Healing for Possum (Ed Mac)

As some of you may know, my father (Ed) has recently received news that after thirteen years of remission, his cancer has returned in one of the worst forms we could have imagined - Metastatic Stage IV Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Words can not describe the heartache my family is currently feeling. If you have gone through this before, I honor you - it takes a certain strength to witness this and still maintain a peace and calmness around not just a father, but a best friend. As I sit here and think about all of the endless text messages, phone calls, emails and letters our amazing friends, family, and community have sent asking, "What can we do to help?" I think about my father Ed - a man who would literally give the shirt off of his back to anyone in need.  I automatically think, "Can you take my dad's pain away?"  No, probably not, but one thing I know for certain is that the energy of your thoughts, prayers and well wishes provide both him and our family with healing and comfort - for that, we are eternally grateful.

I decided to take the action of making a  Gofundme page into my own hands and to be honest I will probably get a lot of crap from my family for doing so, (haha) but that’s okay, I have thick skin.  As a lot of you know, the MacLachlan's value our strong Scottish roots and close ties but as the days seem shorter and shorter and our uncertainty grows, I felt that it was important to reach out to everyone. I want to provide a space and chance for you to know in your hearts that you contributed to the healing of my family and my father.  As I watch medical bills pile up on the dining room table and listen to conversations on what to expect in the times to come, I think of the how heavy this burden must feel to him - one that, physically, emotionally, and financially he has no choice but to carry.

While I set up this Gofundme page to help offset some of the financial burdens my father is currently facing, monetary contributions are only one aspect of support.  I don't expect everyone reading this to contribute financially, but I do ask that you contribute what you can. Contribute with a prayer, an energy, with a hug to your own families because healing is contagious and so is love.  Do that, that is what matters. Spread kindness, spread laughter, and most of all spread hope. One thing I know for sure is that at the end of all of this heartache, there will be peace. There will be peace because of all of you who have supported me and my family throughout the years. My father is the strongest person I know, and because of that I know he and my entire family will be okay. 

For those of you who are currently dealing with or have dealt with a family member or friend going through this, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Remember that each day brings new healing and even cancer cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope and it cannot conquer the spirit. We will ALL continue to fight this battle, and we will do it together! Thank you for taking the time to  read this letter.  If you feel inclined, please share it with a friend or a neighbor - positive energy is powerful and will drive us all to stay #MacLachlanStrong

With love and gratitude,

Haley MacLachlan Ristoff & sisters <3