Cancer Can’t Kill Hope

My father raised me as a single Dad. He read me bedtime stories, calmed my fears, bandaged my cuts, protected me from “monsters” and provided for all my needs. Never would I have imagined that as an adult, the tables would be turned when we (my daughter and I) found out that he was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We found out during the Christmas week of 2017 when he was required to stay in the hospital for two weeks due to his dangerously low blood levels. Visiting my Daddy with my daughter Christmas Day with a mask on and then later trying to explain to a six year old why Abuelo can’t play with you right now was the start of trying and difficult experiences. Since then, he’s been in the hospital a month after several painful bone marrow biopsies, chemo treatments and many blood transfusions. While in the hospital, his boss from work at TSI Trucks for 15+ years sends a letter to him stating they were terminating him and no longer going to pay for his health insurance. Although hurt by this, my father did not lose hope...although things seemed bleak.People don’t talk about the other side of cancer...the side where the bills keep mounting, but the funds are depleting. Dad’s applied to many financial assistance programs that have been suggested by others, but still no word back as to a “yes” or a “no”. With the health insurance, medical bills, mortgage payments, car payments, electric and more to be paid, my Dad said to me yesterday that he possibly has enough money from savings to hold him for two more months...but there’s 5months more to go with a lung surgery Aug.24th and then a bone marrow transplant after he recovers from surgery.“Don’t lose hope, Daddy. I’m praying for a miracle. It’s going to be ok. I love you.” I’m getting married next year...I pray and hope to have my Daddy walk me down the aisle. Please, can you give a little hope?