Shari's Cancer Story

Shari was recently diagnosed with Stage 4A cervical cancer. Stage 4A cervical cancer means that the cancer has spread to local organs. The “A” classifies this type of cancer as aggressive. 

Currently, the cancer is seen to be 6cm in mass and has spread to her ureter and bladder. The ureter is where the doctors initially discovered the cancer. The cancer is also at high risk of spreading towards the vagina and rectum area. 

Shari has been in and out of the hospital since August undergoing a variety of different tests and surgeries. Initially, there was a stent set into the bottom of her kidney to open up the pathway to her ureter and allow for what they believed was kidney stones to pass through. Of all days, this surgery was scheduled on her 45th birthday. There was so much blockage that the doctors weren’t able to perform a proper biopsy, so Shari returned to the hospital a few weeks later to have a new stent put in as well as a biopsy of the ureter. After anxiously awaiting the results from the biopsy, they found cancer clustered at the bottom of the ureter near the opening to the bladder. 

Shari was put on the emergency surgery list and 2 days later, was back at the hospital to undergo another surgery. In this surgery, the goals were to try and remove some of the cancer, relocate the ureter to the top of the bladder and run a biopsy on her bladder and cervix. That was when the doctors found the cancerous mass located in her cervix. 

As Kamloops, Shari’s home, does not have a cancer center, she was referred to the Cancer Agency in Kelowna, BC where they completed further testing to determine her cancer diagnosis and treatment plan. Shari will undergo 7 weeks of daily treatment consisting of radiation and chemotherapy. This cancer is aggressive, so treatment is set to start immediately, December 2nd, and through the new year. As a family, we have decided that it is essential for Shari to be living in Kelowna during her treatment, so that she does not have to travel 4 hours daily.

On top of the emotional and physical pain, this nightmare has been a financial burden for Shari and our family. She has worked as a cashier at the Superstore for 19 years, and rarely ever missed a shift. Shari was in such rough shape, that she could not continue working, and had to resort to medical employment insurance. Since then, her employment insurance has ended.  Now that she is on a permanent leave of absence, her benefit plan has been cancelled, leaving her with no coverage for any medications or treatments. 

Shari has been very strong, but scared throughout this process. She is one of the kindest, loving and caring people you will ever meet.  Shari is a mother, wife, daughter, Auntie, Nanni, and friend. We all love her very much and just want to see her get better.

Today, we are reaching out in search of help to cover the overwhelming costs of accommodation, travel, prescriptions, mental health care and naturopathic care, which is proving to be too much for our family.

All funds donated will go directly to Shari to aid in the costs associated with her cancer treatment plan.

Shari, and our family, wholeheartedly appreciate every bit of love and support.
Our gratitude cannot be described in words.

Sincerely,
Shari and family