My name is Marlene Clow. I am the owner of Doggy Six Grooming in Richmond, BC.

My dear friend Charlotte is a professional dog walker, but that title fails to really describe the exemplary service that she provides. She is a precious resource to her clients, providing their beloved dogs with not only the exercise they need, but also a combination of love, playtime, and joy that has my own dogs nearly jumping the fence to greet her when they see her arrive.

And so it greatly saddens me to tell you that she was diagnosed with lung cancer in October of this year. In her own words:

Hello everyone,

After tons of dr's visits, tests, scans, ultrasounds I finally have a diagnosis.  Not what was expected, and they have re tested and eliminated to be sure.  I have lung cancer.  Seems like it is a rare type as I have never smoked a day in my life and there is no cancer in my family either.  I don't seem to fall into a category either as I don't have the usual symptoms of weight loss, fever, sweats, pain etc.  I don't feel sick in anyway, except for my shortness of breath.  Actually I feel better than I did in the beginning of the year. 

I saw my newest dr, an oncologist, today and he recommended radiation treatments as well as chemo.  I am not sure when this will begin as he said it can take up to 3 weeks before I get in.  However, it will be an aggressive and daily treatment for up to 6 weeks depending on how I respond. 

 I have been recommended to keep living as normal as I can, and that is my plan to do so, but I will not be able to be of service to you once my treatment starts.  I'll take it day by day and understand if you need more reliable dog care.  You guys have all been so supportive during this year I can't thank you all enough.  I will keep you all informed as I go along. 

As of today I'm still planning on walking until treatment starts...

Charlotte

This campaign is to help raise money for her living expenses, until she is able to work again. As she is already undergoing treatment, time is of the essence.

At the end of October, Charlotte sent the following update:

Hi everyone,

So I've had 8 radiation treatments (of 30)  and this week's been a rollercoaster.  After last weeks fun and exciting reaction to the chemo, I had an awful last weekend.  Can't even describe the awful feelings and extreme exhaustion.  Thursday evening I started to get a burning sensation in my chest and it seems like now the effects of radiation has started.  So am now taking T3's to keep my cough at rest and to keep the pain low.  It's just a constant burning feeling  making me want to swallow all the time.  Keep telling my self 2 down, 4 weeks to go.  Day at a time.

Am so lucky to have a great support system of family and friends helping me out.  I am keeping happy spirits and have met some great people at SCA. 

Hope you are all well and I'll keep in touch soon again.

Charlotte

Later, on November 23rd, Charlotte sent out another update, as follows:

Hi Everyone,

This has been a tough couple of weeks.  Chemo last week went ok but I am just exhausted now.  This time the chemo is making my hands and feet tingle and my smell is super sensitive  (I now understand how gross 'wet dog' smells), my taste is either metallic or cardboard. 

Radiation is done end of next week and now the effects are here.  I feel as if I have to suck in breath and have a lump in my throat as well as heartburn constantly.  Everything takes such effort.  Getting out of bed, showering, getting dressed, moving around at all.  My system is working hard and my pulse is in the 105-115 all the time, I feel like I am in a war, which I am.  My hormones are in an uproar as well, all over the place,  feel like a teenager with all the mood swings. 

I didn't think I was vain but loosing my hair is hard.  It's just falling out in clumps.  Blessing is time of year as everyone has touques on.  haha 

I really love all the little thoughtful messages I get, it makes me happy to know you are all out there.

I sure am hoping this is the down swing and now I can start upwards because I am not liking feeling like a 100 year old woman walking in mud with heavy boots on all the time.

Charlotte has been dog walking since 1998 (on her own since 1999).  In addition to giving the dogs their exercise, she helps her clients with little extras such as trimming nails, giving advice, listening to stories of their daily lives, and picking up little things they may need and are not able to get themselves as they are older and don't get out as much.

As she truly goes above and beyond in helping these members of the community, it would be so marvellous and meaningful to see the community help her in this time of need.