Benefit For My Dad - John L

Well, More has Been Revealed...Again.

Most of my internal cancers have been beaten back, some wholly and some partially, which is, of course, the good news of the last couple months. 
But, As I knew from the beginning, this is a usually incurable type of cancer that likes to travel about.

I have a significant growth in C- 7 ( Neck spine) and a smaller growth in T-3 ( upper thoracic spine) which are going to be treated with radiation.
So Off I go! ( I must remember to get my snow tires on!)

I will be getting radiation treatment in Seattle, all of next week, and the week after. Ten days of sessions...and of course ten days of living in a hotel... And right in the middle of hunting season, too boot!

After the radiation, we will do another PET scan ( about a month from now) , and also harvest "T" cells, ( whatever they are.)
The T cells are shipped somewhere, to be processed and mutated, and then reintroduced into me via IV every month, this is called immunotherapy. It lets your immune system attack the cancer cells.

I really don't know that much about it.

My daughter is going to revamp my GoFundMe page to reflect these events. I am so grateful for all of you who have helped me make these travels..Virginia Mason is one of the top 50 hospitals in the US, I am so glad they are there, and their cutting edge cancer treatment.
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I will preface this by acknowledging that this might read as a child wrote it. And that’s because no matter how old I am, I will always look to my father like I did when I was four. Admiring and in awe; trusting and doted on.

If you have ever had the chance to meet my dad, you will know where I got my handsome looks. As well you will understand why I adore him so much. He has managed to navigate life with wit and a full head of hair, and in his later years has perfected the art of the white beard.

My dad is John Lynch, logger stock from North Idaho, God’s Country. He’s a tough codger, who has taught me at least 89% of what I claim to know. He was my original Google and often remains as such. I find him to be more reliable than the internet most of the time.

He could use your help right now, my dad, specifically. In recent weeks the news was confirmed that he has a treatable, but not curable, rare form of cancer. So rare in fact, that 12,000 people have been diagnosed with it. Right now, the facts I believe to be true are that it has invaded his esophagus, small intestine, lymph nodes, liver, and bones. There is no real cause for it, other than radicals. This is not because of lifestyle choices, but simple facts of fate.

He is talented like very few people I have met, greeting hobbies with ease and studying what intrigues him. He makes the very best chocolate chip cookies in the world and a mean pie. Although I am not a fan of mincemeat, I hear those who enjoy it are enamored by his. He crochets – yes, you read that right. And gardening is in his blood, and thus, mine. He grew up with an out-house. And a wonderful group of brothers and sisters, and parents who, although equally talented, witty, and handsome, did not master the white beard. Shhhh… I think one of my uncles dyes his.

Dad hunts, fishes, camps, sings cowboy songs. He taught me how to swear – go ahead, try me. He is a loving father who probably loves me more than I will ever know. I know that if you really know me, you know how much I love my dad. He has singlehandedly (well, with help from some, I am sure – and talk therapy, possibly) taken more shit and heartache from me than many parents could endure. And he has done it successfully, lovingly, and without question. See, I was a good little kid, a raging teen, terrible in my late twenties, still fourteen in my thirties, and just now, at 41, I am tolerable.  He really is a wonderful dad, and I still have so much to learn from him.

My dad has friends from all over the world, like many scholars of life. See, he gave up spirits roughly 30 years ago. And in doing that, regained his own spirit, and made a wonderful group of friends. Through these friendships, he has become a better friend and father. Offering help when needed, he is often-times found schlepping something for someone or taking a call from a practical stranger. He does this because service is essential to him – with passion comes purpose.

He has excellent docs at Virginia Mason in Seattle, and they have set his PICC-line for the chemo he has just started. There is also talk of immunotherapy in the future, and docs are hopeful as his markers show his body should respond to treatments. 

Here comes the part where I ask. I don’t want my dad to worry about having to work his 65-year-old ass off as hard as he does. I mean, he is a tough codger, but I know many of us would like to see him without busting himself anymore. He will not be able to work as much as he has been due to treatments, and the expense of traveling to and from Seattle will be a strain on top of not working as much. Travel alone is roughly $1,000 a trip, which he will need to make every three weeks (roughly), and there will be multiple trips throughout the summer, and possibly more. 

It’s not his first rodeo, although his pony of choice has never really been a pony, but rather runs-ins with industrial equipment, ladders, and an occasional misplaced piece of lead. There are stories there, but I would probably hose them up. He’s the storyteller, after all. I am hopeful of getting some concerts in with him. We have always talked Dave Matthews, but more recently, John Prine has been on our radar.

Honestly, what I am most hopeful for is to ease his stress. Not only is this terrifying, but it will also be emotionally and physically enduring. Our family is tight-knit. We are in this together, but could certainly use any support you are able to provide. It’s a hard thing to ask for, considering the state of things for so many, but I want to take some of the secondary burdens off of him. We’re a tough lot, us Lynches, and we have fight.

I might have the facts a little muddled. It can be expected when the rug you have been delicately standing on for almost two weeks gets ripped out from under you. I will update, and add admins to help with updates when I have a chance or know any changes.

Thank you for reading this and learning about my dad and what he is going through. I am sure if you are able to help that whatever help you offer will be appreciated beyond understanding.

If you are not into GFM, or another platform is easier to donate for you, here is the link to my venmo and paypal. 

https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2662040107745280420 

https://www.paypal.me/DestinyKLynch  

More will be revealed – so they say.