Well today I want to talk about a wonderful thing that my high school graduating class is doing for one of our own. As I have mentioned in previous entries we have a high number of cancer in our city and in our graduating class. For women under the age of 40 breast cancer is supposed to be a rare occurrence yet in our class has a very high occurrence rate.
The graduating class of Woonsocket Senior High Class of 1988 is rallying to help one of our own. Right now a 41 year old class mate Michelle is in the fight for her life. Five years ago Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer; she fought through it with grace. Michelle fought this while raising her 4 year old twin sons. Her and her husband tried to make the cancer experience less scary for her sons by even allowing them to decorate her head that was bald from chemo.
This past year Michelle was going in for her four year checkup and mentioned a pain she had in her neck. It turns out she had a cancer patients worst fear a stage 4 recurrence. This time the cancer was not in her breast it was in her bones in her neck and had appeared in her liver. With this round in the fight she started chemo therapy and it did not show any signs of helping. The new chemo was very hard on Michelle and her body and they had to stop the plan they were following. When she found out the chemo was not working they tried her on hormone therapy.
When new pain started they realized that the cancer was not reacting to the hormones or the chemo so they decided to try an experimental treatment. So far the treatment is working and she has so bravely documented her trip on this website.
Back to our classmates being so awesome! They heard about Michelle’s battle and her husband and two now 9 year old twin boys and decided to help out. Even with the best insurance cancer treatment is expensive. Our class is holding multiple fundraisers for Michelle and her family. The support that after 24 years our classmates are showing is amazing.
While they are organizing this “Hearts Out To Michelle Beausoleil” event they are also supporting another classmate with lung cancer. He has had a very hard fight and has a long fight still to go, classmates are sending cards and well wishes his way. I must say I have never been so proud to say I am a member of this graduating class. Even 1800 miles away the love they are showing our classmates is amazing. If you feel the desire to donate you can send your donations to: Hearts Out to Michelle Beausoleil, 52 Sunset Ave, Woonsocket RI 02895
Check Out Michelle’s Blog click here