Hi, my name is Ellen. I have been on a healing journey, navigating oral cancer for the last year and a half. With this aggressive cancer, the doctors had to remove almost half of my tongue and reconstruct it with a flap from my left arm in January of this year. While currently healing from my first surgery, the doctors and I discovered that there is a recurrence involving much bigger area, and another surgery is needed. I am grateful to have the community that I do, and I am asking for support as I prepare for my upcoming October surgery, and the months of expected recovery after the operation. Your help means a lot to me, and alleviates some of my stress. As you can probably imagine, healing isn't cheap. Your support contributes to my recovery, including the oxygen supplies I will need, plus all of the other rehab therapies that are not covered by my health insurance but crucial to cope with resulting disabilities and to get me strong again. Thank you for joining me along this challenging and meaningful experience as I work through this time of illness and recovery. Love, Ellen