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On July 11th, 2012, the world lost a fighter and heaven gained an angel. I have never been so compelled and motivated to embark on a journey that takes place on a span of two days riding more than 200 kms. This journey from start to finish will not be easy, it will be emotional, the training will be hard, but my determination and drive will help me to succeed. I am motivated to raise the $2,500... that will allow me to ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls, but I am even more motivated to exceed this goal because I know I will be helping others. This journey may be hard but it doesn't compare to what cancer patients or survivors have been through and dealt with. Hi, my name is Alexandra, most know me by Alex. I am a seventeen year old teenager who has been blessed with good health for the most part, with a great group of friends, and an amazing family. This past year, I have been motivated to run my first marathon which was the CIBC Run for the Cure and shortly after, completed the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. In June of 2014, I wish to embark on the Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in hopes that one day we might live in a world free of cancer. I have always been one to participate in my community in order to help others, but nothing has motivated me more to get out there and fight for such a great cause as seeing my grandmother fight the breast cancer battle twice only to be stricken with brain cancer caused by a glioblastoma multiform tumour. The battle wasn’t easy, we must find a cure! On December 9th, 2011, I turned sixteen. One could imagine their sixteenth birthday to be an unforgettable night filled with cake, presents, family and friends. My night wasn't the teenage dream, but it was definitely unforgettable. The week leading up to my birthday was prefaced with my mother and grandfather noticing a change in my grandmother’s behaviour. She began to slur words and mix up sentences. On the day of my birthday, my mother thought my grandmother may be experiencing a stroke. That night, my mother took my grandmother and grandfather to the hospital; they stayed till the early hours of the morning as medical staff ran tests and did blood work. Originally, the doctors concluded that my grandmother had experienced a stroke. Later however, after further investigation, we received the horrific news; my grandmother was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiform brain tumour, stage 4, and had approximately six months to live. One can say that the news was emotional, stressful, and terrifying… but this was only the beginning. As the months went by, my grandmother lost her ability to speak, read, and write. My grandmother and grandfather, who were both great communicators, could no longer communicate. It was heart wrenching to see a woman whose cognitive function had not yet been damaged by this glioblastoma… she knew what was going on, she had her wits about her, but she was trapped in a body that was shutting down… she was losing her control… her independence… she wanted so much to live! My grandmother began radiation. Being a previous breast cancer survivor, my grandmother had a fighter’s attitude and knew what the side effects could be. Unfortunately, the position of the brain tumour and the stage it was at made an operation to remove the tumour impossible. The doctors informed my grandmother that due to the high levels of radiation she would begin to lose clumps of hair, eventually leaving her bald. That day she went to the hairdressers and shaved it all off. In the beginning, doctors thought the radiation was showing some success; it appeared her tumour had stopped growing but tests were preliminary; the next one would be the definitive test. Shortly after, my grandmother broke into a horrible rash all over her body from the radiation. This rash wasn't the typical rash that would heal with some cream. Her skin was fiery red and raw; for a woman who did not once complain since receiving her diagnosis, she began to cry for the pain and discomfort was unbearable. Little did any of us know, this rash was only the beginning of what she was to endure. Doctors advised us the last test showed the tumour had not stopped growing. My grandmother was now having trouble walking; the meds she was on to reduce the pressure from the brain tumour caused her muscles to deteriorate and her face and body to swell. She was becoming weaker and weaker. At this point, my grandfather, mother, father and I were doing everything in our power to follow her wishes of living at home. We got a hospital bed put into the house and spent most of our days cherishing the time remaining. Eventually, a caregiver started to help with my grandmother; she wasn't too thrilled about that. The brain was not sending proper signals to the body, and my grandmother could no longer do basic tasks. Everything was getting mixed up. Weeks later, my grandmother took a hard fall trying to walk. At this point, she was moved to the hospital; she could no longer get out of bed. We spent every day with her. We continued being positive hoping a miracle would happen. In the hospital, the pain of her tumour became unbearable. I can remember the day we were sitting in her room talking to her, and a blankness came over her face. She slowly lifted the covers up over her face as if to create a wall between us. She began to cry out in pain. The tumour was expanding in her skull, strangling and killing whatever was in its path. This pain, I could just imagine how unbearable it was; but my grandma was not a complainer nor did she like us seeing her this way. She thought by covering herself with the blanket, we would not see her suffering. One day in the early morning, my mom and I came to visit my grandmother. We stayed and talked for a few hours but my mom had to go to get the rest of my family. I decided to stay with my grandma and enjoy the days that were slowly coming to an end. That day I will always remember; just me and my grandma, usually how it always was. She was unable to feed herself, so I fed her. My grandmother refused to eat and I did not understand why at first. Eventually I got it; she wouldn't eat unless I ate with her. We ended up sharing her hospital food. At the end of June, we moved my grandmother to her own private room at Headwaters Hospital in Orangeville. This part of the journey became extremely emotional and I became scared. Scared of losing my grandma, my role model, and one of the most influential people in my life; to think of all the memories we shared. A week went by and I did not visit her, my mom updated me each day on how she was doing. One day, my mother told me my grandma had become unresponsive; not dead, but would not open her eyes; she lied there motionless. A few days past and I knew seeing her would be a real challenge. I entered the hospital grounds on July 10th, 2012 in tears stepping foot onto the hospital parking lot. Walking into the hospital, my tears became heavier and my heart began to break. I was forced to face reality; I knew I was losing her, something I had absolutely no control over. As I met my grandfather, his face was swollen red from the tears. Nothing could prepare me to what I was about to walk into. As I entered my grandmother’s room, my heart immediately sunk as I saw her lying there, eyes closed, face pale, skin cold and body motionless. I stood there for a few minutes and left crying and feeling faint. I went out to the garden at the Hospital and fell asleep on the bench. I was woken hours later by my father who insisted I go see my grandmother and say goodbye. This time walking in I knew I had to be brave, my grandmother needed my love. I stood beside her bed and lowered myself to the side of her face. I was speechless but I was able to mutter "Grandma, it's Alex". A few seconds later her eyes opened and she began to open her mouth as if to talk. Her eyes looked cloudy grey; she had no more life in them. Her communication was completely gone. I still held myself together wanting to cry. I told her how much I loved her, and told her I’d be back tomorrow. The following day I finished my shift as a lifeguard and went to grab my things. I checked my phone seeing a new message. The message read, "Alex, your guardian angel’s watching over you". At that moment I immediately began to cry. To this day, I still feel my grandmother’s presence. I feel my grandmother had waited to see me one last time before she could finally be at rest. The days became long, the funeral was hard, and the crying lasted months. Every so often I find myself thinking of the many memories my grandmother and I shared. The battle was long and hard, but she is no longer in pain or suffering. Over time our hearts will heal and the pain won't hurt so much, but until then my goal is this, I want to do whatever I can to help aid organizations such as the Princess Margaret Hospital with the ability to advance in breakthrough research, innovative treatments, and critical services to those in need; so that one day, others won't have to deal with the pain and suffering my grandmother and many other individuals have experienced around the world. Can you imagine a CANCER FREE Canada? Better yet, a CANCER FREE world? I want little girls to grow up in a world were pink ribbons are for ponytails and prom dresses, not breast cancer. I want cancer to be a disease of the past not the present! It's not just the elderly who experience cancer. Cancers affects us all… from children to adults; we have all been touched by someone who has either survived, passed, or is currently fighting cancer. Princess Margaret's expertise and reputation has given them the title in the world's top five cancer research centres. This journey is not just my journey; through your donations you are helping in the conquest to fight cancer once and for all. It will be a challenge in a number of ways; some blood, sweat, and tears may come from my extensive training; but my bike, helmet, and your generosity will make a real impact whether it's today or in the future. Please contribute to this history-making event with a donation. Even the smallest of donations will help! Thank You So Much and May God Bless You!
The Link To My Page: http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Toronto2014?px=3573414&pg=personal&fr_id=1513See More
