My dear and beloved friends,

Well, those of you who know me, know that when I decide to do something, I like to take the bull by the horns. Those who are reading this and don’t know me, might know someone like me or can relate. My friends, it looks like I am up to facing the biggest, most daunting challenge of my life.

Earlier this year (January, 2023), some suspect symptoms forced Richard to get me to a hospital. At first, it was thought to be a mild stroke, which after testing was shortly ruled out. An MRI was the next logical step in determining what was going on. Nothing would have prepared me for the results of that MRI, which were accompanied by the doctor’s words: “You have brain cancer”. Not just ‘brain cancer’, but the most fast-growing and aggressive form of brain cancer, Glioblastoma. If you recall Gordon Downie, the beloved Canadian frontman for the band The Tragically Hip, succumbed to the same form of cancer. Needless to say, it was a moment of dread, fear, confusion and despair. How and why is this happening? I made a life out of healing people’s ailing bodies, now here I am, facing one of the worst health outcomes I could imagine.

Things moved quickly, and I was in surgery the next day, where I had the bulk of the tumor removed. This has been followed with chemo and radiation, the usual treatment that we’ve all come to know and hate. Richard is working feverishly to provide the best nutrients, supplements and natural therapies to help with my immune system during this time of chemotherapy. It has been a whirlwind of research, consultation, tears and exhaustion.

However, in all of this, there is hope. More and more research is becoming apparent on viable treatments, and successful therapies in this dark world of Glioblastoma. We even had relatives from Germany reach out; and that is where we learned of the clinic at Essen University. Hope. Real hope.

Without going into too much boring detail, the clinic admits patients only after a thorough interview process, which is required to do so in person. The team will then determine the viability of the therapy for me, and things move on from there.

As this is happening outside of Canada’s borders, let alone the continent, there are significant expenses that would need to be covered, which our Canadian medical system will not accommodate. Expenses such as the flights, the accommodation, living expenses while there (several weeks or more), plus the whole unsubsidized cost for treatment. It’s in the high tens of thousands, at best, but more likely in the six figures. Initially, just the bare cost will be about 90,000 Euros (which is over $100,000 CDN). Richard and I are living off of what we have as contingency funds and savings, as I have been unable to run the business (and subsequently had to close it down), and Richard is so taxed at running everything else and ensuring I am cared for in every way; he has had to put his career aside for the past several months, and even when he finds time to work in his studio, instead of soothing music, he is listening to various lectures and forums about this disease.

There is hope. I don’t want to leave this life yet. I’m relatively young. There are so many more memories I want to make, so many more goals, so many friends to see and spend time with. I have my husband, my mum and dad, my sister, my nieces, my furry babies. I’m not done yet. I hate this hand I have been dealt, but I vow that I will not give in!

Yet, one can have all the hope in the world, but if the mechanism is not there to facilitate fulfilling that hope, the chances are dimmed.

So here I am.

I am in a place that I never thought I would be in. I am turning to all of you who know me, or even those who do not know me. It will take the kindness of friends and strangers to help me afford what I need to survive and beat this. Thus I am reaching out for financial help. It’s not easy for me to come to this point, but it is the reality that I am faced with. Please consider giving, as no amount is too small. These are difficult times for all when it comes to affordability, so I know how difficult this is for everyone. If you can, please spread the word within your circle, and beyond. In addition to this, please remember me prayerfully, if that’s part of your faith, and/or send out good and positive vibrations to the universe. I will gladly accept all that is good and loving.

All of this I say and ask in the utmost urgency. The greatest luxury I do not have is time; due to the aggressive nature of this kind of cancer, my chances lessen by the day, exponentially.

Thanks for taking the time to read about my latest chapter. We look forward to happier ones ahead. I and Richard send you all our love, and thankfulness.