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Winnipeg Free Press > Local > Anguished mother-in-law's plea for help

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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Anguished mother-in-law's plea for help

Young wife, mother of baby girl learns her deadly cancer has cropped up again

By: Gordon Sinclair Jr.

22/10/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 16

Kaleena Hudon, with husband David and daughter Hailey, hopes to go to Pittsburgh for clinical trial.

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Kaleena Hudon, with husband David and daughter Hailey, hopes to go to Pittsburgh for clinical trial. (JOE.BRYKSA@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

There are thousands upon millions of people battling cancer in this world.

All of them worthy and special in their own way.

How you can help

If you'd care to help Kaleena, a Bank of Montreal account has been set up for her. Donations can be dropped off to the Bank of Montreal at 1565 Regent Avenue, or mailed to Coughlin Insurance Brokers, Unit 4, 1170 Taylor Ave, Winnipeg, R3M 3Z4. Cheques can be made payable to Dave and Kaleena Hudon.

But there's something about Kaleena Hudon's story that got to me.

It arrived this week by email.

Originally the email was sent by Kaleena's mother-in-law, Christine Logan, as an appeal for help from friends and co-workers. After reading it, they sent it to other friends and family. The letter was accompanied by a striking photo of the young family, which is where Christine began.

* * *

"The picture above is of my family. My son David, my daughter-in-law Kaleena and my beautiful granddaughter Hailey.

Kaleena is a young, vibrant beautiful woman who, up to a couple of months ago, had her whole life in front of her. Four years ago, at the age of 21, Kaleena was diagnosed with melanoma.

She had surgery to remove the tumor from her arm. Since then Kaleena has been seeing her oncologist regularly and each time has received a clean bill of health.

Around the same time she met my son, they fell in love and moved in together, planning to be married when Kaleena finished her schooling.

Last fall, she gave us the good news that we were going to be grandparents and on May 7th of this year gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Unfortunately, the good news was marred with a frightening discovery.

Right after Hailey was born, Kaleena discovered a small marble-type growth on her ribs. She was almost due for her six-month checkup at the oncologist, so she showed it to her when she went to CancerCare. It was immediately removed and a biopsy performed.

In mid July, we were told that it tested positive for melanoma. She was then sent for a CT scan.

On July 29th, we found out that the cancer was in her lymph nodes, stomach, lungs, chest, arm and neck. That news was devastating.

No one for one moment thought that her body would be so full of cancer. On the outside, Kaleena is the picture of health. She is vibrant, happy, such a strong person.

Now we are being told that this beautiful 25-year-old woman, the mother of our five-month-old granddaughter, is dying... "

* * *

It's one thing to read those words. It's another to actually meet and speak with Kaleena and Dave in their little starter home in St. Vital.

As I arrive, baby Hailey is playing bouncing baby girl in her Jolly Jumper as Grandma Christine keeps watch.

For the next hour, they share how they met three years ago at a Smitty's where she was tending bar.

How they gradually fell in love and how Hailey arrived unexpectedly.

About both of them being there when the doctor told Kaleena that the cancer hadn't reached her vital organs yet.

But there was no cure.

About how they planned their wedding in five weeks. The ceremony, on Sept. 26, was even quicker. It happened so fast, in fact, the 175 guests who stood when Kaleena walked down the aisle didn't have time to sit down before she was walking back up.

"It's changed things in our life," Dave says. "But it hasn't slowed us down at all. If anything, it's sped us up. Instead of just sitting around talking about stuff, we just do it."

Kaleena finishes her husband's thought. "Before you know it, it might be too late. Because you don't know you're going to have the chance next week or next year. Or tomorrow."

Then she added this: "I've always felt your life is planned out before you're born."

That doesn't mean she's giving up.

Her only chance for at least prolonging her life is a clinical trial available in Pittsburgh -- three session of three weeks each. Manitoba Health will pay for the treatments and the couple's airfare. But everything else -- food, accommodation and having Hailey and Kaleena's mother there for her -- has to be covered by the family. Hence the appeal for help in Christine's Logan's email. Hence Kaleena's continuing hope.

"My motto -- I have it tattooed on me -- is 'Dreaming's not enough.' And that's what I believe. You just don't hope that something's going to happen. You've got to make it happen."

I was going to ask Kaleena where someone who doesn't believe dreaming summons the strength to dream of surviving. But Kaleena answered before I could ask.

"I have too many things to live for, too many things to look forward to."

Then Kaleena smiled.

"Hailey just learned to roll over yesterday."

gordon.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca

 

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 22, 2009 B1

16 Commentscomment icon

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I totaly agree..Kaleena is not the only person suffering from cancer. Kaleena herself has asked what makes her so special. What makes her special is that someone in her life cared enough and was strong enough to ask for help. Most people suffering from cancer can find help right here in Winnipeg. Kaleena can not. Her only chance to live means going out of the country. That and the fact that she is only 25years old with a newborn baby makes her special. At 25 & 23 her and her husband have not had time to save up for an emergecy fund. Her mother in law has reached out for help and Winnipeg has come through for them.

Although I absolutly feel sorry for this woman .. I cannot help but feel that this is not fair that she should be centered out . Many other people are suffering from cancer and they are not receiving cash and cheques from the public .
One for all and all for one .

Im happy that Mr. Sinclair did this story. One such as this needs to be heard. I know Kaleena and knew of her illness however I did not know the extent of it. Cancer has touched me and my family so this story especially because I know her, hits home.

She is the definition of a sweet, funny, outgoing beautiful young lady. And her aura is infectious as is her smile.

As how we met, I truly hope she can serve me up many more martini's in the future.

All the best and my prayers and with you and your family Kaleena !! Stay positive !!

To the poster "eth" there will be a website up and running with the paypal info and all other info within the next day or two, because I leave on Wednesday November 4th for Pittsburg. Anyone can keep up with us as I'm going through treatment as I will be posting blogs. the website is www.dreamingsnotenough.ca. As for the social on the 27th, it is at the central hotel in Transcona. All of this info will be on the website as well.
Kaleena

Kaleena, Is the social on the 27th also at the Vivid Nightclub? My prayers are with you and your family during these difficult times.

To the poster 'Kaleena'...thank you. While I'm sure that your posting regarding the paypal account is legit, are you able to contact Mr.Sinclair to have him add it as a comment or addition to his story so that we're all sure of it's authenticity? It's sad that our world is a place where we're never sure--I just want to make sure my money is going to Kaleena and her family; and not to someone posing as them. Again, my thoughts are with you and your family--fight hard and be strong.

To "I love this town".. The social is on November 6, 2009 not the 4th. There is another on November 27, 2009 and yet another in Stonewall, MB on December 12, 2009
And to "eth"... read my last posting for details about the Pay Pal account...

I've known Kaleena for years, and I love her. It's impossible not to be captivated by her attitude and demeanor. Even when she wasn't sick! She was attending school (while pregnant) to become a massage therapist. She works incredibly hard and is brilliantly smart.

One thing this article doesn't talk about is the social being thrown for her on Nov 4th at VIVID nightclub on Pembina highway. Any contributions for prizes would be most appreciated. Contact VIVID nightclub for any info.

I agree with another poster--please Gordon contact the family and have them set up a paypal account. It would bring in so many more donations for them. I wish Kaleena and her family nothing but the best.

I just personally want to say thank you to everyone for all the love, support and generosity. It doesn't get old! It only helps in keeping up the courage to beat this disease. To FWIT.. I have set up a PayPal account under dreamingsnotenough@gmail.com. This money will go directly to the Bank of Montreal account. Everyone has been so generous and supportive words cannot express how greatful I am. I also want to thank Gordon Sinclair for taking the time to get to know me and my family and to get my story out there. He is a phenomenal writer and I couldn't have asked for a better story.

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