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Rally for Angela

"You never know how strong you really are, until being strong is your only choice." -Bob Marley

This is the reality my sister Angela is currently facing. On April 20, 2017, she was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ).  This is the beginning stages of breast cancer, and is highly treatable, but can very well spread if left untreated.
To be told that you have cancer is one of the most gut wrenching, devasting things someone could ever hear. No one ever expects to get that diagnosis. I think we are all witness to the devastation it can cause, but let me share with you what else I've seen cancer do.

I've seen cancer bring out the fight in someone who never thought they had it in them.
I've seen cancer bring beautiful friendships together. I've seen it cause a complete stranger to reach out to someone with love and compassion in hopes of being a light to the one suffering from it. It has given people a deep appreciation for life and for those in it, which causes them to live passionately and with a cause. I've seen cancer cause strangers to give of their own time and money. Cancer has brought out the hero in people so that they become a hope to so many others. I've seen it give people their purpose in life. I've seen it bring families together, and I've seen cancer inspire people to join the army in the fight against it. These are the things we want to happen in her story!

I think we'd all agree that we'd much rather the above happen without the devastation of such diagnosis, but we were never promised a life without troubles. In fact, Jesus tells us that we WILL have tribulation.  With God always on our side, Angela is going to make mountains move. She is one strong woman, but she needs you to join her in this fight, because even the strongest need angels on their side.

This gofundme has been started to help Angela get to a world-renowned team in Texas for the treatment she has spent hours researching, and sees as the best option so that she can continue on with her quality of life.  If you feel the tug to give, please listen.  It doesn't matter how small, because every penny counts.  If you are unable to donate money, we ask that you share her story, and keep Angela and her family in your prayers.

In advance, we thank you for your generosity, love, support, and prayers.   May you be abundantly blessed because you chose to bless her!

Please read her statement below.

I am normally a very private person so this is very difficult for me to do. I was told by a person that has been a voice of reason for me lately that people will want to help, the people that love and care about you will need a way to help you so I am taking a leap of faith and sharing my story. At my routine mammogram this spring after having my images taken I was in the room waiting for them to send me on my way and the Dr. comes back and says there is a suspicious area showing some calcifications so we are going to send you back for more images and an ultrasound. I told myself surely it can’t be anything major thinking I had this done a couple years earlier and it was found to be a cyst. I didn’t realize at the time that this was something different they were seeing. After consulting with an Oncologist It was determined that I needed to have a biopsy to rule out cancer. This was the first time that word started to consume my thoughts playing all the scenarios good and bad over and over. The two weeks of waiting on results were filled with sleepless nights and trying to keep my mind from gravitating toward the worst case scenarios.
On April 20th I received my results confirming that I had the beginning stages of breast cancer. I was in complete shock as I listened to the doctor say we talked about this possibility but we caught it very early and you’re going to be fine. I’m going to be fine? I never in a million years thought I would be faced with something like this. The two months since my diagnosis have felt like an eternity filled with appointments, labs, MRI’s , second opinions and an additional biopsy on the opposite breast. It’s amazing how fast I have gone through all the different stages of emotions from denial, fear, sadness, and acceptance. I am now in my take action phase. After numerous consultations, much research and prayer I have decided the best course of action for myself and my family is to proceed with a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. I have chosen the most aggressive treatment because I want to put this behind me and get on with life. I don’t want to spend my days and energy worrying if it will come back when I have more worthy things to dedicate my time to like my children and husband. I don’t have time for cancer.
After talking with the two top hospitals in Kansas City they could not offer me immediate reconstruction at time of mastectomy and wanted me to go through two separate major surgeries. I felt very defeated because I thought I should have the power to decide and not have it dictated to me. I want to get it all done so I can start the process of healing physically and emotionally and move forward. Cancer doesn’t care that I have things to do as a Wife, Mother or Employee but I am telling cancer that I am in control of how this is going to be done. I decide. I am asking for help from my family and friends and strangers if it compels you to do so. I have found a center in San Antonio who has one of the leading breast reconstruction practices in the world and partners with breast surgeons specializing in breast cancer and can offer me the option to have just one surgery. While my medical bills are starting to roll in for everything I have had done up to this point my family is also trying to come up with the money for me to travel to San Antonio and cover the cost of surgery that insurance does not.
Even though I couldn’t see it in the beginning I am going to be fine. I will get through this with the love and support of my family and friends. Any support to help me reach my financial goal is greatly appreciated. You can also support me by praying for a flawless and uneventful surgery, a fast and complete recovery and that all cancer is removed. For whatever reason God has chosen me to endure this I have faith that it is for a reason I do not know yet but will become apparent at some point in my life and that this experience is for a greater good that is bigger than me.
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Organizer and beneficiary

Rose Garcia-Hockett
Organizer
Kansas City, MO
Angela Arzola
Beneficiary

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