Let's make Brenda smile again!

My sister Brenda has been diagnosed with head & neck cancer. She lives a modest and humble life, without private insurance, and I'm raising funds to help support her recovery. Brenda has remained quiet on her journey but we now need support. I will use all funds raised to purchase the items she needs while at home. ex: kangaroo packs, IV pole, feed for tubes, syringes, gauze pads, prescriptions, supplements, cleaning supplies, rehab, physio, etc etc. I will connect with volunteer groups to see what they can provide but until then, I need to get the ball running.

The amount of pain Brenda is experiencing, didn't allow for her to travel by car to Halifax for her treatment, so the family arranged to have EHS Lifeflight fly her up 3 weeks ago. She was staying with me until her surgery date but her health declined quickly and was admitted into the hospital. It's been up & down and she still feels horrible. Her mouth and throat are now raw and open to the bone.

Upon being admitted she underwent a procedure where a G tube was inserted into her stomach, making it possible for her to receive medications and liquid feed (she is still not able to swallow or use her mouth). Her cancer has taken over the left side of her head and neck, including a major tumour in her left cheek, down her neck, around the back of her head/under her skull, wrapped around both jaw hinges and in a lymph node. It is infringing on her throat and wanting to travel down her back.

Thankfully, her medical team still deems it operable. But it is a massive surgery. She will have bone taken from her fibia to be used in rebuilding her upper/lower jaw; tissue from her leg/arm will be used as a graft to repair what is left in her mouth (after tumour is removed). A number of teeth will need to be removed during the surgery so there will be dental work afterwards. Her surgery is scheduled for March 18th and is expected to take 10 hours. They anticipate her to stay in the hospital a few weeks. Radiation is also on the horizon.

Rehab will consist of getting her leg moving again, learning to chew and swallow again, work on digesting normally....hopefully while the pain begins to subside and being cancer free!

I have been off work for a month and continue to be until she is well enough to go home. As mentioned, I will use all funds to support her health: supplies, her travel to/from appointments (expect she will need to go back to Hfx), physio/rehab appointments and anything that helps her acclimate to her new life.

Monetary support is greatly appreciated, but also kind words and support for when she is back in Glace Bay. She'll need help with running errands, getting to appointments or even an ear to listen/text back & forth. She didn't hesitate when the doctor mentioned this huge surgery, complete with facial scars. She wants to be here! She's all in! She's fearless but needs help.