Nancy's Brain Cancer Fight
Donation protected
Nancy was diagnosed with a Brain Tumor, on April 25th when we went to the Emergency at our local hospital after she was having severe headaches. She was admitted to the Hospital, and due to Covid-19, she was alone. I received a call from the Neurosurgeon telling me how sorry he was to give me the news, how rare it was for a younger women in good health to get the type of Cancer she has.
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most invasive type of glial tumor. These tumors tend to grow rapidly, spread to other tissue and have a poor prognosis. GBM is more common in people ages 50 to 70 and are more prevalent in men than women. The average prognosis is 12-15 months. All these big words are new to us, it is frightening, and we are learning quickly. This is the same type of Brain Cancer Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip had. This is how Dr. Kelly, Nancy's amazing Neurosurgeon explained it to us.
Our world changed with that phone call, I broke down, Our Son Gabriel and I couldn't go to the Hospital to be with Nancy, the hardest part was knowing she would be alone facing a very invasive brain surgery, Dr. Kelly couldn't tell us how successful the attempt at removing as much of the tumor would be, just that there would be small chances of Nancy being paralyzed, losing motor skills, memory loss and speech. Nancy lost most of the vision in her right eye due to the tumor, was having difficulties focusing and reading right before she went in.
Dr. Kelly explained a few options, just doing a biopsy and waiting for results and trying radiation and chemotherapy to help, or attempting the more riskier approach and trying to remove as much as possible, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Nancy chose to have surgery, and she was booked in to have the procedure the following Thursday.
The Staff at the Foothills Hospital were amazing, I was able to drop off Nancy's phone charger for her, and the Nurses set us up for Video Chats whenever possible. Dr. Kelly called the Wednesday evening, letting me know he would call as soon as he could on Thursday after the procedure, he was expecting it to take 12hrs, and it was close to that, hearing him say everything went according to his plan was reassuring, but hearing Nancy's voice on Friday evening was just the absolute best. I didn't sleep much that week, but I went to bed with a happy heart, and hope.
A week later, Nancy was allowed to come home, picking her up, hugging and kissing her was just too much, so much Joy at seeing her. We were giving a package with prescriptions, what to look out for and what to expect for the next round.
We picked Nancy up on Friday, and everything seemed like it was progressing as expected until Monday morning, we woke up, I took Nancy downstairs and ran back upstairs to grab my phone, I heard a huge bang and ran back down, Nancy was unconscious on the floor, I stabilized her and called 911, she came to in severe pain, the ambulance took her back to the Hospital, where we waited for results of a CT scan - the Dr. on duty called and said everything looked good, couldn't explain what happened and discharged her. I picked Nancy up late at night, we went to sleep after a meal. The next morning I was helping Nancy out of bed, and walking to our door when she lost consciousness again, I was already holding her when it happened, she came to fairly quickly, and wasn't complaining about the pain as much. We were told to see our family Dr, so in we went. They took her blood pressure and I noticed it was extremely low, this explained the fainting... we took it slow getting out of bed in the morning, having a few oranges, and it's been good since.
We had a few follow-up calls, got our first appointment with the Oncologist at Tom Baker Cancer Center a few days later, they explained the next steps for treatment, Dr. Lim recommended the most aggressive approach, 6 weeks of Radiation and Chemotherapy followed by a month off to recover, then back at it with Chemo and follow up.
It was suggested I started a GoFundMe page to help with finances, even though most of the treatments are covered, the financial burden moving forward isn't. I'll be taking a leave of absence at work to make sure Nancy is taken care of, and the future is uncertain. I hate to ask for help, but this is the best platform to ensure Gabriel and I can provide Nancy with everything she needs, with the time we have left with her. This would help with Palliative care when the time comes, this will help with additional treatment options, this would help alleviate the huge stresses that come with going through this process. Our neighbours, Family and friends have been invaluable so far, but there is only so much they can do as well.
We do not have any life insurance, extended benefits or anything for Nancy, she worked at Superstore, and the union only has benefits for 30 days since the last day worked, Nancy won't be able to work for the foreseeable future. I want to be able to give Nancy her best shot at being with Gabriel and I for as long as possible, I wish for many things, but time and comfort, for her with us. This has been the hardest thing I've ever done, and Nancy has been nothing but positive, loving, and just Nancy. She just amazes me every day, she doesn't complain about anything, is more worried about others and Loves us so much. Nancy wants to ensure Gabriel is taken care of, and he has an education fund set aside.
If you're able to help out, it would mean a tremendous amount to us, if not, please share. I'll be providing regular updates as much as I can. When Nancy is able to read and write again, she will be posting as she can.
Thank you all.
Nancy, Gabriel and Chris
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most invasive type of glial tumor. These tumors tend to grow rapidly, spread to other tissue and have a poor prognosis. GBM is more common in people ages 50 to 70 and are more prevalent in men than women. The average prognosis is 12-15 months. All these big words are new to us, it is frightening, and we are learning quickly. This is the same type of Brain Cancer Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip had. This is how Dr. Kelly, Nancy's amazing Neurosurgeon explained it to us.
Our world changed with that phone call, I broke down, Our Son Gabriel and I couldn't go to the Hospital to be with Nancy, the hardest part was knowing she would be alone facing a very invasive brain surgery, Dr. Kelly couldn't tell us how successful the attempt at removing as much of the tumor would be, just that there would be small chances of Nancy being paralyzed, losing motor skills, memory loss and speech. Nancy lost most of the vision in her right eye due to the tumor, was having difficulties focusing and reading right before she went in.
Dr. Kelly explained a few options, just doing a biopsy and waiting for results and trying radiation and chemotherapy to help, or attempting the more riskier approach and trying to remove as much as possible, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Nancy chose to have surgery, and she was booked in to have the procedure the following Thursday.
The Staff at the Foothills Hospital were amazing, I was able to drop off Nancy's phone charger for her, and the Nurses set us up for Video Chats whenever possible. Dr. Kelly called the Wednesday evening, letting me know he would call as soon as he could on Thursday after the procedure, he was expecting it to take 12hrs, and it was close to that, hearing him say everything went according to his plan was reassuring, but hearing Nancy's voice on Friday evening was just the absolute best. I didn't sleep much that week, but I went to bed with a happy heart, and hope.
A week later, Nancy was allowed to come home, picking her up, hugging and kissing her was just too much, so much Joy at seeing her. We were giving a package with prescriptions, what to look out for and what to expect for the next round.
We picked Nancy up on Friday, and everything seemed like it was progressing as expected until Monday morning, we woke up, I took Nancy downstairs and ran back upstairs to grab my phone, I heard a huge bang and ran back down, Nancy was unconscious on the floor, I stabilized her and called 911, she came to in severe pain, the ambulance took her back to the Hospital, where we waited for results of a CT scan - the Dr. on duty called and said everything looked good, couldn't explain what happened and discharged her. I picked Nancy up late at night, we went to sleep after a meal. The next morning I was helping Nancy out of bed, and walking to our door when she lost consciousness again, I was already holding her when it happened, she came to fairly quickly, and wasn't complaining about the pain as much. We were told to see our family Dr, so in we went. They took her blood pressure and I noticed it was extremely low, this explained the fainting... we took it slow getting out of bed in the morning, having a few oranges, and it's been good since.
We had a few follow-up calls, got our first appointment with the Oncologist at Tom Baker Cancer Center a few days later, they explained the next steps for treatment, Dr. Lim recommended the most aggressive approach, 6 weeks of Radiation and Chemotherapy followed by a month off to recover, then back at it with Chemo and follow up.
It was suggested I started a GoFundMe page to help with finances, even though most of the treatments are covered, the financial burden moving forward isn't. I'll be taking a leave of absence at work to make sure Nancy is taken care of, and the future is uncertain. I hate to ask for help, but this is the best platform to ensure Gabriel and I can provide Nancy with everything she needs, with the time we have left with her. This would help with Palliative care when the time comes, this will help with additional treatment options, this would help alleviate the huge stresses that come with going through this process. Our neighbours, Family and friends have been invaluable so far, but there is only so much they can do as well.
We do not have any life insurance, extended benefits or anything for Nancy, she worked at Superstore, and the union only has benefits for 30 days since the last day worked, Nancy won't be able to work for the foreseeable future. I want to be able to give Nancy her best shot at being with Gabriel and I for as long as possible, I wish for many things, but time and comfort, for her with us. This has been the hardest thing I've ever done, and Nancy has been nothing but positive, loving, and just Nancy. She just amazes me every day, she doesn't complain about anything, is more worried about others and Loves us so much. Nancy wants to ensure Gabriel is taken care of, and he has an education fund set aside.
If you're able to help out, it would mean a tremendous amount to us, if not, please share. I'll be providing regular updates as much as I can. When Nancy is able to read and write again, she will be posting as she can.
Thank you all.
Nancy, Gabriel and Chris
Organizer
Chris MacLean
Organizer
Calgary, AB
