Fighting for Windeline
Donation protected
A few years ago, in 2013, my mom Windeline was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. She went through a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation- you name it; she went through all of it, and she won her battle! But some battles apparently can’t be won. She has once again been diagnosed- this time it’s stage four: terminal breast cancer.
My mom’s oncologist had estimated we would have another three-to-five years together. Since this estimate we have spent countless nights in the hospital because of further complications. My mom is now only able to breathe out of one lung, because of paralysis in her diaphragm which has caused it to press against her right lung, disabling its ability to expand.
With my mom’s present condition, we have been given nearly six months together- if she is able to continue chemotherapy.
Without the chemo, two months is all we have left.
My mom has done nothing but care for her family to the point of almost forgetting about herself and her own needs. We used to have a rough relationship: she was strict, and I was stubborn- not to say that we didn’t love each other.
I think it’s in these moments that I have come to recognize or to feel like I am being robbed.
I am being robbed of a summer spent at the beach, with friends, under the sun, with outbursts of laughter, adventures outdoors. What’s more is, I am being robbed of a lifetime of memories with the woman who raised and loves me more than I am capable of loving her. I am robbed of my mom’s proud smile as I walk across the stage at my high school graduation, of her warm embrace when I come home from a difficult day with nothing but heartache and pain. I’m robbed of her voice, of her laughter, of her touch; of her.
I know my mom is a difficult woman- but that’s what makes her strong.
I love her. I love you, ma.
It’s her smile that keeps me going each day, and makes this all bearable. It is for that reason I am asking for your help- please help me to keep her smiling for the time we have together.
My mom is unemployed because of her condition- I am working part-time while in high school, and trying to do whatever I can to keep us afloat, but all we’re doing is surviving. I want to see her living, and to do that I am hoping to take her away, from the place that has become her battleground, where she has been fighting to stay strong, and fighting for her loved ones- for me. All I want is to see her smile- to see her at peace with herself and those around her. I want to be able to lift this burden, and let her have a moment someplace nice where she can be at ease.
With your help, and your support we cannot thank you enough; I thank you, for making my mom smile, and for giving me the chance to keep carrying her- to keep loving her.
#fightforwindeline
My mom’s oncologist had estimated we would have another three-to-five years together. Since this estimate we have spent countless nights in the hospital because of further complications. My mom is now only able to breathe out of one lung, because of paralysis in her diaphragm which has caused it to press against her right lung, disabling its ability to expand.
With my mom’s present condition, we have been given nearly six months together- if she is able to continue chemotherapy.
Without the chemo, two months is all we have left.
My mom has done nothing but care for her family to the point of almost forgetting about herself and her own needs. We used to have a rough relationship: she was strict, and I was stubborn- not to say that we didn’t love each other.
I think it’s in these moments that I have come to recognize or to feel like I am being robbed.
I am being robbed of a summer spent at the beach, with friends, under the sun, with outbursts of laughter, adventures outdoors. What’s more is, I am being robbed of a lifetime of memories with the woman who raised and loves me more than I am capable of loving her. I am robbed of my mom’s proud smile as I walk across the stage at my high school graduation, of her warm embrace when I come home from a difficult day with nothing but heartache and pain. I’m robbed of her voice, of her laughter, of her touch; of her.
I know my mom is a difficult woman- but that’s what makes her strong.
I love her. I love you, ma.
It’s her smile that keeps me going each day, and makes this all bearable. It is for that reason I am asking for your help- please help me to keep her smiling for the time we have together.
My mom is unemployed because of her condition- I am working part-time while in high school, and trying to do whatever I can to keep us afloat, but all we’re doing is surviving. I want to see her living, and to do that I am hoping to take her away, from the place that has become her battleground, where she has been fighting to stay strong, and fighting for her loved ones- for me. All I want is to see her smile- to see her at peace with herself and those around her. I want to be able to lift this burden, and let her have a moment someplace nice where she can be at ease.
With your help, and your support we cannot thank you enough; I thank you, for making my mom smile, and for giving me the chance to keep carrying her- to keep loving her.
#fightforwindeline
Organizer
Catherine Janelle Galang
Organizer
Richmond, BC