Editor's note: This is a letter addressed to the Squamish community. It was copied to The Chief for publication.
I am writing to thank you for your amazing support over the past two weeks. On Thursday, April 4, I had major surgery - nine hours in the OR - to remove the cancer from my body and perform a very complicated reconstruction. I was terrified to undergo this procedure, but I had no choice in the matter, it was the third step in the long process to rid my body of my disease.
It wasn't until my third day post-op at UBC Hospital that I had the energy to look at my iPhone and more importantly check in with Facebook. That is when I was completely amazed. I had hundreds of personal messages from people I didn't even know, living in Squamish, who were doing what they could to help me get through the surgery successfully. I heard of a prayer group from one of our local churches, there were "loving vibes" being sent to me from a Reiki master, prayers and positive thoughts from people of all age groups who somehow had heard my story and felt a desire to reach out.
I fully believe that the success the surgeon achieved in the OR was significantly influenced by all this love and support, so I wanted to write and thank everyone. Living in a small community definitely has its blessings; this would not have happened if I had lived in Vancouver. Squamish has banded together to help one of their own and I am so honoured to receive your love. I cannot wait to get home and back to enjoying our town.
Michelle Pammenter Young
Squamish
