Gail's Medical Fund
Donation protected
Gail, my best friend since the age of 5. She has always been the athletic, quiet, yet confident type. Beautiful inside and out. 52 years young and the mother of 5, she has been the queen of her household, caring for her family both young and old. Welcoming all visitors passing through her home. Her life changed in 2015. This is her story:
In March of 2015 she first noticed signs that something wasn’t right but ignored them. She was needed in Hawaii to care for her elderly parents. Over the next 8-9 months of caring for them, she was successful in getting them both healthy and was now faced with her own reality. Gail was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in December of 2015.
Gail fought the cancer and completed 6 rounds of chemotherapy and 7-1/2 weeks of radiation. I needed to see my lifelong friend so jumped on a plane in April 2016 just after her 51st birthday. As soon as I arrived she and her husband picked me up and quickly loaded me into their car and drove to an appointment with her oncologist. I’ll remember that day forever, the doctor announced that Gail was Cancer Free! Her doctor had never seen anything like it and declared that it was a miracle!
A single mastectomy followed in June 2016, to hopefully, remove any chance of the cancer returning.
But the side effects of the chemo left Gail with neuropathy, numbness of her hands and feet. They were so numb that walking was a challenge - she was unable to drive, unable to feel if she stepped on something sharp. Her hands were weak – but she found the strength to do what she loved – cook "ono" (hawaiian word for delicious =) ) meals and care for her family and friends who visited.
Gail lived a wonderful, loved filled life. Then April 2017. The cancer returned. It had metastasized to her cervix and bones. She endured 5 weeks of radiation. But Gail’s body, broken from previous treatments, chose not to go through traditional chemo again. Without chemo, the doctor gave her 6 months. Gail determined to fight! She changed her diet, prayed and surrounded herself with love & positive energy.
Her son was not ready to let mom go. He researched and found an alternative treatment center in Mexico. A painful plane ride but she arrived in Tijuana, Mexico on September 11, 2017. With God’s grace, she arrived just in time. 2 days after arrival Gail lost feeling in her left leg, then her right. She began to slump in her chair. MRI’s were ordered, specialists brought in. Cancer appeared in her spine. She completed radiation and started low doses of chemo (5-10% of the traditional, full blown chemo). A DSMO drip is used - the DSMO drives the chemo directly to cancer cells to begin killing them. Through all the treatments, radiation, PT, etc. Gail is finally regaining sensations in her legs. Her toes are reacting to pokes. The excruciating pain she had experienced over the last 3 months was finally easing. She began to look herself again.
But it’s not over yet. Gail has encountered another road block. After 6 weeks of positive outcomes an artery feeding the lesion in her cervix – she was bleeding. Specialists have come up with a couple of plans and Gail has decided to go with a less invasive surgery. It is scheduled for today.
Treatments, surgeries, MRI’s all come at a cost. Funds are running dry and I am reaching out for help for my dear friend of 40+ years.
In one of our late night talks, Gail told me “When you hear people talk about a loved one passing after Cancer they say ‘at least they are no longer in pain’”. In her next breath she sadly said “I now understand what that means.” We can only try to understand but we never will until we’re in their shoes.
Gail has been brave and wants to continue the battle of her life – for her life. We are reaching out for monetary donations to keep her in this fight. It will mean the world to me.
Aloha and thank you. We Believe in Miracles.
Please send positive thoughts and prayers for Gail’s healing. Mahalo from the bottom of our hearts.
In March of 2015 she first noticed signs that something wasn’t right but ignored them. She was needed in Hawaii to care for her elderly parents. Over the next 8-9 months of caring for them, she was successful in getting them both healthy and was now faced with her own reality. Gail was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in December of 2015.
Gail fought the cancer and completed 6 rounds of chemotherapy and 7-1/2 weeks of radiation. I needed to see my lifelong friend so jumped on a plane in April 2016 just after her 51st birthday. As soon as I arrived she and her husband picked me up and quickly loaded me into their car and drove to an appointment with her oncologist. I’ll remember that day forever, the doctor announced that Gail was Cancer Free! Her doctor had never seen anything like it and declared that it was a miracle!
A single mastectomy followed in June 2016, to hopefully, remove any chance of the cancer returning.
But the side effects of the chemo left Gail with neuropathy, numbness of her hands and feet. They were so numb that walking was a challenge - she was unable to drive, unable to feel if she stepped on something sharp. Her hands were weak – but she found the strength to do what she loved – cook "ono" (hawaiian word for delicious =) ) meals and care for her family and friends who visited.
Gail lived a wonderful, loved filled life. Then April 2017. The cancer returned. It had metastasized to her cervix and bones. She endured 5 weeks of radiation. But Gail’s body, broken from previous treatments, chose not to go through traditional chemo again. Without chemo, the doctor gave her 6 months. Gail determined to fight! She changed her diet, prayed and surrounded herself with love & positive energy.
Her son was not ready to let mom go. He researched and found an alternative treatment center in Mexico. A painful plane ride but she arrived in Tijuana, Mexico on September 11, 2017. With God’s grace, she arrived just in time. 2 days after arrival Gail lost feeling in her left leg, then her right. She began to slump in her chair. MRI’s were ordered, specialists brought in. Cancer appeared in her spine. She completed radiation and started low doses of chemo (5-10% of the traditional, full blown chemo). A DSMO drip is used - the DSMO drives the chemo directly to cancer cells to begin killing them. Through all the treatments, radiation, PT, etc. Gail is finally regaining sensations in her legs. Her toes are reacting to pokes. The excruciating pain she had experienced over the last 3 months was finally easing. She began to look herself again.
But it’s not over yet. Gail has encountered another road block. After 6 weeks of positive outcomes an artery feeding the lesion in her cervix – she was bleeding. Specialists have come up with a couple of plans and Gail has decided to go with a less invasive surgery. It is scheduled for today.
Treatments, surgeries, MRI’s all come at a cost. Funds are running dry and I am reaching out for help for my dear friend of 40+ years.
In one of our late night talks, Gail told me “When you hear people talk about a loved one passing after Cancer they say ‘at least they are no longer in pain’”. In her next breath she sadly said “I now understand what that means.” We can only try to understand but we never will until we’re in their shoes.
Gail has been brave and wants to continue the battle of her life – for her life. We are reaching out for monetary donations to keep her in this fight. It will mean the world to me.
Aloha and thank you. We Believe in Miracles.
Please send positive thoughts and prayers for Gail’s healing. Mahalo from the bottom of our hearts.
Organizer
Joyce Hosoda
Organizer
Kaneohe, HI
