Help Me Celebrate My Birthday by Making a Difference!

With this year being my second birthday in remission from sarcoma cancer, I wanted to find a way to give back.  I considered a marathon, but with a large chunk of muscle being removed during my limb-sparing surgery, not to mention being legally blind wobbling an unfamiliar route, my leg had other ideas!  It suggested I use my birthday to give back instead, and so this idea was born! :)

For those less familiar with my journey, in February of 2015, I was diagnosed with a very large 25 by 13 by 8.7 cm tumour in my left thigh.  Two months later, I learned it was a rare type of high grade cancer called myxoid round cell liposarcoma that had invaded my muscle & wrapped around my sciatic nerve.  I spent the remaining eight months going through chemo, radiation, surgery & months of physiotherapy all while being laid off my job of nearly two decades, so it was an eventful year to say the least!  My incision had roughly 30 stitches & went from my butt all the way to the back of my knee.  Apart from a small super sensitive area, I permanently lost the feeling on most of my posterior thigh, have chronic edema, permanent neuropathy in my left foot & intermittent but chronic nerve pain due to radiation damage.  BUT... I am here to wobble another day! :)  Had I been diagnosed 20-30 years earlier, I most definitely would have lost my leg, but fortunately, that is now a last resort.  What got me through it all was the love & support of my amazing mom & aunt, friends near & far, my three little fur-kids & my dream to recover well enough to see my favourite band’s 20th anniversary tour!  My happiest moment during recovery was when I could finally get down on the floor to pick up & cuddle with my dogs!  That, and being able to put my sock on again without that crazy sock tool!  It really is the simple things in life that matter most!  :)

One thing I've missed since being laid off is being able to help people.  When I looked into volunteering with the Canadian Cancer Society & CNIB last year, I was told both were going through a reorganization & asked to come back later.  And as mentioned above, marathons are not my thing!  So, I thought what better way to give back than using my birthday to help others instead!

Sarcomas are a rare group of cancers that receive less research due to lack of awareness compared to more well known cancers. They are tumours which attack the connective tissues such as bone, muscle, fat, nerves & blood vessels, and can occur in both adults & children.  Unlike carcinoma cancers, sarcomas are more likely to reoccur over longer periods of time, even five & ten years after surgery.  For those of us lucky enough to survive the first round, it is a lifelong journey with no known cure.   Yet because of its rarity, many of us “unicorns” go through this journey without ever meeting another with the same subtype.

The Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada was founded in memory of Canadians who have lost their lives to sarcoma and is a national charity dedicated to providing support & education to patients while working with leading research institutions to eradicate sarcoma.  On a local level, Wellspring provides support to those with all types of cancer, so at least I didn’t have to go through it alone.  Even with the most awesome family & friends, there are some things only other cancer survivors can relate to.  Last but certainly not least, since dogs are also close to my heart, I am also including the CCRT (Canadian Chihuahua Rescue & Transport), as well as my local Humane Society.

With that said, in lieu of birthday gifts or drinks this year, I ask you to consider making a donation to help me reach my goal of $200 - $100 for each year of remission!  Donations are processed through the Canada Helps website but will go to the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada, Wellspring Calgary, Canadian Chihuahua Rescue & Transport and the Calgary Humane Society. If you donate $25 or more, you will also receive a tax receipt. Donations can be made through this page until July 10th, my remission anniversary.  However, as an incentive, IF you help me reach my goal EARLY by my actual birthday, I promise NOT to post about a certain band for 200 whole hours!  What more could you ask for?!  ;)