Help for Our Beautiful Friend Linda
Donation protected
Hello family and friends….
We have started this fundraiser to help support our lovely Linda Johnston. As most of you know, Linda was diagnosed with appendiceal cancer in March of 2020. This was especially heartbreaking news, as Linda was just getting started planning her August 2021 move to Arizona to enjoy her recent retirement. But not surprisingly to anyone, Linda accepted the diagnosis and began treatment.
In October of 2021, after not getting the results desired with more traditional treatments, Linda underwent a very invasive surgery: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery. HIPEC is a two-step procedure that treats certain cancers in the abdomen. Cancerous tumors are surgically removed, and then heated chemotherapy drugs are applied directly inside the abdomen to eliminate the remaining cancerous cells. Not surprisingly, Linda took on the surgery with strength and positivity, but the recovery was brutal and took almost a year just for her to get back on her feet.
While the recovery was tough, Linda’s HIPEC surgery was successful and she was able to enjoy better health for a year. Unfortunately, in 2022, Linda was told her cancer had returned and that the cancer was terminal, although how much time will be given to her, she does not know. Linda shared with me that beyond the daily medical challenges, her real struggle is, “trying to make peace with the fact that the end is near and all the things (I’ll) miss, like sweet 16, proms, weddings, all the milestones of grandkids and my kids.”
A few weeks ago, Linda made the decision to return to the Reno/Sparks area so that she could be closer to her children, grandchildren, and her friends. We are so very happy to have her nearby so we can spend time with this beautiful woman — and isn’t she rocking the bald look?!
Linda is a strong, courageous, and life-affirming woman and so she continues to move forward with treatment (chemo mostly) under the guidance of her amazing medical team in Arizona. She shared that, “what I have learned is there is nothing straight forward about this disease, it changes on a regular basis and you don’t know what’s coming next.” Linda chose to stay with her medical team in Arizona because they have been with her for the last three years through all of the medical trials, and she does not want to have to find and establish with new and unknown doctors at this point in her journey.
Linda has to travel to Arizona weekly for chemotherapy sessions. Each session requires a two day trip minimum due to the length of time for the chemotherapy sessions. She stays at a hotel while she is in Arizona. Linda has received some support from Angel flight (thanks to Dani for helping hook Linda up with these pilot-angels), but they are not always able to consistently provide the transportation to and from due to availability and schedules. Of course she is wildly grateful when they are able to help, because then her only cost is food and hotel while she is in Arizona. If she cannot use Angel flight, she has to also add in the expense of the airfare.
I am hoping that we can make Linda’s life just a little bit easier during this time by helping her with the costs associated with traveling to and from Arizona for treatment, and any other costs associated with her health. I know we all agree that Linda should not have to worry about anything except her treatment and spending time with her loved ones. Linda is on a very limited income since her retirement, so this has been easier said than done.
If you think you might be able to help Linda by donating, please know that any amount can help. We know that Linda is not ever one to ask for help, but she truly needs our help now, and so if you are able, please consider donating. I know Linda and her family would be so very grateful.
Thank you for listening. Even if you are unable to donate, please do send your prayers, hugs, and love to our beautiful Linda.
Warmly,
Kim Crowley on behalf of all who love our Linda
We have started this fundraiser to help support our lovely Linda Johnston. As most of you know, Linda was diagnosed with appendiceal cancer in March of 2020. This was especially heartbreaking news, as Linda was just getting started planning her August 2021 move to Arizona to enjoy her recent retirement. But not surprisingly to anyone, Linda accepted the diagnosis and began treatment.
In October of 2021, after not getting the results desired with more traditional treatments, Linda underwent a very invasive surgery: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery. HIPEC is a two-step procedure that treats certain cancers in the abdomen. Cancerous tumors are surgically removed, and then heated chemotherapy drugs are applied directly inside the abdomen to eliminate the remaining cancerous cells. Not surprisingly, Linda took on the surgery with strength and positivity, but the recovery was brutal and took almost a year just for her to get back on her feet.
While the recovery was tough, Linda’s HIPEC surgery was successful and she was able to enjoy better health for a year. Unfortunately, in 2022, Linda was told her cancer had returned and that the cancer was terminal, although how much time will be given to her, she does not know. Linda shared with me that beyond the daily medical challenges, her real struggle is, “trying to make peace with the fact that the end is near and all the things (I’ll) miss, like sweet 16, proms, weddings, all the milestones of grandkids and my kids.”
A few weeks ago, Linda made the decision to return to the Reno/Sparks area so that she could be closer to her children, grandchildren, and her friends. We are so very happy to have her nearby so we can spend time with this beautiful woman — and isn’t she rocking the bald look?!
Linda is a strong, courageous, and life-affirming woman and so she continues to move forward with treatment (chemo mostly) under the guidance of her amazing medical team in Arizona. She shared that, “what I have learned is there is nothing straight forward about this disease, it changes on a regular basis and you don’t know what’s coming next.” Linda chose to stay with her medical team in Arizona because they have been with her for the last three years through all of the medical trials, and she does not want to have to find and establish with new and unknown doctors at this point in her journey.
Linda has to travel to Arizona weekly for chemotherapy sessions. Each session requires a two day trip minimum due to the length of time for the chemotherapy sessions. She stays at a hotel while she is in Arizona. Linda has received some support from Angel flight (thanks to Dani for helping hook Linda up with these pilot-angels), but they are not always able to consistently provide the transportation to and from due to availability and schedules. Of course she is wildly grateful when they are able to help, because then her only cost is food and hotel while she is in Arizona. If she cannot use Angel flight, she has to also add in the expense of the airfare.
I am hoping that we can make Linda’s life just a little bit easier during this time by helping her with the costs associated with traveling to and from Arizona for treatment, and any other costs associated with her health. I know we all agree that Linda should not have to worry about anything except her treatment and spending time with her loved ones. Linda is on a very limited income since her retirement, so this has been easier said than done.
If you think you might be able to help Linda by donating, please know that any amount can help. We know that Linda is not ever one to ask for help, but she truly needs our help now, and so if you are able, please consider donating. I know Linda and her family would be so very grateful.
Thank you for listening. Even if you are unable to donate, please do send your prayers, hugs, and love to our beautiful Linda.
Warmly,
Kim Crowley on behalf of all who love our Linda
Organizer and beneficiary
Kim Crowley
Organizer
Sparks, NV
Linda Johnston
Beneficiary