Journal entry by Kaitlin Park —
On January 24, 2019 Michelle informed me that she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer. Receiving this devastating news was really tough to an already exhausting season of life. At 31 years young, my sweet friend, Michelle still has many adventures ahead of her. Often, I think when we receive difficult news such as this, we retreat and search for every corner to run to before actually confronting the issue at hand. Instead of ignoring or pretending my dear friend wasn't diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer, I am choosing to lean into this season of life with my friend and walk alongside throughout the unknown journey ahead. This website will serve as a way to receive updates on Michelle's care and treatment.
Almost as long as I have known Michelle, she has had at least two or more jobs. Always busy, always off on some adventure, or ambitiously chasing new dreams and always, always making friends. This new hurdle is a bit of a struggle for Michelle's constant on the go lifestyle. She has had to take a moment to slow down, quit all of her jobs, and take care of herself. Two of Michelle's friends, Chef Jeremy Cooper and Chelsi Pennington, generously started a GoFundMe account to raise money for Michelle's treatment, personal bills, health management, medical finances, and journey to recovery. Michelle's endless generous soul is finally calling for a little in return. While Michelle is incredibly thankful for the GoFundMe account creation, she is also accepting direct payments to her PayPal account, which doesn't require extra fees or taxes to be taken out. If your heart feels so incline to contribute to Michelle's recovery, please feel free to make a donation through her PayPal, her user name is skatergirl328@msn.com.
Below is a bit of an update on Michelle's treatment and the origin of diagnosis:
Michelle had surgery relatively a year ago and was still in a significant amount of pain. She had a feeling that her incision site was not healing properly. Unfortunately, several visits to the emergency room later, Michelle received a phone call that she had Colorectal Cancer. Upon hearing the news, Michelle taken back with shock and grief, broke down and began to cry. She immediately called her roommate and a good friend to come over, followed by her dad and step-mom. Initially, surrounded by close friends and family, Michelle felt safe with the impending journey ahead.
As of March 29, 2019, Michelle is three weeks into chemo and radiation and has four weeks remaining for this cycle. Just released from the hospital yesterday, she is roughly a week behind on her chemo schedule. Michelle was in the hospital for five days due to dehydration and a dangerously low white blood cell count. Monday through Friday Michelle has radiation and chemo treatments and receives daily injections to increase white blood cell count.
Today, her numbers are climbing and she can resume her chemo treatment on Monday, this is good news. Michelle's spirits are high. Cancer is tough and exhausting and our friend is the ultimate fighter, help us be warriors alongside her!
Almost as long as I have known Michelle, she has had at least two or more jobs. Always busy, always off on some adventure, or ambitiously chasing new dreams and always, always making friends. This new hurdle is a bit of a struggle for Michelle's constant on the go lifestyle. She has had to take a moment to slow down, quit all of her jobs, and take care of herself. Two of Michelle's friends, Chef Jeremy Cooper and Chelsi Pennington, generously started a GoFundMe account to raise money for Michelle's treatment, personal bills, health management, medical finances, and journey to recovery. Michelle's endless generous soul is finally calling for a little in return. While Michelle is incredibly thankful for the GoFundMe account creation, she is also accepting direct payments to her PayPal account, which doesn't require extra fees or taxes to be taken out. If your heart feels so incline to contribute to Michelle's recovery, please feel free to make a donation through her PayPal, her user name is skatergirl328@msn.com.
Below is a bit of an update on Michelle's treatment and the origin of diagnosis:
Michelle had surgery relatively a year ago and was still in a significant amount of pain. She had a feeling that her incision site was not healing properly. Unfortunately, several visits to the emergency room later, Michelle received a phone call that she had Colorectal Cancer. Upon hearing the news, Michelle taken back with shock and grief, broke down and began to cry. She immediately called her roommate and a good friend to come over, followed by her dad and step-mom. Initially, surrounded by close friends and family, Michelle felt safe with the impending journey ahead.
As of March 29, 2019, Michelle is three weeks into chemo and radiation and has four weeks remaining for this cycle. Just released from the hospital yesterday, she is roughly a week behind on her chemo schedule. Michelle was in the hospital for five days due to dehydration and a dangerously low white blood cell count. Monday through Friday Michelle has radiation and chemo treatments and receives daily injections to increase white blood cell count.
Today, her numbers are climbing and she can resume her chemo treatment on Monday, this is good news. Michelle's spirits are high. Cancer is tough and exhausting and our friend is the ultimate fighter, help us be warriors alongside her!
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