Terminal cancer - please help support Michelle & her family

To all who know and love Michelle Gonzales and her beautiful family, and to those of you without the privilege of having met her, we are saddened to report her battle with breast cancer has returned - this time with a highly probable rapid decline to the end of her life.

Michelle is a dependable, loyal, kind, uplifting, charismatic, and fierce human being. She shines in all aspects of her life, but where she glows most is in the life she’s built with her husband, James, and her two little boys, Ares (5) and Atlas (4). Michelle is gutted to learn of her terminal diagnosis, and is determined to spend her limited time left seeking treatments to stall the growth of her cancer and to drink in as much time as she possibly can with her immediate family.

Michelle received her initial cancer diagnosis (pleomorphic invasive lobular carcinoma which is estrogen and progesterone receptor positive) at just 35 years old while pregnant with her second son, Atlas. She underwent chemotherapy both during and after her pregnancy (delivering a healthy baby, by the way!), followed by a double mastectomy, and postpartum radiation. At that time, their life savings was depleted and all emergency funds exhausted.

For the last four years, Michelle has followed every directive recommended by her medical team. She’s endured countless tests, scans, and appointments to ensure her cancer has not returned, and in the event it ever did, her diligent dedication to her health would make sure any new signs of cancer would be caught early and treated swiftly. Michelle is madly in love with her life, and she has put every checkpoint in place to secure it for many decades. But sometimes, in the world of cancer, even the most dedicated of survivors find themselves staring down it’s brutal barrel again.

In early September, Michelle received the unimaginable news that not only had her cancer returned, it had mutated to a triple negative (which is very resistant to treatment) and spread to her bones and liver. She will begin a new chemotherapy and immunotherapy round that is slated to last nine weeks. At the end of this round, she will be re-scanned in hopes this treatment has helped to stall the aggressive growth of her cancer. If it has, she will repeat another nine week round. If not, she will begin a different chemotherapy, which is much harder on the liver. Having cancer in her liver complicates the treatment, however, it remains her final option to prolong her life. In either case, and under the very best of circumstances, her doctors give her a year left to live.

As you can imagine, Michelle is scrambling - unsure of how much time she has left, knowing her cancer is aggressive and rapidly spreading. She is a realist and has done what research she can about the type of decline she can expect from a cancer like hers, and she expects her pain to increase and mobility to decline. She is sprinting to tie up loose ends and complete loads of necessary paperwork while managing pain, grasping at all resources she can to ensure the family she leaves behind is left with as much financial and emotional support possible. Michelle has worked hard her entire life with most of that work spent in hospitality, however, after this recent diagnosis and onset of pain, she has reluctantly had to say goodbye to her work family at Ashley Christensen Restaurants.

Michelle’s husband, James, will be left a single parent, with residual financial strain left over from Michelle’s initial diagnosis, compounded with the financial drain from her recent diagnosis and subsequent treatments. James and Michelle are a couple with a genuine love story. They are true soulmates, and anyone who has ever had the privilege of witnessing the way they interact with one another will attest to their deep, unshakeable adoration and love. James has a huge mountain to climb, a mountain he’s been unconsciously preparing for since the devastating diagnosis in 2021. He has been her rock for years, and he will continue to be until the very end, that is certain. He will undoubtedly continue to be an incredible father, but will need financial support as he loses the income of his partner, navigates his own immeasurable grief, and becomes the primary solo support for Ares and Atlas.

Ares and Atlas are the light of Michelle’s world. She is fully present and engaged with her children, and is forever making the most of her time with them even before learning of her terminal diagnosis. She is the mom found sitting cross legged on the play room building marble run mazes and Legos. They are always growing flowers, painting, creating, dancing, singing show tunes, baking, going to the park - the list goes on. Her eyes sparkle even more when she’s watching them, forever fascinated by their witty senses of humor, brilliant minds, and big hearted view of the world around them. Michelle was born to be their mother, and the legacy and sense of connection and love she’s given her boys will undoubtedly carry them through their entire lives.

Michelle’s battle with cancer started when she was young and barely starting out. She had not secured a life insurance policy, and once she received her initial diagnosis, she was unable to find a plan that would approve her with such health risks. We ask that if you are able, please donate to their family. No amount is too small. Funds received will go toward paying for treatments, allowing James a bit of freedom to work less so he is able to be by her side, care for her, and make the most of the time he has left with her. After her passing, funds will go toward the costs of cremation services and then to supporting the financial future of her children. There is a large amount of incomprehensible stress for Michelle and her family, and while it’s not possible for any of her loved ones to heal her, it would be greatly appreciated if we could help lighten the financial burden they are facing.

Your generosity will give Michelle and her family some peace to focus on what matters most at this time. James and Michelle send their most sincere gratitude, thanking you from the bottom of their hearts.