Gabby's Sail for Sanity
Donation protected
Over the last 20 years I have been through hell and back only to now find out I have approximately 12 months to live.
I have endured a domestically violent relationship, a messy divorce, including fighting for custody of my children and then worked long hours as a single parent to pay for their care and court fees. The stress from this resulted in my first stroke which eventually led to another six. This has left me wheelchair bound with a respiratory disorder and no longer able to work. As a result I lost our family home and have remained under financial stress ever since. I now live in community housing with constant carers to assist me with daily living tasks and in the last 12 months have been diagnosed with end stage breast cancer.
My cancer journey has been complex to say the least. Attempted treatments including chemo therapy have failed. I am anaphylactically allergic to all four varied versions of the drug the doctors have tried resulting in no possible cure.
Meanwhile surgery was recommended by a surgical oncologist; but due to my other pre-existing and complex health conditions such as strokes, obesity due to steroids for my lung function, respiratory failure, sleep apnoea and heart failure, a general anaesthetic was deemed too risky. My option to attempt to remove the breast lumps was under local anaesthetic with a mild sedation. I could not believe it! This is where all my ill health had taken me. I was terrified but tried to be brave and went ahead with the surgery. My surgical oncologist removed the lymphnode and a lump from my right breast. All looked good and I had survived the surgery! All seemed pretty positive until the next CT scan 6 months after which showed remaining lymph nodes, thought to be benign had tripled in size and were now classed as cancer. Surgery was once again being discussed.
Once again I was sent to see the high risk anaesthetic consultants that again deemed a general anaesthetic as too risky. This surgery is a palliative treatment and not a cure and is aimed to prevent these masses breaking through the skin and creating an open sore that would never heal. My god it’s been 12 months through hell and I’m going to die... I can’t give my children more time, be at their wedding or see their children born.
Whilst my life is challenging to say the least, my positive nature and stubborn perseverance has me more determined than ever before to fight to enjoy life and the time I have left. I have decided I need to go away to enjoy this time. A trip where I can breathe, not worry about what I can’t change and create priceless memories I have not been able to afford before.
So I am asking all that read my story to help me get away and possibly sail the ocean, soak in the sunshine, breathe in the sea air and go out in style. I’ve not been on a holiday in 20 years and this would help me get there.
The money I am hoping to raise would go towards mine and my carer’s travel and accommodation expenses. To all those who help me on this journey I will provide you with what my holiday plan will be, how long I will go for, and if all goes to plan some photos and travel stories.
So please go fund me and let me experience a wonderful last journey.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and donate, your kindness is greatly appreciated!
I have endured a domestically violent relationship, a messy divorce, including fighting for custody of my children and then worked long hours as a single parent to pay for their care and court fees. The stress from this resulted in my first stroke which eventually led to another six. This has left me wheelchair bound with a respiratory disorder and no longer able to work. As a result I lost our family home and have remained under financial stress ever since. I now live in community housing with constant carers to assist me with daily living tasks and in the last 12 months have been diagnosed with end stage breast cancer.
My cancer journey has been complex to say the least. Attempted treatments including chemo therapy have failed. I am anaphylactically allergic to all four varied versions of the drug the doctors have tried resulting in no possible cure.
Meanwhile surgery was recommended by a surgical oncologist; but due to my other pre-existing and complex health conditions such as strokes, obesity due to steroids for my lung function, respiratory failure, sleep apnoea and heart failure, a general anaesthetic was deemed too risky. My option to attempt to remove the breast lumps was under local anaesthetic with a mild sedation. I could not believe it! This is where all my ill health had taken me. I was terrified but tried to be brave and went ahead with the surgery. My surgical oncologist removed the lymphnode and a lump from my right breast. All looked good and I had survived the surgery! All seemed pretty positive until the next CT scan 6 months after which showed remaining lymph nodes, thought to be benign had tripled in size and were now classed as cancer. Surgery was once again being discussed.
Once again I was sent to see the high risk anaesthetic consultants that again deemed a general anaesthetic as too risky. This surgery is a palliative treatment and not a cure and is aimed to prevent these masses breaking through the skin and creating an open sore that would never heal. My god it’s been 12 months through hell and I’m going to die... I can’t give my children more time, be at their wedding or see their children born.
Whilst my life is challenging to say the least, my positive nature and stubborn perseverance has me more determined than ever before to fight to enjoy life and the time I have left. I have decided I need to go away to enjoy this time. A trip where I can breathe, not worry about what I can’t change and create priceless memories I have not been able to afford before.
So I am asking all that read my story to help me get away and possibly sail the ocean, soak in the sunshine, breathe in the sea air and go out in style. I’ve not been on a holiday in 20 years and this would help me get there.
The money I am hoping to raise would go towards mine and my carer’s travel and accommodation expenses. To all those who help me on this journey I will provide you with what my holiday plan will be, how long I will go for, and if all goes to plan some photos and travel stories.
So please go fund me and let me experience a wonderful last journey.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and donate, your kindness is greatly appreciated!
Organizer
Gabby Crowther
Organizer
Ascot Park SA
