Thank you for your love and support for Cathy through her cancer journey. This is going to be a long road, and we want to keep all of our communities from Niagara to Meaford & Thornbury aware of what is going on and ways to support!
Timeline of events thus far: - In 2022, Cathy asked her GP about a mammogram, having identified a lump in her right breast - It took over a year for Cathy to get called in for her mammogram, which only got followed up with because Cathy found new lumps under her right arm - On June 8th, Cathy was called in by a St. Catharines surgeon, where it was confirmed that she had Breast Cancer, and it was initially unclear if it was Stage 3 or Stage 4 - At this meeting, it was confirmed that Cathy would need to undergo chemotherapy, radiation, and a surgical mastectomy - More tests were conducted and eventually Stage 4 was ruled out which was a huge relief - The care team reviewed all tests, and it was decided that Cathy would go through 8 sessions of chemotherapy across 16 weeks, then 6 weeks later the mastectomy will take place (so around December), and then once recovery from surgery, a process of radiation - Cathy was put on an immediate medical leave starting June 23 because she needed to go through process of changing her epilepsy medication, get her PICC line inserted, go through a catscan, MRI, bloodwork, and chemo orientation class (accompanied by Kerry most of the way through this) - Cathy started chemotherapy on July 4th, three days before her 58th birthday and has chemo session every other Tuesday, and a bone marrow injection every other Thursday
Key support details - huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far! - Direct deposit e-transfers at cathysteverochon2017@gmail.com with subject "Support for Cathy's Cancer Recovery". - Click Journal & go to the Aug 1 Journal Entry "Donations" for all details of donations needed! - Click 'Planner' for errand, meal, and transportation requests - Flowers and house plants are always welcome - We are putting together journal posts about all the different ways to support and what that could look like if you are in Niagara or not
Cathy's main support team includes: - Her husband Steve for ongoing daily support in so , her (adult) kids and their chosen family - Todd & Becca (and Fynnley and Franklin) for their daily check-ins and support - Kerry & Mo for all of their administrative work, drives, chats, advocacy, food, resources, & networks - All of the amazing friends and family of Kerry, Becca, and Todd (and friends of friends) who have donated to our fundraising efforts and have been reaching out to help - So many members of our family and neighbours who have been asking & ready to help out in - Friends and family who have gone through their own experiences with cancer and medical issues and are reaching out to make sure Cathy feels connective
Cathy's medical team! - Hospital: St. Catharines Hospital Walker Family Cancer Centre, St. Catharines, ON - Oncologist: Dr. Rachel VanderMeer (and big shout out to her nurse Deb!) - Plastic Surgeon: Dr. Stephanie Phillips - Radiologist: Dr. Abhiram Hallock
Still in same pain but getting their. The doctor said it could take up to a year or more to recover from surgery. I am having trouble sleeping, some night I am up all night. Radiation has been delayed, I get very depressed at times because of the change in my body, and not working. my hair is growing back.
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