Help Angie to beat Cancer Curveball #3

#CURVEBALL 2 STORY

Earlier this year we archived this GofundMe, life was starting to move forward for Angie and with her feeling and looking well 2020 was going to be a much better year. 

Sadly, that belief has come to a halt as Angie embarks on Beating Cancer Curveball #2.

She found out late last week that the bowel cancer is back and there is also cancer located on her ovaries and stomach lining. As she said to me "my cancer is back and it's not good". And she is planning on fighting it with every single ounce that she has in her because she's not giving in and she has the best reason in the world to go to battle again - Oscar. 

Seeing her surgeon today, the plan is as follows:
- Portacath day surgery this afternoon (Monday 23/3/2020)
- 6 cycles of chemo (different to last one and likely to make her unwell quickly), the first dose may be as soon as this Friday
- Major surgery to occur in June/July to take out her ovaries, tubes etc (hysterectomy)

Her chemo is being done in Wollongong and surgery will be at RPA in Sydney. 

With all that is going on in the world right now, the aim is to keep Angie safe as she will have zero immune system. She's being realistic that this is going to be hard and she's not giving up.

As we've reminded her, even when the odds are crappy SOMEONE has to make up that number that defies the odds and we know that Angie is going to do all she can to be that. 

When I spoke to Angie about re-opening this GofundMe in her usual humble self she told me that she felt bad asking for help again, especially when things are so trying for many right now. I assured her that there are people who will want to help and can and hence she's agreed. 

We had such a phenomenal support for Angie last time and we're hoping that those that can help out financially will do to ease a little of the burden for her and Oscar. 

With most of us having to isolate, practical things such as money, food deliveries and things for Oscar are the best way to assist. 

We will keep you updated as we can and I know all the love and messages will be greatly appreciated by her while she's in lockdown fighting this. 

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. 
Angie's Village xx 



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#CURVEBALL 1 STORY
On Saturday 4th May, Angie was admitted to Wollongong Hospital as an emergency case. She had been having testing done in the weeks previous for abdominal issues, although nothing was showing in the results. 

After being admitted to hospital Angie underwent surgery on the Sunday morning having a large mass and part of her bowel removed and a stoma made.  As you can imagine, it was a  big (unexpected) operation and Angie had been awaiting the results of the mass - on Thursday 16th May she was informed it was bowel cancer. 

The surgeon is confident that she removed all the cancer during the operation however chemotherapy will be undertaken as a precautionary measure, with hopes to have Angie start this in around 6 weeks time. 

She has undergone a second minor procedure on 20th May to remove fluid build up that was causing pain post the first surgery. 

For those that know Angie and Oscar, I think it's best to share her words here:

"CURVEBALLS IN LIFE

In his first 5 years of life Oscar has been thrown some curveballs! Now I have just been handed down one as well. Aged 44 and I have just been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Whilst the major surgery went well now is my time to fight. For those that know me I am a fighter and this boy needs his mum and I need him.

A huge THANK YOU to my ‘Village’ of friends 

I can’t believe how lucky I am.

A huge THANK YOU to my dad Bob Howes , words cannot express how lucky I am to have you.

Wish me luck kicking this out of the park!"

For those who don't know her as well, Angie has a son Oscar, who is her world. If anything will motivate her to fight through the path ahead and be back to health and wellness again, seeing Oscar's face each day is doing that. Angie's amazing dad flew in the day of her surgery and Oscar has been having some special "Pa" time while Ang is in hospital. Plans for his care and Angie's in the months ahead are coming together so they can be home together during her treatment. 

Those of us in Angie's "Village" are keeping each other updated to ensure Ang and Oscar have all the support they need - physically, emotionally, practically. 

We know our 'Flange' has a global village of friends, near and even more so afar from her time living and travelling overseas, who right now are unsure how they can provide support and that is why we have set up this Gofundme for her and Oscar. 

The reality is, Angie will be off work for quite some time and while there is some financial support for this, I am sure most of us will agree that any extra money will be of assistance. As there is more clarity of what lies ahead, we'll share updates via here but for now, if you would like to support Angie, please donate whatever you feel is best for you towards this Fund. 

We will speak to Angie about how she wishes to spend this but we are all quite certain that anything that can make this period less stressful for her and Oscar, and to allow her to focus on treatment and healing, will be of benefit to them both. And simply put, money will help that! 

We are all focused on ensuring Oscar has his mama back healthy and well and no-one is more focused on that then Ang is! 

Thank you in advance for any donations and sharing with your networks.

With Much Gratitude
on behalf of Angie, Oscar and the "village"