Traveling Love & Light for Cancer Care
Donation protected
Preparing for life saving treatment in NY
Hey y’all, this is Laurie’s friend Elizabeth. Back again to help Laurie & Bear along their journey to find treatment for Bear. Please consider joining me to support Bear’s life-giving trip Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NY. where they hope to find treatment for Bear’s Melanoma Cancer. Let’s help them Travel Light next week!
Laurie has launched a Spirit Doll Sale to help raise funds for this vital trip. However, I asked her to allow all of us to support her during these times of medical uncertainty for her husband, whom we all know as Bear.
You can purchase a doll HERE
With new Covid Travel Rules and Requirements, this trip is out of reach. To ensure Bear has this opportunity, we’re reaching out to the community in this way to get them the help they need quickly.
The short story is that Laurie and Bear have recently moved Bear’s care up to UVA in Charlottesville. This has been a huge blessing and the care is phenomenal. However, Bear’s Melanoma is very complex. Undergoing continuous surgeries and biopsies, the surgeon has still not been able to find clear margins. Thankfully Laurie prompted the team at UVA to look into new technology and imagery to assist in Mole Mapping. This has led to Bear being accepted as a patient at Sloan Kettering where he is expected to enter a study. MSK has cutting edge research and imagery that allows cancer cells to be seen without the need for biopsy or pathology.
Finally! The doctors will know the full extent of this cancer and hopefully be able to remove all of the cells before his life becomes critically at risk. In addition, the testing and research at MSK will open doors for immunotherapy treatments and other treatments not offered at UVA.
As you can probably imagine, the challenges of travelling frequently for care have stretched them. Now with this trip to NY on Dec 4th, the pandemic, Travel Restrictions and Rules and high costs in NY; at this point there is no possible way for them to do all that is needed for the trip.
They need help right now to cover the costs of a residence-style hotel stay, food, gas and a rapid Covid test not covered by insurance before they leave. Dec 4th.
Laurie and Bear have lived their lives on the mountain with their beloved Appalachian Plants. They have carried this knowledge and love forward to many of us. (Find out more at www.bearalchemy.com) If you are called, please enter into this exchange with them in love and gratitude for all they have shared with us and for the life-giving relationships they nurture with the plants.
If you want more details about their recent journey, please read on! There is also a note from Laurie.
As many in the community know Laurie found out last year, while at the Good Medicine Confluence, that her husband Bear has Melanoma Cancer. Since then Bear and Laurie have been on a long journey to stay ahead of the cancer. After several Mohs procedures to remove invasive growths and three operating room trips, the dermatology doctors they were working with had no answers or desire to send Bear to an oncology clinic.
In March, Laurie called UVA for a second opinion. Since transferring to their care, it’s been a whirlwind of appointments, surgeries, tumor boards and more. Unfortunately, Laurie and Bear began this journey as Covid 19 was taking its grip.
Needless to say it’s been a rough four months. Thankfully UVA is a top notch health care facility. In four short months they have discovered more about Bear’s specific case then during a year of care at their regional hospital & dermatology clinic. And now their team at UVA has navigated a lot of red tape to send Bear on to the top Melanoma Specialist in the Nation, Dr. Marchetti at MSK in New York.
They didn’t drag their feet and their appointments are scheduled for Dec 7-9th. A new tumor board, more testing and an afternoon of consultation. With the current state of Melanoma cells that has been found on the last pathology, they are already planning on surgery in NY in the very near future.
As you can imagine, traveling for health care is taxing both mentally and financially. And with Covid 19 still gripping the nation, the strain is only magnified. For instance, with the new Covid Rules in New York, Laurie and Bear are being required to take a rapid Covid test no sooner than two days before traveling. Unfortunately, VA does not see this as medically necessary and the test will not be free.
For four months they have carried the burden of traveling for appointments, testing and surgery. Like many of us, Laurie’s work and events have been cancelled, so she has been able to focus on Bear’s health. This is helpful in one way, but again, as many of us know, the financial strains of this time are real.
So at this moment, let’s rise up in a web of interconnectivity to support them for this long week ahead. Our support will cushion the stress of a week of appointments and surgery, plus soften the gravity of information they doctors have for them this week. We can offer Laurie and Bear the peace and security of having these financial costs covered.
Any amount of support is helpful! $1 or $5 or $20 or $100 ---- all of us joining together as we are able --- and it won’t take long for us to cover these costs for them.
Here are the details of the expenses:
$829 for 5 nights in a residence-style hotel with a full kitchen where they can cook and prepare good nourishing foods.
$300 for food. (Laurie can place an order with Mortain William Supermarket and have it delivered right to the hotel to cook right near the hotel.)
$279 Covid 19 Rapid Test not covered by Insurance.
$80 for gofundme platform fees
$120 for incidental expenses related to travel/to give them a little breathing room
If you wish, you can also support Laurie and Bear directly via paypal: paypal.me/SupportLaurie
Also stop by her website and support their trip by purchasing a Plant Spirit Doll or Felted Acorns for you Holidays .
A word from Laurie …
Life is a true journey and it changes during different seasons of life. Sometimes the journey takes you through green fields and lush streams, sometimes the path goes up hill. At times there is rain, floods and rock slides that totally change your course. There are times we seem to float along in the clouds and others when the burdens of the load make even the little bumps throw you off balance. This is life and no one’s journey through it is always easy. But when we look back it’s not the struggles that we remember, it’s our reactions and the outcomes that tend to stick in our heads.
As I walk this path and face the darkest of outcomes, I stand firm and still. Knowing that this journey is for a moment in time. I find comfort in the hollers and sit as one with the Ancestors. Wisdom and Guidance I find in every step!
I humbly thank each of you for supporting and helping us to find peace and grounding during this season of life. The space you are setting and the energy you are sending; the nutrition and herbal help that I have the proof of is helping Bear’s body fight; the nourishment of spirit and essence you give me….. I can’t thank you enough for surrounding us during this journey. Years from now when I look back and reflect on this part of our life together it’s the love and support of so many that I will remember. “Thank you” seems like not enough to say, yet it carries with it a depth of love and gratitude that I hope each of you can feel in your hearts.
I have a lot to share about the journey so far and as soon as I can I’ll update everyone. It's just so very hard to find the words and not cry. Please know that I do feel your intentions and Spirit is working it’s magic. I feel my feet on the ground and the Mountain is providing its medicine.
Big HUGS Laurie
Hey y’all, this is Laurie’s friend Elizabeth. Back again to help Laurie & Bear along their journey to find treatment for Bear. Please consider joining me to support Bear’s life-giving trip Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NY. where they hope to find treatment for Bear’s Melanoma Cancer. Let’s help them Travel Light next week!
Laurie has launched a Spirit Doll Sale to help raise funds for this vital trip. However, I asked her to allow all of us to support her during these times of medical uncertainty for her husband, whom we all know as Bear.
You can purchase a doll HERE
With new Covid Travel Rules and Requirements, this trip is out of reach. To ensure Bear has this opportunity, we’re reaching out to the community in this way to get them the help they need quickly.
The short story is that Laurie and Bear have recently moved Bear’s care up to UVA in Charlottesville. This has been a huge blessing and the care is phenomenal. However, Bear’s Melanoma is very complex. Undergoing continuous surgeries and biopsies, the surgeon has still not been able to find clear margins. Thankfully Laurie prompted the team at UVA to look into new technology and imagery to assist in Mole Mapping. This has led to Bear being accepted as a patient at Sloan Kettering where he is expected to enter a study. MSK has cutting edge research and imagery that allows cancer cells to be seen without the need for biopsy or pathology.
Finally! The doctors will know the full extent of this cancer and hopefully be able to remove all of the cells before his life becomes critically at risk. In addition, the testing and research at MSK will open doors for immunotherapy treatments and other treatments not offered at UVA.
As you can probably imagine, the challenges of travelling frequently for care have stretched them. Now with this trip to NY on Dec 4th, the pandemic, Travel Restrictions and Rules and high costs in NY; at this point there is no possible way for them to do all that is needed for the trip.
They need help right now to cover the costs of a residence-style hotel stay, food, gas and a rapid Covid test not covered by insurance before they leave. Dec 4th.
Laurie and Bear have lived their lives on the mountain with their beloved Appalachian Plants. They have carried this knowledge and love forward to many of us. (Find out more at www.bearalchemy.com) If you are called, please enter into this exchange with them in love and gratitude for all they have shared with us and for the life-giving relationships they nurture with the plants.
If you want more details about their recent journey, please read on! There is also a note from Laurie.
As many in the community know Laurie found out last year, while at the Good Medicine Confluence, that her husband Bear has Melanoma Cancer. Since then Bear and Laurie have been on a long journey to stay ahead of the cancer. After several Mohs procedures to remove invasive growths and three operating room trips, the dermatology doctors they were working with had no answers or desire to send Bear to an oncology clinic.
In March, Laurie called UVA for a second opinion. Since transferring to their care, it’s been a whirlwind of appointments, surgeries, tumor boards and more. Unfortunately, Laurie and Bear began this journey as Covid 19 was taking its grip.
Needless to say it’s been a rough four months. Thankfully UVA is a top notch health care facility. In four short months they have discovered more about Bear’s specific case then during a year of care at their regional hospital & dermatology clinic. And now their team at UVA has navigated a lot of red tape to send Bear on to the top Melanoma Specialist in the Nation, Dr. Marchetti at MSK in New York.
They didn’t drag their feet and their appointments are scheduled for Dec 7-9th. A new tumor board, more testing and an afternoon of consultation. With the current state of Melanoma cells that has been found on the last pathology, they are already planning on surgery in NY in the very near future.
As you can imagine, traveling for health care is taxing both mentally and financially. And with Covid 19 still gripping the nation, the strain is only magnified. For instance, with the new Covid Rules in New York, Laurie and Bear are being required to take a rapid Covid test no sooner than two days before traveling. Unfortunately, VA does not see this as medically necessary and the test will not be free.
For four months they have carried the burden of traveling for appointments, testing and surgery. Like many of us, Laurie’s work and events have been cancelled, so she has been able to focus on Bear’s health. This is helpful in one way, but again, as many of us know, the financial strains of this time are real.
So at this moment, let’s rise up in a web of interconnectivity to support them for this long week ahead. Our support will cushion the stress of a week of appointments and surgery, plus soften the gravity of information they doctors have for them this week. We can offer Laurie and Bear the peace and security of having these financial costs covered.
Any amount of support is helpful! $1 or $5 or $20 or $100 ---- all of us joining together as we are able --- and it won’t take long for us to cover these costs for them.
Here are the details of the expenses:
$829 for 5 nights in a residence-style hotel with a full kitchen where they can cook and prepare good nourishing foods.
$300 for food. (Laurie can place an order with Mortain William Supermarket and have it delivered right to the hotel to cook right near the hotel.)
$279 Covid 19 Rapid Test not covered by Insurance.
$80 for gofundme platform fees
$120 for incidental expenses related to travel/to give them a little breathing room
If you wish, you can also support Laurie and Bear directly via paypal: paypal.me/SupportLaurie
Also stop by her website and support their trip by purchasing a Plant Spirit Doll or Felted Acorns for you Holidays .
A word from Laurie …
Life is a true journey and it changes during different seasons of life. Sometimes the journey takes you through green fields and lush streams, sometimes the path goes up hill. At times there is rain, floods and rock slides that totally change your course. There are times we seem to float along in the clouds and others when the burdens of the load make even the little bumps throw you off balance. This is life and no one’s journey through it is always easy. But when we look back it’s not the struggles that we remember, it’s our reactions and the outcomes that tend to stick in our heads.
As I walk this path and face the darkest of outcomes, I stand firm and still. Knowing that this journey is for a moment in time. I find comfort in the hollers and sit as one with the Ancestors. Wisdom and Guidance I find in every step!
I humbly thank each of you for supporting and helping us to find peace and grounding during this season of life. The space you are setting and the energy you are sending; the nutrition and herbal help that I have the proof of is helping Bear’s body fight; the nourishment of spirit and essence you give me….. I can’t thank you enough for surrounding us during this journey. Years from now when I look back and reflect on this part of our life together it’s the love and support of so many that I will remember. “Thank you” seems like not enough to say, yet it carries with it a depth of love and gratitude that I hope each of you can feel in your hearts.
I have a lot to share about the journey so far and as soon as I can I’ll update everyone. It's just so very hard to find the words and not cry. Please know that I do feel your intentions and Spirit is working it’s magic. I feel my feet on the ground and the Mountain is providing its medicine.
Big HUGS Laurie
Organizer
Laura Quesinberry
Organizer
Laurel Fork, VA
