TERRIFYING TO ME!!!

"Sometimes asking for help is the bravest thing we can do. "

Today, I’m asking— for myself, and my son, for the chance to climb out of the financial crisis, to again be more present, less distracted by the overwhelm of survival mode, both physically living with Cancer and now aslo the stressors of the financial hardship that ultimately unfolded.

The initial curveball that impacted, 12 years ago in 2014, being a younger person to be diagnosed with breast cancer, my son was just turning 2, I was not prepared for such travesties, no life insurance. No forewarning as there is no family history. During this period when I went through the gruelling process of trying to eradicate the cancer, my marriage that had signs of fractures, eventuated in difficulty and shortly after that year came to an End.

As a single Mum, living so many miles away from all my loving family (who reside in the UK), it became progressively harder trying to navigate through a turbulent divorce and then re-establish my business all on my own. I did however managed to get back on my feet.

Then the wheels fell off!!

7 years ago, on my birthday, it was confirmed that my breast cancer had grown, and had spread, now in my bones and the pleura of my lungs, and the most confronting and what I mostly heard was "it cannot be cured”!

So, the big question of course, what does this mean for my future life prognosis??

Well firstly I have to live on cancer treatment for the rest of my life, which I can only say does not make you feel better, in fact It rapidly effects my bones, immune health, energy, brain function and so much more.

The Oncologists do not specify a timeframe of life expectancy, to many moving variables, I got informed, maybe 2 years or more was the gauge.

A dear trusted friend assisted me draft a 5-year financial forecast, to help me navigate, which I have seen to and followed, however for the past few years as time ticked passed, saw me slowly build in stress as I searched for strategies to cope financially. With years of harsh treatment my body is so fragile, bones are shocking I have broken them every year for the past 4 years in a row. Not to mention all the hospital appointments and medical mess ups. The story could seriously go on but I’m even tired of hearing about them all and my back is killing me right now. I did try different types of jobs and even retraining, trying to work again, but my body could not cope for long and is now unreliable.

It will be 7 years in June! Yes, so grateful,

I want to be celebrating life and that I’m still here for my son, but the financial worry has clouded this for the past couple of years. I have found myself withdrawn, overwhelmed and exhausted.

All my superannuation and avenues that supported making ends meet have now depleted. I became increasingly more overwhelmed and at a loss.

I remain here in Australia, so my son may stay connected to his father and have stability. This financial pressure has often carried emotional weight too sadly and inevitably also impacting my beautiful boy. I would love this to be a non-issue.

I have had to really reflect and work on myself to find the strength to write this, with some insight I realised one of my strong values, was blocking me from finding the path out, "independence, capable of doing it myself", this once helped me, in the past, but now holding me stuck, in fact it kept me getting deeper and deeper into freeze mode. I realised what real self-compassion is, and in fact the main aspect of survival is connection. It has been my friends and family to date that continued to be there for me, even when I had no energy. It really does go a long way; ever little kindness would bring hope.

I want to be ok with asking for help, not ashamed.

It is now actually why I have chosen to write my own request for help, as friends so bravely kept telling me it is what I need.

Cancer effect so many today and becoming far to common, so I personally want to Thank you if you stop and take time out to read, even part of this.

I also want to acknowledge the close friends who have quietly supported me over the years with kindness, compassion, generosity and patience.

So, getting to the point.... I take this step and ask for help of any financial assistance you may afford.

I want you to know that I will honour every gift, big or small or even if your unable to gift a small amount, I would really appreciate it if you could please share.

I hope to raise enough to -

• Lighten the load from the overwhelming stress,

• To be present and joyful again for my son.

• Pay the large mounting overdue bills (in the thousands).

• Be able to pay my monthly rent, living in the current 2-bedroom unit we so dearly and fortunately call home, so my son may attend his school with his friends.

• and if possible- I’d like to afford decent dental treatment for my son and I.

Please know, I am deeply committed to paying this forward in any way I can—firstly getting my mojo back, sharing hope, offering support, creating connection, and helping others navigate challenges where I can.

As part of this fundraiser, I'm creating an event -

"Bearing All"- A Topless, Cold water, Winter Plunge!

Which I will be doing in honour and representation;

If your interested in attending or to do for sponsor donaitions to help fundraise, please message with the word interested and details will follow.

I believe that each act of kindness creates a ripple effect. Every gesture of support carries something meaningful, and I want to honour that by passing it on—spreading love, understanding, and moments of joy wherever possible.

I have written this myself no AI, with dyslexia and ADHD it’s been a task. If you made it this far I believe you must be a goodin, and let the writing fax pas just be the imperfect mess it is.

In love and kindness

Thank you