11/29/2024
Thanksgiving looked a bit different this year. To say that I am experiencing a range of emotions and wondering how to cope is an understatement 😭
💜 In 2018, our worst fears were confirmed — my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After 6 years of surgeries, chemo treatments, targeted radiation therapy, infections, hospital stays and complications, we’re ALL exhausted, to put it lightly.
💜 The shock of being told your father has pancreatic cancer is not a feeling I will ever forget. The dread of wondering where that road would lead for our family quickly sank in as we learned more about the disease. Most don’t make it nearly as long as my dad has, so for that I am eternally grateful.
💜 Still, I am not ready to say goodbye to him, not one fu***ng bit. This is a reality that nobody could have prepared me for. My dad is absolutely the best. He has always been an open set of ears, one of my biggest supporters, and a coach to all the things life has brought. I’m having an extremely difficult time thinking about the fact that one day, who knows how soon, I will be missing him terribly. The pain I’m feeling is immeasurable.
💜 I have been continuing my dad’s fight, all these years later by supporting a foundation called PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network). I have participated in PurpleStride every year, volunteered locally, donated and fundraised. While it can sometimes feel like it is not happening fast enough, the advancements and progress we have seen over the past 6 years have truly been incredible.
💜 For my birthday (12/1), I am hosting a fundraiser to raise $500 for PanCAN via Facebook. If you’re able to donate to support a good cause, that would truly mean the world (link is in the bottom of my bio above). Every little bit helps If you can’t, I completely understand that as I know this time of year can be tough financially for many. Either way, I appreciate you for reading this far into my caption. Happy Thanksgiving 🍁