Support Marsha's Cancer and Stroke Recovery Journey

Hi! My name is Marsha Tolentino. In the last 7 years, I have had my share of two major medical issues... Colon Cancer and more recently, a Stroke. (I won't mention the smaller issues here.)

Praise and Thanks be to God that I've been classified as "no active cancer" for almost 6 years now. The journey doesn't end though. The blood tests, scans and oncology visits still continue every 3 to 6 months.

On January 28th, 2025, I went to the ER because I stayed home from work for 2 days, couldn't regain energy, was a bit dizzy and my BP was high. They were going to send me home. I asked them how to fix my handwriting because I couldn't read my own journal entry. Long story short, they found a brain bleed, which was then eventually classified as a Stroke. Next thing I know, I am being brought back in to the ER with a doctor and a nurse putting an Arterial line and IV lines in both my arms. I was in the hospital for 7 days.

Last I counted, I went to 24 medically related appointments in 7 weeks. I started with a follow up to my Primary doctor, Cardiologist, Neurologist, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, CT scans and getting bloodwork. I'm still waiting to do another MRI, Lexiscan, and then another CT scan, plus whatever they want me to do after those test results. I also have follow ups with my oncologist and gastroenterologist. It's a lot!

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to work (in the field) or even online because my brain could only handle so much. I have been building up my strength and stamina. I tell my myself and my body that we're getting better each and every day... even on the days where I feel like we went backwards a bit. Just moving forward. It's kind of weird when you feel like one side of your body is not balanced with the other. Then when I ask people, they say I look perfectly fine. The outside is great but the inside needs to catch up. I have been told that it could take anywhere from 6 months to years before my brain and body go back to normal... or maybe this is my new normal.

Your donations go towards my healing journey... the hospital bills started coming. The everyday living expenses don't stop. I'd like to continue eating healthy food and take supplements that will clean my system and keep my blood clean and flowing. There are also tools used in occupational therapy that I'd like to use at home.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me. Please continue to do so. Thank you to everyone who helped me with rides to my appointments when I couldn't drive. Thanks to those who visited me in the hospital. Thanks to those that made me food and/or brought me food. Thank you to my family and friends who kept me laughing in person or on the phone, keeping my spirits up. You all have made the stroke journey so much better. Special Shout outs to ones that already helped me without me even asking. I am forever grateful. This may sound crazy but my cancer journey was soooooo much easier than my stroke journey.

Friends and Family, any amount helps. If you aren't in the position to give, please share this with whom you feel should see it. There is a blessing to come from being a survivor of these issues and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Thank you in advance for being part of my healing journey.