Emily Kicks Cancer's Butt

One thing in life we are never guaranteed is our health.  It can be there one day and then with one phone call or one doctor visit, changed or gone the next.  In this life, bad things do happen to good people.  I am writing this on behalf of my friend, a good person.  Emily was the one of us who wanted a family.  I wanted a career, others in our group wanted a good time, but Emily wanted a family. Several years ago her dream of marriage came true when she found a good man and we all felt sure about giving “our Emily” away to Joshua.  Just over a year ago, her package was completed with a baby boy, Finn.  Things got even better in August 2017 when they discovered they were pregnant with #2!  Life is so tough, that it brings the heart joy to see someone get their measure of happiness in this world.   However, some wonderful years were threatened when Emily was diagnosed with breast cancer a week after Finn’s first birthday and at about 18 weeks pregnant.  Baby preparations were joined with planning for Emily’s treatment which includes multiple surgeries and chemotherapy while ensuring her growing child safe. This became highest priority.  

 What’s the big deal; most people live from breast cancer right?   Right, they do and I believe she will, but the part many never see is what the journey takes away.   Emily and Josh have established careers that provide enough to support their family, BUT their jobs are hourly and offer no sick or paid leave of any kind.  Emily and Josh have both already lost income due to surgeries and multiple necessary appointments, and Emily will now undergo chemo while pregnant, with a likelihood of preterm delivery that she hopes to prevent, and twice weekly appointments to specifically monitor the baby boy’s health. His delivery will be followed by another 3 months of weekly chemo, hormone suppressants to push her into early menopause, a double mastectomy and a strict restriction to lift and care for her newborn baby and Finn.  Let me paint the picture, a double income household was just reduced substantially and a dual parenting scenario will shift to a single parenting scenario- with a sick mom, a toddler and a newborn all on the shoulders of one working father.  One of the financial needs is that Emily will need to hire full time help for a portion of this time.  After her recovery, Emily will wake up to piles of bills, an infant, a husband that is tired and a toddler that doesn’t understand why so much has changed in his life. 

People need people. No one can go it alone and this is a couple that needs your help.  At times like these it can be a challenge to help in meaningful ways.  This is a way to show support to Emily and her family that will go directly to all of their care as she continues her treatment and ultimately her recovery. Please give directly to a family in much need.  Life can be uphill, but when we are carried by love, all we see is the view.