Treatment for our Dad #henrystrong
Donation protected
Today I’m humbled and need to ask everyone I know to help out someone who means the absolute world to me. Never in a million years did I think I would ever find myself in this position….and here I stand. My head is down, my eyes are swollen from my tears and my heart is so unbearably heavy.
As many of you may know by my recent posts, my best friend, the person who means the absolute world to me, the person who has brought me into this world, my father, my hero – has been ill and recently hospitalized. What you may not know and what I’m forced to now share and completely without his consent, is that my dad has just been diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer.
Henry Vazquez – Our Hero
Life for me and my sisters was a blessing. For those of you that do not know my father, you haven’t had the privilege of knowing one of the most amazing men in this world. When my father was just a young man himself, at the prime age of 35, he took on parenthood alone. Instead of hitting the bars, dating, and hanging out like the rest of the single guys his age – he chose to take on his 3 children, 7 and 8 year old girls and a 13 year old boy to raise them as a single dad. He decided to be the mother and father – probably the most difficult role he could ever take on. Not that it’s not hard enough raising a 13 year old boy on your own, but he could never imagine the unreal challenges he would come to face raising two amazingly beautiful girls. With that he opened his home to his teenage nephew, his brother’s son, to try and give whatever he could. And he did all of this without ever expecting anything in return. I’m sure there were many times he was terrified and in fear, but never once did he show us any signs of weakness. He stayed by our sides, more present than any average parent. He provided for us by working as hard as he could but yet I always remember him there. He guided and loved us hard – kept us safe and made us strong. We couldn’t have asked for a better father, provider, teacher, everything. This is why my heart is so heavy. My sisters are broken. My daughters and nieces are so hurt. This man is the rock that built my family. You could truly never really know.
These words are just words. I can’t really describe who this man truly is and what he has done for my sisters and me….. and our daughters. He’s just as an amazing grandfather as he is a father. I wish I could give all of you my heart for just a moment to understand the love and pain I’m enduring both at the same time. I’m not ready for this and he isn’t either.
He’s a humble man. He raised a humble son. It hurts me but will hurt him even more to have to ask all of you for help. He’s never one who wanted handouts for him or his children. As I mentioned, he worked hard, very hard to provide for us. I just know I have no choice.
The Diagnosis
Last week the most unbelievable indescribable pain stabbed me in my chest. The moment the doctor walked in the room – I somehow already felt it. I already knew. I think he did too. I couldn’t stand to think of my sisters hearing the words. Then she spoke. The words felt like knives in my stomach, in my chest. It was like a dream. Then the worst came. “It’s uncurable.” How could she say that! I swear I could have punched the doc right there for even mentioning that in front of him. Chemo would only temporarily help – basically prolonging while making him horribly sick. He’ll be throwing up daily and will get so weak he will barely be able to walk. But he didn’t let us see him down. He won’t let me see him scared. He still smiles. Just like when we were kids. But I know he’s terrified.
I’ve never seen my father sick – ever. My father doesn’t get sick. He’s healthy. It just wasn’t real. So I decided to look for alternatives. I have no other choice. I need to give this all I have – for my Pa, for my sisters, my daughters and nieces, for me. I need him still. I’m not ready to just give up and I know he isn’t either.
Treatment
I found an unconventional option – I haven’t slept in days. I’ve done hours and hours of research. Many of you may think I’m crazy but ask yourself if this was your mother or father and they told you there was no cure – what would you do? What lengths would you go to – to save them? What if it was your child? This is the same passionate love. My sister has been nonstop crying. She can’t bear the thought of one day without him. It’s too soon. So I found an alternative treatment. Is it proven? No – but it’s just as proven as chemo and basically, they told us there is no chance at this point. So I’m going to take this chance. If I have to give up my home, my car, sell my bike, whatever it takes to keep him here – I’ll do it without a thought. However, I’m afraid it won’t be enough – fast enough.
The treatment is a 6 month homeopathic program but is in Arizona. The cost is $28,000 which is due on the day I take him there to the treatment facility. I'm trying to fly out asap. This is the absolute best option for him. I’ve read countless testimonials of people who have recovered. It’s his only hope. But I needed him there yesterday. My sisters needed him there yesterday. His granddaughters needed him there yesterday. Please – help me keep try to keep our hero, our superman here. Thank you everyone – this will never ever be forgotten. And I’m only certain, your kindness won’t go unrewarded – if I’m unable to repay you in my lifetime, I’m sure God won’t miss you.
As many of you may know by my recent posts, my best friend, the person who means the absolute world to me, the person who has brought me into this world, my father, my hero – has been ill and recently hospitalized. What you may not know and what I’m forced to now share and completely without his consent, is that my dad has just been diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer.
Henry Vazquez – Our Hero
Life for me and my sisters was a blessing. For those of you that do not know my father, you haven’t had the privilege of knowing one of the most amazing men in this world. When my father was just a young man himself, at the prime age of 35, he took on parenthood alone. Instead of hitting the bars, dating, and hanging out like the rest of the single guys his age – he chose to take on his 3 children, 7 and 8 year old girls and a 13 year old boy to raise them as a single dad. He decided to be the mother and father – probably the most difficult role he could ever take on. Not that it’s not hard enough raising a 13 year old boy on your own, but he could never imagine the unreal challenges he would come to face raising two amazingly beautiful girls. With that he opened his home to his teenage nephew, his brother’s son, to try and give whatever he could. And he did all of this without ever expecting anything in return. I’m sure there were many times he was terrified and in fear, but never once did he show us any signs of weakness. He stayed by our sides, more present than any average parent. He provided for us by working as hard as he could but yet I always remember him there. He guided and loved us hard – kept us safe and made us strong. We couldn’t have asked for a better father, provider, teacher, everything. This is why my heart is so heavy. My sisters are broken. My daughters and nieces are so hurt. This man is the rock that built my family. You could truly never really know.
These words are just words. I can’t really describe who this man truly is and what he has done for my sisters and me….. and our daughters. He’s just as an amazing grandfather as he is a father. I wish I could give all of you my heart for just a moment to understand the love and pain I’m enduring both at the same time. I’m not ready for this and he isn’t either.
He’s a humble man. He raised a humble son. It hurts me but will hurt him even more to have to ask all of you for help. He’s never one who wanted handouts for him or his children. As I mentioned, he worked hard, very hard to provide for us. I just know I have no choice.
The Diagnosis
Last week the most unbelievable indescribable pain stabbed me in my chest. The moment the doctor walked in the room – I somehow already felt it. I already knew. I think he did too. I couldn’t stand to think of my sisters hearing the words. Then she spoke. The words felt like knives in my stomach, in my chest. It was like a dream. Then the worst came. “It’s uncurable.” How could she say that! I swear I could have punched the doc right there for even mentioning that in front of him. Chemo would only temporarily help – basically prolonging while making him horribly sick. He’ll be throwing up daily and will get so weak he will barely be able to walk. But he didn’t let us see him down. He won’t let me see him scared. He still smiles. Just like when we were kids. But I know he’s terrified.
I’ve never seen my father sick – ever. My father doesn’t get sick. He’s healthy. It just wasn’t real. So I decided to look for alternatives. I have no other choice. I need to give this all I have – for my Pa, for my sisters, my daughters and nieces, for me. I need him still. I’m not ready to just give up and I know he isn’t either.
Treatment
I found an unconventional option – I haven’t slept in days. I’ve done hours and hours of research. Many of you may think I’m crazy but ask yourself if this was your mother or father and they told you there was no cure – what would you do? What lengths would you go to – to save them? What if it was your child? This is the same passionate love. My sister has been nonstop crying. She can’t bear the thought of one day without him. It’s too soon. So I found an alternative treatment. Is it proven? No – but it’s just as proven as chemo and basically, they told us there is no chance at this point. So I’m going to take this chance. If I have to give up my home, my car, sell my bike, whatever it takes to keep him here – I’ll do it without a thought. However, I’m afraid it won’t be enough – fast enough.
The treatment is a 6 month homeopathic program but is in Arizona. The cost is $28,000 which is due on the day I take him there to the treatment facility. I'm trying to fly out asap. This is the absolute best option for him. I’ve read countless testimonials of people who have recovered. It’s his only hope. But I needed him there yesterday. My sisters needed him there yesterday. His granddaughters needed him there yesterday. Please – help me keep try to keep our hero, our superman here. Thank you everyone – this will never ever be forgotten. And I’m only certain, your kindness won’t go unrewarded – if I’m unable to repay you in my lifetime, I’m sure God won’t miss you.
Organizer
Henry Vazquez Jr
Organizer
Berwyn, IL
