Four words I never thought I’d have to say again: the cancer is back.
To be honest, I am tired. I am exhausted. And lately, my pain and discomfort have been increasing.
But I am still here.
And more than anything, I want my family and loved ones to know this:
I am doing everything I can to fight this.
I am facing my third recurrence of stage IV appendiceal cancer, which has now spread to my lungs and liver. After everything I’ve been through, the options have become more limited, and the road ahead feels uncertain.
There have been hospital stays, difficult treatments, and moments where I had to pause and just be present with the people I love. Through it all, I’ve tried to stay grounded in faith, love, and gratitude for the time I have.
When I reached out for more answers, I was told that surgery is no longer a curative option, and that treatment moving forward would be focused on managing the disease.
That was incredibly hard to hear.
So I turned to God. I placed everything in His hands and asked for guidance.
That’s when I felt called to reach out to Dr. John Paul Shen at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Shen is part of a leading team specializing in appendiceal cancers and complex metastatic disease, using advanced, team-based approaches when options become limited. Being seen there means my case will be reviewed by one of the top programs in the country for cases like mine.
I received confirmation that I would be seen by Dr. Shen and a full multidisciplinary team the week of May 20.
It felt like a door opening right when I needed it most.
How Your Support Will Help Me Keep Fighting
Your support will help me:
Get to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston
- Flights from Hawaii
- A place to stay during testing and appointments
- Transportation to and from the hospital
- Travel costs for a caregiver (I’m unable to travel alone)
- Ongoing treatments and follow-up care in Hawaii
- Medical costs not fully covered by insurance
- Copays, deductibles, and specialist visits
Support My Healing and Quality of Life
- Supplements and nutritional support
- Medications and therapies to manage side effects and pain
- Additional care if my condition changes
Create Stability During This Time
- Helping ease financial stress so I can focus on healing
I will need to leave Hilo on May 18 to arrive on Houston in time for testing before my appointments. The length of stay will depend on what doctors find and what treatment options are available.
This isn’t just about treatment.
It’s about hope.
It’s about time.
It’s about being able to say with my whole heart that I did everything I could.
I am a mother, a grandma, a wife, a friend. I love deeply. I believe in faith, in healing, in laughter, and in making the most of every day even the hard ones.
Every donation, every share, and every prayer truly means the world to me.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me take this next step and standing with me on this journey.
I’m not giving up. I’m giving this fight everything I have.
Mahalo nui loa, Napua C