Chanelle’s Breast cancer journey

Aloha mai kakou! As many of you know or have heard, our dear friend, loved one and family member Chanelle Kalama-Oliveira has been battling breast cancer since July of 2022. Her journey has been nothing less than a roller coaster as she has undergone a double mastectomy and countless rounds of chemotherapy. As months went by, things were getting better, she was feeling stronger, becoming more active and her hair was starting to grow back. Chanelle even returned to work in March for a short time. Life was looking up and our prayers were being answered.

A few weeks after her double mastectomy and an infection, a couple of spots on her skin caught the attention of her doctor. After further testing was done, Chanelle was faced with the news that her cancer had since metastasized in her skin and a deep lymph node. Surgery was back on the table. While waiting, her doctor ordered a PET scan to make sure it was only in her skin and lymph node. However results showed that it metastasized or spread to other parts of her body; specifically her bones. She is now categorized as having stage 4 mTNBC (metastasized Triple Negative Breast Cancer). This news was devastating for everyone, most of all for Chanelle as she had high hopes that she was on the road to remission and ready to take back life by the horns.

We strongly believe that everything happens for a reason and that this is merely another chapter in her astounding book we call life. After speaking to other breast cancer survivors and doing hours of research, Chanelle has been faced with some hard decisions. With being back on Chemotherapy, she is considering the option to seek further medical treatment elsewhere in the United States (Texas). Should she make this choice, she would be far from her support system which is critical to her healing.

She is unable to return to work as a Special Education Preschool Teacher which puts her at a high risk of being sick. We; her family and friends are putting together this go fund me to provide any help financially as Chanelle continues her journey one day at a time and hope that this can help ease her transition should she decide to seek treatment elsewhere as well as help with any medical costs thus far.

Chanelle is humbled and grateful for all the love and support she has received since initially being diagnosed. We continue to keep her in our prayers and continue to seek comfort in the fact that she is not alone. God works in mysterious and wonderful ways. He said; “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” - Matthew 18:20. More than anything, please continue to keep Chanelle in your prayers as often as possible. Together we can all help her overcome this disease, Her fight is our fight!

Aloha and mahalo for your time,

Friends and family of Chanelle

“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” - Jeremiah 17:14

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13