Dear Friends, Family and Other Angels,

For the last 4 years I have lived alone with my dogs in the Pacific Northwest.  One day at a time, my goal has been to stand on my own two feet and take care of my furry friends. I've been pretty successful keeping us in food and shelter, with occasional help from my friends, but life has dealt me a sudden and deadly blow.

I was diagnosed with cancer this last May and what with surgeries, depression, chemotherapy, depression, millions of doctor appointments, and depression... I haven't been able to work for the last 3 months. My brain has turned to mush. I'm SO tired all the time. But I have a lovely scar so I can tell people that I'm Frankenstein's Granny.

lovely-scar-lg

Metastatic Melanoma is a form of skin cancer, that has spread to my lymph nodes, and can potentially grow tumors in other organs. Since May I have had 2 surgeries to remove the original cancer successfully, but once things have moved to the lymph nodes there's really no way to know what will happen and not even surgically removing the lymph nodes can guarantee to stop the spread. I've had lots of tests and currently have no tumors active, and I'm undergoing "chemo" treatment to hopefully prevent them from forming.

I'm pretty hopeful atm, but since I haven't been able to work, things have gotten worser and worser... I've been highly stressed and depressed, in shock of having a deadly disease and feeling alone and unable to cope. And recovering from surgery. And then starting "chemo" - with the side effects from the treatments, although less severe than some types of chemo, have caused bad brain fog, memory loss, some thyroid issues, and a huge increase in fatigue and body pain.

I've received help with rent and bills from some very generous people, and I am VERY grateful. There's no way to say thank you enough. Seriously, you know who you are and I am very very grateful for your help. But I am still struggling to get back on my feet.

My goal and desire is to be able to work again. I'm two months into infusion treatments, and I need help to get through the next few months while I get accustomed to the infusion drugs and the fatigue.

My dogs are my dearest companions and they have kept me going through the shock and pain of the last months. I'm determined to keep going and get back on my feet for their sake as well.

harpo_and_georgie

I've been advised that I should get rid of the dogs, that life would be easier and cheaper without them. Georgie and Harpo are rescue dogs, and they were very bonded to each other before they came to me. They actually had 2 temporary homes before, but they were separated and couldn't thrive apart from each other. I was able to take them both so they could stay together, and now, 5 years later, I am SO grateful and fortunate to have them. The thought of giving them up is like getting kicked in the stomach. I can't do it. I know there must be a way we can get through this and stay together!

I've resisted asking for help in this way but I'm now in desperate straits. I'm dropping pride and accepting that I need help. And this seems the best way, as it will mean no one person has to bear the burden.

WHAT I NEED

Money, for rent, bills, and food.

I know some people would rather offer services or other help. Thank you but there are volunteers through the various agencies to help with household chores, and I've applied for them. I don't need that kind of help.

christine-kamron-08-2018-600

I'm making a list of all the things I've tried and done so far. If you have anything to try that's not already on the list, please let me know. I'm willing to try anything.

The only other kind of help I could think of - other than rent money - would be a place to live that hopefully won't cost too much to start with. If you have the ability and desire to offer housing for me and my two dogs, that would be a seriously amazing blessing. But that seems like an awful lot to ask, too much of a burden on anybody.

I've set up two donation portals:

* PAYPAL - I have created a donation pool that will let you send money to my paypal account. You can find it here:
Paypal Donation Page
You can donate anonymously, it's up to you.

* GOFUNDME.COM - I set up a campaign here:
GoFundMe Donation Page

If you prefer not to give money to me, you could pay bills directly. I am happy to give you the account information to pay online, or the paper bill to mail checks to the vendors directly.

Whatever people are comfortable doing, I'll be grateful.

I'm hoping to get help with :

RENT Oct. 1 -- $945.00
BILLS Oct. Approximately $300.00

But any amount will help. ANY AMOUNT! Every little bit will help. And I'm really hoping that I'll be able to gradually start working again and get back on my feet, even with the treatments, as long as the side effects don't get a lot worse. But right now the biggest concern is rent for the next few months. I'm calling this "help me get back on my feet and not be on the streets".

I will be so grateful for any help you can give over the next few months, only as much or as little as you feel able to, but not to break anybody's bank or cause hardship.

Thank you and bless you!
Christine, Georgie & Harpo
"I Choose Life"

How You Can Help