“Be kind to each other on a daily basis because you never know anyone’s story,” says Squamish mom Monique Napier.
Though you would never know it from looking at the vibrant young mother of two, Napier’s own story includes some tough challenges.
She is currently facing a brain tumour for the second time.
Napier first discovered she had a brain tumour when she was six months pregnant with her youngest child, Sylvie, in 2013.
She underwent surgery in 2014 and had hoped the worst was over, but she recently learned the tumour is growing back.
Surgery is not an option this time so she will begin aggressive radiation and chemotherapy in December that will last until the summer of 2017.
She is preparing the best she can.
“I am bearing down and preparing my system for what is coming,” Napier told The Squamish Chief.
“Just trying to get as healthy as I can… Just working on my inner strength right now, really, so that I can draw from that for the months to come because it is going to be rough.”
She will be away from her family for six and a half weeks during some of her treatments so she and her husband are trying to prepare young Kyle, 5, and Sylvie, 3, for the separation.
“Which is going to be hard. We have to explain to them what is going on. That is all coming up,” she said.
Starting in January, the family will need live-in help.
Napier’s sister-in-law started a GoFundMe campaign, Monique and Scott’s Childcare Fund, to help with expenses now that Napier will be off work and needing assistance.
“Ideally, we want nothing more than for Monique and Scott to be able to focus on her treatment – without the added financial stress,” said Katie Barton on the crowd funding website.
“Anyone who knows Monique, knows she is an absolutely beautiful person in all aspects. She has and will continue to fight hard for her and her family.”
Many other people in Squamish are struggling with tough challenges, Napier said, acknowledging it is hard for her to accept that she needs help.
Even though it was just recently launched, the campaign for Napier and her family has already surpassed $20,000, a milestone that shocked and humbled her.
“We are just floored,” she said. “I just can’t believe the community… It just shows you how everybody steps up when you really need it.”
The Lye Family Fund is another local crowd funding campaign sparked to help Squamish’s Philip Lye, who is also suffering from a recurring brain tumour, and his family.
Go to Lye Family Fund on GoFundMe for more information on that family’s story. A Facebook auction has been launched in support of both families.
Visit “Support Monique & Selinda Auction” on Facebook to bid.
