Dear Diary #22 - Wings Of Hope

Hey Friends, 

Today is Chemo Round 3!! Super excited!! Actually that isn't even sarcasm. Today I feel like it is just time to get this over with! Can we do round 4 at the same time? Puhlease!?! 

The good news is that Round 2 overall went really really well. Other than my rough days on days 3 and 4, and some minor bone pain after that, I haven't really had any complaints. Taste buds were an issue for 10 or 12 days, but I'm mostly over that. Food just sucks, but I keep on eating! Fingers EXTRA crossed today that that doesn't happen again, but I'm resigned to deal with it if it does. Thankfully no hives this round! Woot Woot!

Seriously, let's just get this over with. I now know that I will see my radiation oncologist on April 19. At this point it is only a referral, because that is just the next step. I am really in a grey area as to whether or not I actually need it, and am really hoping I can skip that step, but I'll go and chat, and be a good patient. 

On another note, those that follow me on Facebook will have seen the post below, but I'm reposting here as not everyone will see it. 

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A new found Cancer friend going through treatment at the same time as me has recently completed a fundraiser for a very very wonderful local charity supporting families with the financial burdens that a breast cancer diagnosis comes with. Katie was able to fundraise over $15,000 dollars last week for a charity that is struggling (as so many are) with current limitations of in person fundraising due to ongoing Covid restrictions.

Katie has challenged me to meet or beat her effort, and who doesn't LOVE a good challenge!! (Link to donate is at the end of this post!!)

This will be a long post, and I would love it if you could make your way all the way through my words.

If I've learned anything about this #breastcancer experience, it's that it is EXPENSIVE! I am so fortunate to have a job with excellent benefits, a supportive husband, family and friends who can help me out at a moment's notice, and to be in a privileged position to not have this experience be a significant burden financially. Many people don't have health benefits, work for hourly wages, or lose their jobs simply because of so much time needed to be off work. There are surgeries, and treatments, and simply recovery time needed. In some cases people simply feel forced to turn down treatment in order to continue to feed their families. Can you even imagine?? This literally breaks my heart.

Wings Of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is a charitable organization that provides financial assistance for low-income people living with breast cancer in Calgary. They offer financial relief for basic living expenses, including housing, groceries, utilities, medication, and transportation/parking, allowing breast cancer patients to focus on their recovery. If you are able, and feel so inclined, please donate to Wings of Hope's General Fund, and I would be honoured if you put my name in the Dedication Information 'in honour of'. This allows donations to be tracked to my fundraiser as they have not spent extra website design funds to individualize fundraisers (more dollars for those that need it).

Wings Of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is an especially deserving charity because when people qualify for WOH, it is because they have exhausted all other funding, and this is likely a last resort. This means your support has ensured families don't lose their home, go without heat, and ensures food on their table - basic necessities we are all so lucky to be able to cover. This organization is 100% volunteer run and they are proud to report that 95%+ of the money raised goes directly to patients in need.

This is a registered charitable organization filling such an import need in our community. I have such an amazing #tribe that always asks me if I need anything, what they can do for me, and so much more. THIS would be an amazing show of support to a very dear cause (and a small amount of tax deductions don't hurt either). EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS. Every single dollar, literally. If you are not in a position to help, can I ask you to SHARE? It's only a click of a button!

I would especially like to send this challenge out to my friends and colleagues in the real estate world. I will start the donations with a $500 donation. Are you willing to participate? NO pressure to match, and every dollar counts. Can I count on you for $20? $100? Any amount?

https://wings-of-hope.com/donate/

#breastcancer #localcharity

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I've received some amazing gift packages recently. So thoughtful. I feel the love, all of the time!!! From messages, texts, gifts, and phone calls. YOU are what make this easy. YOU are what makes me get up every day with a warrior attitude, and be so grateful for my #tribe. There will never be enough words to express this.

Keep cheering friends.

Peace and love

Barb