Terry's Medical Assistance
Donation protected
My Name is Robin. This is a story about my amazing husband Terry! Some of you have been on this Journey with us. Some of you may be hearing of this for the first time. Regardless, Thank you for taking the time to read and share our story.
When Terry was 18 he was diagonosed with Ewing's Scaroma. This was 1984 and the survial rate at that time was 3%. The cancer was in his right hip. It was removed and he under went Chemo and Radiation. He also recieved an artificial hip and femour at that time as well.
All was not well when it spread to his lung and recieved further radiation. The radiation was given left lung - mid line. Despite all odds, he beat cancer and has been cancer free for 32 years!
Since his diagnosis Terry has particpated in the Terry Fox Run Annually. Even when work sent him around the world, he still particpated. This year will be the first that he can not participate in. I will be particiapting in his place and he will complete the walk when he is able to.
The same treatment that saved his life in 1984 is taking it today. The radiation he received when his cancer spread also damaged his heart. He jokes, that he loved me so much that i damaged his heart (Those who know me are laughing because there may some truth).
Terry has been in and out of the hospital since July 2015 ( Mostly in) while his Doctors do everything they can to help him and his heart. In the spring his cardiologist recemmended transferring Terry's case to a different team. At this point approx 100lbs of fluid had been removed and the damage to his heart was becoming clearer. Terry was transferred to the transplant team for care. The new team confirmed Terry was in end stage Heart failure.
Since the spring the transplant team worked to remove another 70 lbs of fluid from his body. In July, we learned the process of removing the fluid irriated his kidneys and they stoped working requiring dialysis 24/7 for about 10 days. Now we receive dialysis 3-4 days a week.
During our CVICU stay in July, Terry's pronossis became black and white. He requires a new heart. Without a Heart Tranplant he will have only months to live. Organs are scarse and only the healthiest patiets receive them. The Trasplant team is still evaluating whether Terry will be a candidate
What does this all mean? The stress of having to deal with your mortaility for the 2nd time in your life is a level of stress I wish no one ever has to endure! Adding to that stress, not being able to work. Terry has not worked since August 2015 (He is an Oil patch computer geek). We are hoping Terry's health will improve so that perhaps he can work a few days a week while he awaits a new heart. I am also self employeed and thankful that my career has allowed me time with him as not only his caregiver but ensure I am by his side as his wife. However this flexability has also meant I have not been working consistantly either.
Many friends have asked what they can do to help and so we are now reaching out and asking for help by raising funds to supplement our living expenses while we wait for Terry's Heart ( I believe in the power of positive thinking). Should Terry be a transplant candiate, our future would likely include several months in Edmonton and a rigorous follow-up schedule afterward. The thing about organ transplant as I mentioend earlier is they are scarse. Meaning once his his officially on the list it could be days/weeks/months or even years. Because of this uncertainty, we are hoping to rasie 50K. Should God have other plans, funds rasied will be used to take care of him in his final months. Any funds we can not use will be donated equally to The Terry Fox Foundation and Alberta Heart and Stroke.
From the bottom of our hearts - Thank you for your consideration! He is my rock, my inspiration and all that is good in my life.
Robin
When Terry was 18 he was diagonosed with Ewing's Scaroma. This was 1984 and the survial rate at that time was 3%. The cancer was in his right hip. It was removed and he under went Chemo and Radiation. He also recieved an artificial hip and femour at that time as well.
All was not well when it spread to his lung and recieved further radiation. The radiation was given left lung - mid line. Despite all odds, he beat cancer and has been cancer free for 32 years!
Since his diagnosis Terry has particpated in the Terry Fox Run Annually. Even when work sent him around the world, he still particpated. This year will be the first that he can not participate in. I will be particiapting in his place and he will complete the walk when he is able to.
The same treatment that saved his life in 1984 is taking it today. The radiation he received when his cancer spread also damaged his heart. He jokes, that he loved me so much that i damaged his heart (Those who know me are laughing because there may some truth).
Terry has been in and out of the hospital since July 2015 ( Mostly in) while his Doctors do everything they can to help him and his heart. In the spring his cardiologist recemmended transferring Terry's case to a different team. At this point approx 100lbs of fluid had been removed and the damage to his heart was becoming clearer. Terry was transferred to the transplant team for care. The new team confirmed Terry was in end stage Heart failure.
Since the spring the transplant team worked to remove another 70 lbs of fluid from his body. In July, we learned the process of removing the fluid irriated his kidneys and they stoped working requiring dialysis 24/7 for about 10 days. Now we receive dialysis 3-4 days a week.
During our CVICU stay in July, Terry's pronossis became black and white. He requires a new heart. Without a Heart Tranplant he will have only months to live. Organs are scarse and only the healthiest patiets receive them. The Trasplant team is still evaluating whether Terry will be a candidate
What does this all mean? The stress of having to deal with your mortaility for the 2nd time in your life is a level of stress I wish no one ever has to endure! Adding to that stress, not being able to work. Terry has not worked since August 2015 (He is an Oil patch computer geek). We are hoping Terry's health will improve so that perhaps he can work a few days a week while he awaits a new heart. I am also self employeed and thankful that my career has allowed me time with him as not only his caregiver but ensure I am by his side as his wife. However this flexability has also meant I have not been working consistantly either.
Many friends have asked what they can do to help and so we are now reaching out and asking for help by raising funds to supplement our living expenses while we wait for Terry's Heart ( I believe in the power of positive thinking). Should Terry be a transplant candiate, our future would likely include several months in Edmonton and a rigorous follow-up schedule afterward. The thing about organ transplant as I mentioend earlier is they are scarse. Meaning once his his officially on the list it could be days/weeks/months or even years. Because of this uncertainty, we are hoping to rasie 50K. Should God have other plans, funds rasied will be used to take care of him in his final months. Any funds we can not use will be donated equally to The Terry Fox Foundation and Alberta Heart and Stroke.
From the bottom of our hearts - Thank you for your consideration! He is my rock, my inspiration and all that is good in my life.
Robin
Organizer
Robin Platz
Organizer
Okotoks, AB
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