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Cancer Wishes-Regina Wooden-Fincher
Beloved friends and family, I am literally fighting for my life and I need your help:-).
In January of 2016, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer which had metastasized to my lymph nodes, liver, stomach lining, lung lining, etc...
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As an update to those who have been following my journey:
I started chemotherapy immediately upon diagnosis last year and the initial set (cocktail) of medications worked for the first 10 months. Late last year, my body became resistant to that course of drugs and the tumors began to grow again. Sometime in February of this year, I began a more aggressive regimen of chemotherapy. This treatment plan worked for a few months and unfortunately now, the tumors are becoming resistant to the 2nd course of chemotherapy drugs and are growing once again. I am told that I have only one treatment option left, which the stubborn warrior in me is incapable of accepting.......
Coming with high recommendation and praise from two personal acquaintances regarding their ‘total’ care approach, I decided to reach out to The Cancer Treatment Centers of America and found out that the fee (for those patients who don't carry their acceptable insurance) is $15,000.00 for a multiple day, full diagnostic and consultation. I am hoping that CTCA has the technology that may better suit my specific situation so that I will actually have a better chance with them to completely eradicate all of these tumors out of my body!
The nearest CTCA facility is in Phoenix, Arizona. Hitting my goal would not only get me to the consult that I am putting my life's hopes into, but it will also allow me to assist with the expense of having as many of my 4 children attend the consultation as possible. That would mean the world to me. *********************************************************
Cancer notwithstanding, there is still work to be done! Complacency has never been my strong suit, so I’ve maintained sanity by focusing on a goal: which came from a plan, all started from hope that was generated by a dream. I humbly pledge to keep fighting as hard and as I can! I have way too much left to accomplish!
So I have started a campaign entitled the 'E-Revolution'. This movement will encompass several small projects releasing at different phases so that I can realistically ensemble the right fellow warriors to join my cause. The “E” stands for ERADICATION as in cancer has to go! This movement will include the implementation of goals very dear to my heart such as:
*The creation of a website which will feature cancer awareness related (amongst other) items for purchase. This is my part to help increase my resource flow. Some of the proceeds earned will be used to provide expense assistance for my attending refresher/continued education opportunities for becoming a certified life coach. The end goal is that I will be able to update the previous skill set(s) from my 30+ years in the various capacities that I held in the workforce, as I now venture into creating my own empowerment workshop. I have a specific demographic in mind that I'd like to begin with. See below (and more details to follow).
*The creation of an empowerment workshop, using my life's personal and professional journey as a template to hopefully spread some encouragement to those who feel as if they have no hope. This feeling can affect any of us, however my initial target demographic will be those who have limited economic resources; specifically occupants of homeless/women’s shelters, group homes, youth service groups, etc. I plan to use some funds if my goal is achieved to help in the costs of providing the workshop totally free of charge to those entities as well as to be able to bring light snacks for the participants.
*The dedication of specific time with limited economic worry so that I can focus and do the research needed to complete my fiction/non-fiction chronicles. I would like to bring it to print form fruition. Boy, do I have a testimony to share with you!
*The implementation of several taped PSA’s to spread my agenda regarding the state of cancer care in America, with focus on bringing a more heightened awareness to the calamity of cancer and what you, I, WE can do to strongly encourage the passage of legislation needed to make finding a cure for all cancers a PRIORITY! Cancer could care less where your ancestors came from or what your net worth is. This is something that we ALL share in common. Even though there are a lot of foundations out there who receive countless dollars for ‘cancer research’, more needs to be done to assist the living who are still fighting to stay alive! Being able to access and receive AFFORDABLE health care during a terminal illness would help the affected focus more on their health and not their dwindling pocketbook! I have been much dismayed at the lack of tangible resources for someone in my predicament: living on a fixed income, yet not considered 'broke' enough for a lot of social programs. The system has been a catch 22 every way that I've turned. If I am experiencing this frustration, then I am sure that others are as well.
Since I still have the strength, it is incumbent upon me to help fight for those who can't! Extra economic strain causes a lot of emotional anguish and is not conducive for recovery. With a little help from a few of my friends and family members with these PSA's, my views will hopefully resonate with some of you. I plan to spread my message, using the arts as a muse (stay tuned)!
*The planning of a gala/ life-celebration (to be held towards the end of the year) where I would be able to invite ALL of the people that I want! Over 30+years, I've had the opportunity to meet and bond with some really cool people!I Some that I've had the pleasure of working with, living by, going to school with, seeing grow up, etc., etc.! And don't even mention my large extended family! As such, there is NO way that I would be able to host such a large group.
This does not even include the number of people in my extended family! I hope to have the adequate proceeds to put towards the cost of hosting such an event for a large group, which of course includes a whole lot of you! I didn't want to have to charge for tickets (to cover food/venue costs), so having a cushion will allow me to find a reasonably priced, yet suitable venue central to the Bay Area. I'd like to be able to invite a whole lot of people such as those who I am related to, been a neighbor to, a classmate to, co-worker with or met by an other strong acquaintance! I would love to have the function somewhere most central between Sacramento and the Bay Area (such as the Benicia through Vacaville corridor). More details on this depending on response.
ANY donation to this account, as well as any purchase from www.oreaacache.com, will be used to help me make the above mission /dreams come true.
Of which, I give to you my sincere thanks in advance,
G-Lynn