Carolyn's Cancer and Hope's Healing

In March 2019, while teaching 5-year-old children in Abu Dhabi, I was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer with extensive spread to my bones in my torso, and liver. After receiving treatment in Abu Dhabi, I returned to New Zealand to heal. I had been teaching, however in June 2021 I fractured my hip while in the classroom, and shortly afterwards we discovered the liver tumors were spreading.

I decided to leave my job I loved, and to focus on healing. I moved to Christchurch to be closer to my sons. This has proven to be an expensive time as I am now living on the supported living benefit. This benefit covers all my essentials; however, it does not leave enough money for all my treatments. Going forward, I would really like to have a PET scan, as this is the most concise tool for showing exactly where the cancer is. This treatment is not publicly funded and can cost upwards of $3000. My alternative treatments (miseltoe injections and Cerussit) cost around $500 a month.

I had been funding this on my credit card since returning to New Zealand. This was until Hope, my faithful companion, had to go to the emergency vets last week. She had emergency surgery and spent multiple nights at the vet. The bills for this are astronomical. My credit card is maxed out. Ongoing spending is now a choice between my treatment and Hope’s.

I am creating this givealittle page to help me through this tough time, so any donations you can provide, big or small, would be greatly appreciated.