When my mom, Joyce Frances Fingerote, was 66 years old she was given a diagnosis of CLL- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. At the time she was told that most people live with this “cancer related” blood disorder for decades, with little to no consequence.
Indeed through the next 2 decades the prognosis proved to be mostly correct to the point where my mom, my dad and all of our family almost completely forgot about this small complication. A few blood tests here and there, some iron adjustments on occasion, and she was “good to go”!
However shortly after her 85th birthday the situation began to change. Already dealing with high blood pressure, diverticulosis, erratic heart beat leading to a pace maker being provided for her, TIA episodes, spinal stenosis, the CLL finally made its appearance known. Her life became a series of blood transfusions, increasing in frequency from 1 every 2-3 months to soon once or twice weekly. My mother, my sisters and I became regular visitors to the CancerCare Chemotherapy clinic where she received her transfusions.
My mom’s oncology hematologist strongly suggested that she begin a chemotherapy regime which he believed would improve her terribly low red blood count due to the rapid progression of the CLL. He hoped this treatment would result in a better quality of life for my mom. Unfortunately the chemo became very difficult for my mom to tolerate and soon afterward she passed away from a series of brain seizures as a consequence of the chemotherapy.
My mother lived a wonderful life of 88 years, 59 of which were with my dad, and we are blessed with beautiful memories of our time with her. To this day 3 daughters, 3 sons in law, 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren carry her memory with them each day.
I am taking the Challenge at CancerCare Manitoba's Challenge for Life – in memory of my mother Joyce Frances, and many of my family, my good friends and colleagues, who have lost their lives due to cancer and blood disorders in years past.
CancerCare Manitoba is the provincially mandated cancer agency for all of Manitoba, responsible for cancer prevention, detection, treatment, research and education. CancerCare Manitoba is dedicated to excellence in cancer care, enhancing the quality of life of those diagnosed and living with cancer and blood disorders and improving cancer control for all Manitobans.
CancerCare Manitoba Foundation’s mission, in partnership with its donors, is to support CancerCare’s strategic priorities. Donor contributions help bridge the gap of initiatives and programs not eligible for government funding or where financial resources are not available. This support to CancerCare Manitoba profoundly impacts patient outcomes.
By participating in this “Made-in-Manitoba” event May 25 - June 1 of 2024, I am committed to taking steps to improve my overall health and reduce my own risk of cancer. I am also committed to raising at least $1500 to support CancerCare Manitoba and all those in need.Please join me in this Challenge – by registering yourself and choosing your workout, to reach 200 minutes of fitness or 20 km or by supporting me with a donation. If you do choose to donate to this very worthy cause, I am forever grateful to you as I continue to walk for my mom and for so many others who are battling cancer or have succumbed to cancer.
We'll do it together.... because we can!
I can’t thank you enough and I wish each of you good health, happiness and wonderful times spent with loved ones and friends in the days to come.
Rhonda
