GBM Cancer Patient fundrasing for glasses and travelling

Hi there! I'm Shelley, I'm 18 years old and today I found out that I have a Glioblastoma, specifically a diffuse midline glioma pressing against my brain stem. I had had a biopsy and crainotomy two weeks ago at Toronto Western hospital, and I'm currently recovering at Toronto Rehab center. When asking about life expectancy, my oncologist predicts "many many months, hopefully years, but not decades", as my tumour is aggressive and also has a mutation. Thankfully, we are starting radiation treatment next week, and the journey is said to not have many side effects. Soon I will also particupate in chemotherapy, and we want to do everything we can to control the glioma for as long as we can.

Truth be told, I am very scared, as this changes my whole life. I had moved to Toronto to begin my first year as a UofT Engineering student (shout out EngSci!), but after a few weeks of vision issues, which I attributed to my contacts at the time, and frequent headaches, I found myself at the ER getting a CT scan. It was on September 11th of this year that I found out about the mass lesion in my head, and it had been surreal since then. I had since moved out of my college dorm and haven't been able to keep up with my studies, and after finding out about how long I likely have to live, I just want to spend the next few years traveling the world with my mom and having fun with her. I started this gofundme because I want to fly to Europe for Christmas with my mom and hopefully my sister as well, as my radiation treatment will last just until before the holidays. I've always dreamed of visiting the Christmas markets in Europe, and I think it could be a great first travel destination.

Unfortunately, between the changes from the steroid medication, they hair that hasn't been washed for two weeks (and is erratically shaved at the incision line), the left side of my face being almost stiff, and constantly looking to the right to see, my self-confidence is at an all time low. I feel very self-conscious in the selfie I took for this cover! Alas, it is after several attempts where I managed to get one I would be okay sharing. I'm working hard to relearn how to smile and also to feel confident as a new me! But it is hard, andI know I'm rather vain deep down haha.

I know that I am, while terribly unlucky to get this cancer, also lucky that my medical bills during this time will mostly be covered as I'm a Canadian citizen. I do, however, have to pay out of pocket for prism glasses, which I will get to use eventually once the swelling in my head from surgery dies down. This glasses are very expensive and cost thousands of dollars -- any funds I receive from this gofundme go first into my glasses fund, then into my travel fund. I would also love to fundraise with brain cancer nonprofits to raise money for research for better treatment in the future, and would be happy to be contacted!