Help Joanie Survive
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***ORIGINAL AIM BELOW, PLEASE SEE LATEST UPDATES***
Anyone who knows Joan Holbek, knows that she is simply the emblem of the JOY OF LIFE.
Cancer is threatening that now, and as those who know her are aware, she's in the habit of helping and not asking for help. We have all, as a family, now learnt to accept that it is okay to reach out in times of need.
Joan is a loved and cherished Kindergarten teacher; she is a mother of four (and eagerly looks forward to becoming a granny of many one day!), a friend to countless wonderful people around the world, a dear wife, daughter, sister and auntie.
Joan has spent her entire life giving and is truly one of the most kind-hearted and generous souls on this earth. Of course, as her daughter, I may seem a little biased, but I have witnessed the effect she has had on the children and families of the children she has taught over many years, and all the friends she has been there for and who's hearts she has touched.
In 2009 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she fought with a positive, confident approach, and at the end of 2014 was effectively given the all clear by the NHS team.
We were devastated to find out in September 2015 that her cancer had returned and spread to her bones and essentially crushed two major areas of the spine, causing excruciating pain, difficulty with movement and areas of lost feeling. She was told that with the severity of her cancer the hospital would only be able to offer her palliative treatment. She once again received radiotherapy and was told that surgery could be too risky with her fragile spine. With various drugs her pain has been stabilised, but her tumour markers continue to rise at a rapid pace, despite many additional efforts to slow the growths down (including diet, juicing and various additional forms of therapy).
In March we found out that the cancer had decided to spread itself around her body and latch onto other major organs, and more recently it has become speedier and more aggressive in its determination, and so with the stakes ever rising, it is time to try something new.
Mum is full of life, she has many years left to keep giving to those around her and will never allow the cancer to defeat her indomitable spirit. She has a lot of fight left in her, a determination so strong and positive, and an endless supply of love surrounding her. We are all determined to give her the life she deserves to keep on living.
If we can raise the funds needed we would like to carefully transport her to one of three possible clinics that offer a plethora of wonderful alternative cancer treatments, with a high success rate of helping to overcome terminal disease.
The decision as to which clinic she will go to will mainly depend on her strength and ability to travel, as one of them is as far away as Mexico, but a decision will be made imminently as we still await a few more results.
It goes without saying that any of these journeys alone prove a risk, but a risk that we feel sure will be worth the pay-off. It is vital that, with such a delicate broken back, we transport her to whichever clinic she chooses (Hungary, Switzerland or Mexico), in as much comfort as possible.
As conventional medicine doesn't appear to have much left to offer at this stage, we have been thorough in our research of alternative treatments, and unfortunately, as seems to be the way with such things, all potential life-saving routes seem to cost the earth and therefore dangle beyond our means.
We would be endlessly appreciative and deeply grateful for any kind donation that will help to make this active healing quest become possible. Even the impressionist artists knew how to create beautiful paintings one dot at a time!
I will keep this page updated with decisions, results etc. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Anyone who knows Joan Holbek, knows that she is simply the emblem of the JOY OF LIFE.
Cancer is threatening that now, and as those who know her are aware, she's in the habit of helping and not asking for help. We have all, as a family, now learnt to accept that it is okay to reach out in times of need.
Joan is a loved and cherished Kindergarten teacher; she is a mother of four (and eagerly looks forward to becoming a granny of many one day!), a friend to countless wonderful people around the world, a dear wife, daughter, sister and auntie.
Joan has spent her entire life giving and is truly one of the most kind-hearted and generous souls on this earth. Of course, as her daughter, I may seem a little biased, but I have witnessed the effect she has had on the children and families of the children she has taught over many years, and all the friends she has been there for and who's hearts she has touched.
In 2009 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she fought with a positive, confident approach, and at the end of 2014 was effectively given the all clear by the NHS team.
We were devastated to find out in September 2015 that her cancer had returned and spread to her bones and essentially crushed two major areas of the spine, causing excruciating pain, difficulty with movement and areas of lost feeling. She was told that with the severity of her cancer the hospital would only be able to offer her palliative treatment. She once again received radiotherapy and was told that surgery could be too risky with her fragile spine. With various drugs her pain has been stabilised, but her tumour markers continue to rise at a rapid pace, despite many additional efforts to slow the growths down (including diet, juicing and various additional forms of therapy).
In March we found out that the cancer had decided to spread itself around her body and latch onto other major organs, and more recently it has become speedier and more aggressive in its determination, and so with the stakes ever rising, it is time to try something new.
Mum is full of life, she has many years left to keep giving to those around her and will never allow the cancer to defeat her indomitable spirit. She has a lot of fight left in her, a determination so strong and positive, and an endless supply of love surrounding her. We are all determined to give her the life she deserves to keep on living.
If we can raise the funds needed we would like to carefully transport her to one of three possible clinics that offer a plethora of wonderful alternative cancer treatments, with a high success rate of helping to overcome terminal disease.
The decision as to which clinic she will go to will mainly depend on her strength and ability to travel, as one of them is as far away as Mexico, but a decision will be made imminently as we still await a few more results.
It goes without saying that any of these journeys alone prove a risk, but a risk that we feel sure will be worth the pay-off. It is vital that, with such a delicate broken back, we transport her to whichever clinic she chooses (Hungary, Switzerland or Mexico), in as much comfort as possible.
As conventional medicine doesn't appear to have much left to offer at this stage, we have been thorough in our research of alternative treatments, and unfortunately, as seems to be the way with such things, all potential life-saving routes seem to cost the earth and therefore dangle beyond our means.
We would be endlessly appreciative and deeply grateful for any kind donation that will help to make this active healing quest become possible. Even the impressionist artists knew how to create beautiful paintings one dot at a time!
I will keep this page updated with decisions, results etc. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Organisateur
Anna Holbek
Organisateur