In July this year, my mum, Ceary, was diagnosed with stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. She underwent major abdominal surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible, and then after a brief period of recovery from the operation, has begun the gruelling challenge of five months of chemotherapy.While we have not been given any sort of time frame for this, we do know that it is terminal. One thing that my mum would dearly love to do once she has made it through these rounds of chemo is to make a trip back out west to the region of her childhood - Innaminca, which for those of you who don't know, is way out past Tibooburra.Immediately following mum's diagnosis and subsequent surgery and chemotherapy course, she had to give up work. This has placed a huge financial burden on her. She is also coping with many side affects from the treatment, one of which is the loss of her hair.Now....as an adult (and most probably as a child) I have said many silly things, in an effort to entertain, as some base attempt at wit, or just for the sake of being a smart arse to all and sundry. One of those random comments, most likely made in the presence of numerous empty beer cans, was that if my mum ever got cancer and lost her hair, I would shave mine in solidarity. It was an off the cuff comment, not one I ever expected to have to live up to.But that moment has come. My hair is the longest it has been in quite some years. I have cut it short many times, but this is the first time as an adult that I have truly enjoyed having long hair. And now my mum has cancer. And she has lost her hair. So I am using this opportunity to stand by something I said as a joke to help raise money for my mum so she can afford to make this trip out to a place where the sandhills or red, and the flies could carry your lunch away if you blink for just a moment. It doesn't make me brave. It doesn't take courage to do this. It takes courage to put yourself through chemotherapy, and still come out fighting. And that's the spirit that I want you all to know about. My mum has it in spades. There may be many bad days to come, but she will keep getting up every day, and even on her worst day, she will probably just give the world the finger, a few choice words, and keep on fighting.Any donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated. I will post photos soon to show my hair as it is now, and then after the shave, which is scheduled to take place at Warren Golf Club, November 14 at 1pm. The biggest donation does have the option of being the lucky person wielding the clippers, if you can make the trip out.For those who don't know where Warren is, it is about one hour and twenty minutes past Dubbo - not the Sydney side, either.There will be a sausage sizzle on the day, and there is a kids play area as well, so it will be a day focused on family.Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any funds you are able to help out with. Barbie
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