Help me live the life I love
Donation protected
I love life and I have lived it to the fullest. By no means I am ready to leave and that’s why I’m reaching out for support. Some of you may know me but for those of who don’t I’m 37 years old and live in Perth, Western Australia. I’ve lived abroad, in nearly every state in Australia and have done my fair share of community development work in small regional communities. I’m a Yoga teacher, Community/Youth Development Officer at a local council, daughter, sister, surfer, ocean lover and a friend to many. And now, a melanoma cancer patient who will eventually become a melanoma survivor.
I know I can save my life and I’m asking for your help to do that.
As many of you are already aware I was diagnosed with Metasatic Melanoma just over a week ago. On Wednesday 23rd August 2017, I had a massive tumor surgically removed from my left armpit. It was bigger than the surgeons fist, it reached into by breast and up to the main artery of the arm covering my lymph nodes. The tumor grew to this size in a matter of months. This disease is so aggressive and so fast moving that if I had left surgery for just one week more it would have been an extremely different outcome.
This surgery did not save my life, it’s not a cure. What it did do was give me the gift of time. Time of which I intend to use very wisely! From a western/conventional medical perspective I am looking at ‘a best case scenario’ of a 5 year life expectancy. I am still waiting for the final pathology results which will provide more information, but likely also more unknowns. Even if the surgeon did manage to get all of it, it’s almost guaranteed to come back. The statistics for Melanoma are not great, it’s aggressive, fast moving and not necessarily conducive to reaching the ripe old age of 90. However, I don't care what the statistics say. I intend to defy the odds and live a long and happy life.
Two weeks ago I was surfing, hiking and mountain biking. Today I'm lying in a hospital bed knowing my life has now changed forever, as I now dedicate every waking moment to healing and saving my life. I have found a team of natural practitioners who I trust and respect. This team will work with me extensively over the coming months, and likely years. I’m so confident I will overcome this as I know the power of the mind. Alternative treatments like these are not funded by western treatment plans or Australian health care funds. Doctors and oncology teams rather recommend, a wait and see approach, or radiotherapy with no guarantee of a cure. Both western options give me no control over the ability to save my own life, but rather encourage me to sit back and wait for the cancer to most likely spread and grow – I am just not ok with this when I know I have the innate power to heal my own body.
Those of you who know me, know how independent I am and understand how hard this is for me to ask for help. However, for me to get treatment and to stand a chance, I have to let go of ego and reach out for help. I can’t do this alone. This is the first gift the cancer has given me: it has forced me to remove ego and show vulnerability; to ask for help when I need it and be open to what I could receive- rest assured I’ll always be grateful. Even in the face of such adversity I can, and do, see the silver lining. I choose not to look at this as a catastrophe, but as a life changing episode. One that will bring many blessings if I allow it.
My promise to you.
If you contribute to my healing then I will pay it forward.
When (not if) I overcome this, my life will be dedicated to helping others. If you contribute, I will work with your community, I will deliver yoga classes/mindfulness training to you/your family/your school/your community. God forbid, if you or someone you love is ever confronted with something like this I will be there for you. I will share my story, my learnings and help you in every possible way. My next gift is I now know my life purpose and how I will help others. Everything in humanity is in duality. Where there is dark there is light, where there is sadness, there is happiness. I have full faith much good will come from this.
As you can imagine is has been very costly so far. I don’t know the exact cost of everything yet, but I have approximated at least $10,000. This will include naturopaths, vitamin c therapy, strict dietary requirements, herbs, supplements, oxygen therapy, emotional release therapy, natural healers and an ongoing coach that will guide me through this every step of the way. Anything over this will allow me to take some additional time off from work to heal, and anything in addition to that will be put into helping others.
I am immensely grateful for all of your love and support so far. I know I’m asking for a lot and I express the deepest gratitude for anything you are able to contribute.
Please share this page. Every little bit will help me go a long way.
If you would like to follow my journey you can follow me on facebook - fb.me/journalofdiscovery
Much light and love
Jo
I know I can save my life and I’m asking for your help to do that.
As many of you are already aware I was diagnosed with Metasatic Melanoma just over a week ago. On Wednesday 23rd August 2017, I had a massive tumor surgically removed from my left armpit. It was bigger than the surgeons fist, it reached into by breast and up to the main artery of the arm covering my lymph nodes. The tumor grew to this size in a matter of months. This disease is so aggressive and so fast moving that if I had left surgery for just one week more it would have been an extremely different outcome.
This surgery did not save my life, it’s not a cure. What it did do was give me the gift of time. Time of which I intend to use very wisely! From a western/conventional medical perspective I am looking at ‘a best case scenario’ of a 5 year life expectancy. I am still waiting for the final pathology results which will provide more information, but likely also more unknowns. Even if the surgeon did manage to get all of it, it’s almost guaranteed to come back. The statistics for Melanoma are not great, it’s aggressive, fast moving and not necessarily conducive to reaching the ripe old age of 90. However, I don't care what the statistics say. I intend to defy the odds and live a long and happy life.
Two weeks ago I was surfing, hiking and mountain biking. Today I'm lying in a hospital bed knowing my life has now changed forever, as I now dedicate every waking moment to healing and saving my life. I have found a team of natural practitioners who I trust and respect. This team will work with me extensively over the coming months, and likely years. I’m so confident I will overcome this as I know the power of the mind. Alternative treatments like these are not funded by western treatment plans or Australian health care funds. Doctors and oncology teams rather recommend, a wait and see approach, or radiotherapy with no guarantee of a cure. Both western options give me no control over the ability to save my own life, but rather encourage me to sit back and wait for the cancer to most likely spread and grow – I am just not ok with this when I know I have the innate power to heal my own body.
Those of you who know me, know how independent I am and understand how hard this is for me to ask for help. However, for me to get treatment and to stand a chance, I have to let go of ego and reach out for help. I can’t do this alone. This is the first gift the cancer has given me: it has forced me to remove ego and show vulnerability; to ask for help when I need it and be open to what I could receive- rest assured I’ll always be grateful. Even in the face of such adversity I can, and do, see the silver lining. I choose not to look at this as a catastrophe, but as a life changing episode. One that will bring many blessings if I allow it.
My promise to you.
If you contribute to my healing then I will pay it forward.
When (not if) I overcome this, my life will be dedicated to helping others. If you contribute, I will work with your community, I will deliver yoga classes/mindfulness training to you/your family/your school/your community. God forbid, if you or someone you love is ever confronted with something like this I will be there for you. I will share my story, my learnings and help you in every possible way. My next gift is I now know my life purpose and how I will help others. Everything in humanity is in duality. Where there is dark there is light, where there is sadness, there is happiness. I have full faith much good will come from this.
As you can imagine is has been very costly so far. I don’t know the exact cost of everything yet, but I have approximated at least $10,000. This will include naturopaths, vitamin c therapy, strict dietary requirements, herbs, supplements, oxygen therapy, emotional release therapy, natural healers and an ongoing coach that will guide me through this every step of the way. Anything over this will allow me to take some additional time off from work to heal, and anything in addition to that will be put into helping others.
I am immensely grateful for all of your love and support so far. I know I’m asking for a lot and I express the deepest gratitude for anything you are able to contribute.
Please share this page. Every little bit will help me go a long way.
If you would like to follow my journey you can follow me on facebook - fb.me/journalofdiscovery
Much light and love
Jo
Organiser
Jo Draper
Organiser
Fremantle WA
