PRECIOUS TIME

For Joline, our inspiration.

Nearly four years ago, our daughter Joline Marie was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer, epitheliod sarcoma. A cancerous tumor that grows roots and spreads if not caught in its early stages. Unfortunately, the one in Joline went undetected in her lower abdomen for nearly two years and spread into her lungs. At the time of the surgery she was 13, as it was approximately the size of a grapefruit. In an attempt to save her rectum before surgery, Joline underwent 25 sessions of radiation and had an ovary removed for cryopreservation , (she was the first for this procedure in western Canada, and first in B.C history) as the radiation would cause sterility. A 14 hour surgery to remove the tumor, reconstruct the void left behind with stomach muscles and leave her with an illiostomy as the drs could not save her rectum. Chemotherapy was tried, she lost her hair, suffered through the nausea and pain. A short time after recovering from surgery, radiation and chemo, tumors began growing in her lungs, more sessions of radiation for one and cryoablation for another in an attempt to kill the tumors. Joline was also diagnosed with LVI, Lymphovascular Invasion.

Joline was able to try a new, experimental chemo drug called Tazvarek from the US on compassionate grounds. This did give her stable scans and minimal tumor growth...for about 8 months. Unfortunately late last year, a new tumor appeared on her pancreas and spleen. Another surgery in January removed it, along with half her pancreas and all of her spleen. 10 procedures/surgeries in total. This summer the scans showed a new tumor in her stomach and only two months later it started bleeding and was admitted back into BCCH. Joline was given three options: surgery, radiation or do nothing at all. Joline has to comprehend being told there is no cure, all options at this stage are for quality of life and not to save her. The tumors in her lungs, near her last surgery, near a kidney and elsewhere have grown and has become highly aggressive. The Dr's have informed mom and dad she is looking at months not years for survival. Joline has chosen for radiation to stop the bleeding as surgery is such high risk for complications during surgery and during healing, a result of previous surgery and radiation in the same area. As of late August, radiation treatments have started and gets us to today. Joline has such a zest for life, loves animals, music, opera, flying, culture and of course her art….and steam trains!! She was in the make a wish program and her wish was to go to Japan with mom, dad and brother. Unfortunately it was the time of covid and Japan was off the table due to the travel restrictions. Japan is still there, Joline is still here! Our family is reliant on one income as mom stays home to help Joline, we would not have enough time to save for Japan. Joline needs to live while she still can. Her wish is to travel, see Japan and drive the roads of north America with her family. Through it all, her love for life and literally living are an inspiration for us and so many following her journey. Time is precious, and we are hoping to fulfill as many dreams for her as possible.

Every second is a gift. Cherish every one. ♥️

Meow

Monies will help dad to take some time off to spend with family and to help with Jolines medical supplies.