Justin's Medical Fund
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I am raising money to help my brother, Justin Weidow to pay for his medical bills and other expenses on his road to recovery.
If you know Justin you know how tough and stubborn he is. Justin is an avid bow hunter and fisherman who loves the outdoors. Being the oldest of 8 kids he practically raised me, his youngest sister. He has been a compassionate role model and support to his family all of his life.
Doctors were not an option growing up and even if they were Justin would rather just "tough it out". He started feeling sick over a year ago but pushed through. He successfully got his own business license this spring and hadn't had the chance to set up health insurance yet. Finally, after he was to the point he could no longer work a full day on the construction site, he was convinced by family and friends to see a local doctor. When he eventually did his blood results were not good. They did multiple highly expensive blood tests, and multiple imaging tests, which all came back negative. Next was the bone marrow biopsy to test for leukemia. That too came back negative. Weeks went by between tests and Justin got more and more sick each day.
On Tuesday, August 16th Justin Weidow, after going to yet another appointment, he was admitted to Community Medical Center’s ICU in Missoula Montana. His liver, kidneys, and spleen were failing. The first attempt at a lymph-node biopsy from the neck was unsuccessful. His lymphatic system lit up on the PET scan but he was too weak for surgery Thursday morning. After a paracentesis was preformed, which took off 3.6 liters of fluid from around his stomach, there was a bit of temporary relief. They successfully removed a 5 cm lymph-node from his armpit.
Justin was life-flighted to Seattle on Thursday August 18th for a liver transplant. I waslucky enough to be with him for the trip over and stay with him for a few days. He was in the ICU at University of Washington Medical Center for 2 days. The transplant was not done because his liver was not the main problem. Scan after scan, blood draw after blood draw, IV's, blood transfusions, you name it, they did it. Finally he was stable enough to be moved to the oncology unit. After four days of waiting for the biopsy, the pathologist finally started testing on Monday evening. Each day the doctors came to reassure him they were searching for an answer.
Today, Thursday, August 25th, Justin Weidow was diagnosed with nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma, stage 4, with a 50% prognosis. Although he is not well enough he will start chemotherapy tomorrow.
His caring mother, Eileen, has been by his side since the beginning. She cared for him at home when he could no longer work, has taken him to his appointments, and remains attentive to him since he was first moved to the cancer floor at UW. She plans to stay by his side, sleeping, eating and living at the hospital until he is well enough to come home.
My goal is to raise $50,000. All proceeds will go towards medical bills. If there is any remaining it will go to Justin to aid his recovery. It's important to me that I do whatever I can to help Justin during this hard time in his life as he has helped me so many times in mine. He is the best big brother any kid could ask for. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this, to donate or to send positive thoughts or prays his way.
If you know Justin you know how tough and stubborn he is. Justin is an avid bow hunter and fisherman who loves the outdoors. Being the oldest of 8 kids he practically raised me, his youngest sister. He has been a compassionate role model and support to his family all of his life.
Doctors were not an option growing up and even if they were Justin would rather just "tough it out". He started feeling sick over a year ago but pushed through. He successfully got his own business license this spring and hadn't had the chance to set up health insurance yet. Finally, after he was to the point he could no longer work a full day on the construction site, he was convinced by family and friends to see a local doctor. When he eventually did his blood results were not good. They did multiple highly expensive blood tests, and multiple imaging tests, which all came back negative. Next was the bone marrow biopsy to test for leukemia. That too came back negative. Weeks went by between tests and Justin got more and more sick each day.
On Tuesday, August 16th Justin Weidow, after going to yet another appointment, he was admitted to Community Medical Center’s ICU in Missoula Montana. His liver, kidneys, and spleen were failing. The first attempt at a lymph-node biopsy from the neck was unsuccessful. His lymphatic system lit up on the PET scan but he was too weak for surgery Thursday morning. After a paracentesis was preformed, which took off 3.6 liters of fluid from around his stomach, there was a bit of temporary relief. They successfully removed a 5 cm lymph-node from his armpit.
Justin was life-flighted to Seattle on Thursday August 18th for a liver transplant. I waslucky enough to be with him for the trip over and stay with him for a few days. He was in the ICU at University of Washington Medical Center for 2 days. The transplant was not done because his liver was not the main problem. Scan after scan, blood draw after blood draw, IV's, blood transfusions, you name it, they did it. Finally he was stable enough to be moved to the oncology unit. After four days of waiting for the biopsy, the pathologist finally started testing on Monday evening. Each day the doctors came to reassure him they were searching for an answer.
Today, Thursday, August 25th, Justin Weidow was diagnosed with nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma, stage 4, with a 50% prognosis. Although he is not well enough he will start chemotherapy tomorrow.
His caring mother, Eileen, has been by his side since the beginning. She cared for him at home when he could no longer work, has taken him to his appointments, and remains attentive to him since he was first moved to the cancer floor at UW. She plans to stay by his side, sleeping, eating and living at the hospital until he is well enough to come home.
My goal is to raise $50,000. All proceeds will go towards medical bills. If there is any remaining it will go to Justin to aid his recovery. It's important to me that I do whatever I can to help Justin during this hard time in his life as he has helped me so many times in mine. He is the best big brother any kid could ask for. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this, to donate or to send positive thoughts or prays his way.
Organizer
Rula Weidow
Organizer
Hamilton, MT
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