Donation protected
Please help my mother Carolyn Sherwood in her battle with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer.
My mother and father are the champions of my world. They adopted me when I was only 7 days old and raised me on the off grid homestead they built, teaching me there was more to life than money and hustle. Mom has the ability to appreciate the simplest things in life. She’s a talented artist, avid gardener, canoeist and has recently taken up paddle boarding. I have come to appreciate her mindset and try to emulate it in my life as much as I can.
- The Story -
September 2017- My mother found a lump in her breast, had the usual tests and biopsies done and 2 days before my wedding received the news that it was indeed an aggressive type, stage 2 breast cancer. She didn’t want to spoil our special day so didn’t tell us. When we returned from our honeymoon she had already had a double mastectomy.
Her oncologist had agreed to support and monitor her, if after the surgery she chose to take a natural approach to healing. But when the time came and my mother decided to try a holistic approach, at least to start with, the doctor abandoned her, walking out on them in a huff saying, “Well, you don’t need me then!” leaving my parents sitting in her office in disbelief! After the surgery there had been no compression garments offered, no one checked on her other than a maternity nurse and there were almost no instructions for her to go home with. As a result Lymphedema has been an ongoing and challenging struggle.
During the following year my parents spent all their spare time studying and trying what alternative options they could afford; starting with changing her diet, keeping her immune system strong, etc. After a year my mom knew something wasn’t right and went in search of someone willing to test her. One oncologist said she could return in a year and she would run a test, “but the surgeon thinks she got it all and there’s no need to worry at this point’’. Another oncologist agreed to see her in seven months. Mom felt as if she had been blacklisted because she made her choice to explore alternative methods. They didn’t believe she could know her own body.
October 2019 - After those seven months they found several large cancerous tumors in her right lung and small ones in her left. Unfortunately these large ones are attached to the pleura and surgery is not an option. They also found cancer in the lymph nodes in her chest which are now pressing against her esophagus. The diagnosis is Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. She went to Dana-Farber where they will test her biopsies in hopes of finding a more targeted treatment plan and will work alongside my mother's current doctor.
- The Situation -
My mom began weekly injection Chemotherapy in early December 2019. A CT scan in early January 2020 found that the tumors are resistant to that particular chemo and have continued to grow. Her Doctor switched her to a hormone therapy along with a new chemo pill. She’s lost her hair, including her eyelashes and has little energy or focus to continue with her work; like the novel she’s been writing off and on for years and so desperately wants to finish. The first half is now in the hands of an editor friend who has given her the encouragement to get back to it!
My parents faith has helped them remain strong and upbeat through these past few years, but my dad is now semi-retired and though they are doing their best to keep on top of all the incoming bills, it’s hard for them not to become overwhelmed knowing about all the upcoming tests, lung draining, scans, high costs of medications and specialty doctors they will be dealing with. They’re hoping my mom has the option of continuing with the natural methods she believes in and the Acupuncturist who has been so loving and loyal over the years, even when mom couldn’t pay. (She attributes both to keeping her immune system strong, the side effects at bay, and her organs functioning well). Unfortunately insurance will not help with these and the chemo will continue indefinitely.
- The Ask -
I am humbly asking for donations to help with my mom’s ongoing treatment, supplemental holistic care and travel expenses. Lets get my mother back on the water, enjoying a few of the things she cherishes and hopefully becoming a grandmother!
No amount is too small and will be appreciated beyond words.
My mother and father are the champions of my world. They adopted me when I was only 7 days old and raised me on the off grid homestead they built, teaching me there was more to life than money and hustle. Mom has the ability to appreciate the simplest things in life. She’s a talented artist, avid gardener, canoeist and has recently taken up paddle boarding. I have come to appreciate her mindset and try to emulate it in my life as much as I can.
- The Story -
September 2017- My mother found a lump in her breast, had the usual tests and biopsies done and 2 days before my wedding received the news that it was indeed an aggressive type, stage 2 breast cancer. She didn’t want to spoil our special day so didn’t tell us. When we returned from our honeymoon she had already had a double mastectomy.
Her oncologist had agreed to support and monitor her, if after the surgery she chose to take a natural approach to healing. But when the time came and my mother decided to try a holistic approach, at least to start with, the doctor abandoned her, walking out on them in a huff saying, “Well, you don’t need me then!” leaving my parents sitting in her office in disbelief! After the surgery there had been no compression garments offered, no one checked on her other than a maternity nurse and there were almost no instructions for her to go home with. As a result Lymphedema has been an ongoing and challenging struggle.
During the following year my parents spent all their spare time studying and trying what alternative options they could afford; starting with changing her diet, keeping her immune system strong, etc. After a year my mom knew something wasn’t right and went in search of someone willing to test her. One oncologist said she could return in a year and she would run a test, “but the surgeon thinks she got it all and there’s no need to worry at this point’’. Another oncologist agreed to see her in seven months. Mom felt as if she had been blacklisted because she made her choice to explore alternative methods. They didn’t believe she could know her own body.
October 2019 - After those seven months they found several large cancerous tumors in her right lung and small ones in her left. Unfortunately these large ones are attached to the pleura and surgery is not an option. They also found cancer in the lymph nodes in her chest which are now pressing against her esophagus. The diagnosis is Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. She went to Dana-Farber where they will test her biopsies in hopes of finding a more targeted treatment plan and will work alongside my mother's current doctor.
- The Situation -
My mom began weekly injection Chemotherapy in early December 2019. A CT scan in early January 2020 found that the tumors are resistant to that particular chemo and have continued to grow. Her Doctor switched her to a hormone therapy along with a new chemo pill. She’s lost her hair, including her eyelashes and has little energy or focus to continue with her work; like the novel she’s been writing off and on for years and so desperately wants to finish. The first half is now in the hands of an editor friend who has given her the encouragement to get back to it!
My parents faith has helped them remain strong and upbeat through these past few years, but my dad is now semi-retired and though they are doing their best to keep on top of all the incoming bills, it’s hard for them not to become overwhelmed knowing about all the upcoming tests, lung draining, scans, high costs of medications and specialty doctors they will be dealing with. They’re hoping my mom has the option of continuing with the natural methods she believes in and the Acupuncturist who has been so loving and loyal over the years, even when mom couldn’t pay. (She attributes both to keeping her immune system strong, the side effects at bay, and her organs functioning well). Unfortunately insurance will not help with these and the chemo will continue indefinitely.
- The Ask -
I am humbly asking for donations to help with my mom’s ongoing treatment, supplemental holistic care and travel expenses. Lets get my mother back on the water, enjoying a few of the things she cherishes and hopefully becoming a grandmother!
No amount is too small and will be appreciated beyond words.
Organizer
Blake Sherwood
Organizer
Beverly, MA