigs and scarves and comfy sheets and clothes, we made it to the final check up. The MRI and x-rays would tell the tale.
The oncologist came down from Halifax to give mom the news, the reduction of the tumours on the Liver is remarkable, because the cancer and mom have responded so well to the chemo the doctors feel very optimistic that following up with intensive Radiation therapy will be very effective in kicking this monster's butt!
Through the months of this fight mom and dad have been so blessed by the support of friends & family.
Now mom will need to go to Halifax for 6 weeks to have Radiation 5 days a week, this means that she will need to stay in Halifax for the duration of the treatments. She will need to come home on weekends as the cancer centre will only supply a room during treatment days. She will be away from her entire support system. Most importantly her best friend and husband, my dad.
With the type of cancer she has, some cognitive function as well as reflexes, balance and vision have been affected. This means that she needs help with a lot of the activities of daily living. . Unfortunately the cancer centre living quarters are only free to the patient receiving treatment. As you all know my dad has been my mom's rock through all of this, from cooking, cleaning and taking her for drives to helping track and administer pills or just being a loving ear and voice of reason, Dad has been there for mom. because of the duration of the stay we are hoping to raise enough funds that dad will be able to travel up to Halifax and stay at the cancer care centre with mom. The hope is to also help mom and dad with incidentals as as travel back and forth ( a three hour shuttle ride) Mom and dad have managed with the help of friends and family to keep on top of the usual cost of living, even with mom having to be off work and Dad being retired, however the little reserves they did have are now dwindled due to their car needing brakes.
These two are a amazing support for one another and right now they are up against it. Please, if you can help to keep them together so they can fight this monster of a disease, please give generously.
Thank you
Megan :-)
Diagnosis: Stage 4 Squamous Cell Carcinoma behind both eyes, eye socket and wrapping around the right nasal cavity, with metastasis in the Liver.
The incredible thing about this is that even in the face of what seemed like insurmountable odds the doctor's believed fighting was and is the best option as the Doctors put it "This is an aggressive cancer, so, we will fight it aggressively!" and with that we fight..
Three months of strong doses of chemotherapy here in Yarmouth along with a veritable cornucopia of drugs and doctors appointments to keep sugars down, platelets up, stomach calm and respiratory system functioning, as well as wigs and scarves and comfy sheets and clothes, we made it to the final check up. The MRI and x-rays would tell the tale.
The oncologist came down from Halifax to give mom the news, the reduction of the tumours on the Liver is remarkable, because the cancer and mom have responded so well to the chemo the doctors feel very optimistic that following up with intensive Radiation therapy will be very effective in kicking this monster's butt!
Through the months of this fight mom and dad have been so blessed by the support of friends & family.
Now mom will need to go to Halifax for 6 weeks to have Radiation 5 days a week, this means that she will need to stay in Halifax for the duration of the treatments. She will need to come home on weekends as the cancer centre will only supply a room during treatment days. She will be away from her entire support system. Most importantly her best friend and husband, my dad.
With the type of cancer she has, some cognitive function as well as reflexes, balance and vision have been affected. This means that she needs help with a lot of the activities of daily living. . Unfortunately the cancer centre living quarters are only free to the patient receiving treatment. As you all know my dad has been my mom's rock through all of this, from cooking, cleaning and taking her for drives to helping track and administer pills or just being a loving ear and voice of reason, Dad has been there for mom. because of the duration of the stay we are hoping to raise enough funds that dad will be able to travel up to Halifax and stay at the cancer care centre with mom. The hope is to also help mom and dad with incidentals as as travel back and forth ( a three hour shuttle ride) Mom and dad have managed with the help of friends and family to keep on top of the usual cost of living, even with mom having to be off work and Dad being retired, however the little reserves they did have are now dwindled due to their car needing brakes.
These two are a amazing support for one another and right now they are up against it. Please, if you can help to keep them together so they can fight this monster of a disease, please give generously.
Thank you
Megan :-)
Organizer and beneficiary
Megan Brobbin
Organizer
Barrington, NS
Maggie Morand
Beneficiary