Breast Cancer Battle

Dear Friends,

My name is Meg Pokrass, colleague and friend of Lorette Luzajic, Founding Editor of the beloved Ekphrastic Review. This Go Fund Me Page has been set up by Caroline Bacher, also a dear friend of Lorette.

We have created this page to help Lorette during a nightmarish medical crisis, unthinkable to many of us. Lorette was already struggling quietly with difficult health issues impacting her mobility the last few years. (She describes each of them below.) Recently, a suspicious lump became official- Lorette became one of the one in eight women who have breast cancer. This kind of breast cancer is unfortunately aggressive, caught after it had already been growing for a year.

Lorette is in the battle of her life. Those of you who know Lorette or have worked with her will not be surprised to learn that she is strong and positive. Working on her teaching, writing, and art, which come as wonderful distractions to the terror she is facing. She has already begun treatment.

I have known Lorette for many years. She is a co-teacher and esteemed colleague, a continual source of inspiration for myself and for other writers and art lovers. Over the years, she has become a very dear friend. She is an invaluable member of our creative community, and offers us something that no other teacher/writer/editor has done in the 14 years I’ve been part of the community myself. Those of you who have experienced working with her will know exactly what I mean.

I have asked Lorette for a detailed description of her medical condition. This is described below. I hope you will consider donating funds to help keep Lorette during this unthinkable time.

With appreciation,

Meg Pokrass

A few short weeks ago, the life of Toronto-based author and artist Lorette Luzajic was forever altered by the diagnosis of HER2 Breast Cancer.

Lorette has already started a year or more long cancer treatment plan beginning with chemo, and with surgery and radiation to follow.

Lorette is committed to her health and recovery, and she is responding well to treatment. But she is finding the physical, emotional and financial tolls of countless medical appointments, pain and nausea from treatment, and chronic pain from her other health issues, quite difficult.

Whether thru her vibrant art and writing, her creative, analytical and academic insights, or her unparalleled heart, Lorette has given so much to her friends, collaborators, community, cats, and so many others as a culture-maker, workshop facilitator, volunteer, and advocate for mental health.

We are hoping to assist Lorette in her recovery with some medical expenses.

Any assistance towards the comfort and recovery of our dear friend is greatly appreciated.

Caroline

From Lorette

Dear Friends,

I have worked through several years of difficult pain and mobility challenges and am fortunate to have editing, writing, teaching, and ekphrastic workshops that I can do flexibly, along with making and selling art from my home studio. With more bad news in November that I have breast cancer, and a whirlwind of sudden medical appointments and accelerated treatment that has already started, my life has turned upside down.

It was also confirmed that last year’s knee replacement has never healed. They cannot pursue further surgical treatment on the leg during cancer treatment, leaving me in an ugly limbo. I need to and want to continue my work at the journal, creative and commercial writing, editing, teaching, workshops, and art making, but I am going at a fraction of my force.

With many added expenses that are necessary for survival and healing, I am grateful to everyone who feels moved to help. It is truly humbling to be ill, as a very independent person. I am grateful already to generous loved ones for rides, homemade foods, love, visits, check ins, other support, and flowers, but operating at less than half-mast is stressful, and with many extra expenses, I am thankful for my friends who convinced me to accept this support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Love, Lorette

What’s wrong with me?

-Metastatic Her2 Positive breast cancer, with a year-plus long aggressive treatment plan including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, including at least a year of drug infusions

-osteoarthritis, knee replacement in 2021 that has not healed

-unknown severe chronic pain condition in both ankles that has been diagnosed “uncertainly” as the rare Palindrome Rheumatoid Arthritis; other possibilities are sinus tarsi syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, septic arthritis, or spinal or autonomic nerve damage. No one knows.

Special medical and related needs:

-prescription drugs and other drugs, we have good coverage but are still paying out of pocket for uncovered portions, uncovered drugs, hefty deductibles, OTC etc. (2000 estimate)

-custom orthotics and approved shoes for chronic pain and improved mobility (1200 estimate)

-taxis (I use public transit when it isn’t crowded and I’m mobile enough. I also have some friends or supporters who have generously shared rides, and a wonderful wheels charity. When these cannot be booked, a taxi from the hospital to my suburb is about 70$ one way. I will have a full year of treatments weekly or even daily at several hospitals downtown and will sometimes need to use a taxi. (1000$ estimate)

-massage therapy has been recommended for pain control and lymph motion, for all three of my conditions, this treatment is out of pocket. ($2000 estimate)

Miscellany: I have chemo hats, creams, vitamins, canes, walkers, crutches, balance rails in bathroom, etc. These are already done but there are always unexpected medical necessities. (500?)

Goal $6700