Ben Hernandez's Warriors
Donation protected
Hello everyone! This isn't an easy thing to post. I have gone over how to post this so many times, I can barely think of words anymore. The time has come for us to share with everyone what my dad has been going through the last two months.
On August 28, 2018, My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer.
This day changed our family’s lives forever. Earlier that week he had gone into the ER for fatigue and not being able to eat properly - could not get the food all the way down. He was given the news of the tumor on the esophagus fully blocking the passage to the stomach. Along with that, a tumor of the same cancer had grown on his liver.
Immediately my dad went into treatment and on Saturday, October 20, 2018, he had completed 37 rounds of radiation and 6 full weeks of chemo treatment. This ended phase 1 of treatment with the hope that the esophageal tumor would completely shrink to allow my dad to eat.
As of November 14, 2018, the tumor growing on his esophagus has completely shrunk. While this is amazing news and he is able to eat again, the fight is far from being over - we were also given a timeline of life expectancy post Phase 2 of treatment.
Right now, my dad is facing a maximum of 16 months to live, if he follows an aggressive chemotherapy plan which would be in place until the end of his life.
For Phase 2 of treatment, we were told that there are now 5 masses currently on my dad's liver which would result in stronger chemo drugs at a longer duration than he originally endured, bringing along with it a magnitude of more pain and side effects. My dad went into phase 1 of treatment at full health and full weight and has now dropped down to 206 lbs. and is exhausted.
Those of you who know my dad know that he is very active and athletic and to see him have barely enough energy to stand is so hard to see.
At this point, after much thought and consideration, my dad has decided not to go through more chemo treatment. His body has been through so much, and while my dad is a fighter, there is only so much the body can take.
He has decided to pursue alternative natural treatment after much research and with seeing the success stories of others who followed this regiment. He is doing what he believes is best for his body.
Now comes where we need help. We are down to a single income and soon my mom won't have an income as she takes leave from work through the Family Medical Leave Act to give round-the-clock attention to my dad’s treatment. They believe this attention and care is crucial to his success with the natural therapies. However, this means zero income for the next 3 months for a family of 9 with 4 children still living at home.
While it is not easy to ask for money from people, this is the way everyone can help our family. We need help with living expenses, treatments, medical bills, and potential new housing.
Now, I want to say this. I believe that miracles still happen. I believe in the power of prayer. I believe that our God is bigger than any situation here on earth. I don’t believe that we only have 16 months left with our dad. I firmly believe there is a plan beyond that for his life. God's word is clear in Psalm 107:20 (MSG) "He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death." He has promised to complete the good work that He began in my dad. There are still many things for him to do and much life still to live with my mom and with the 7 of us.
If you can’t donate money, please don’t feel bad! Prayers, encouragement, and uplifting thoughts work wonders as well. We ask this as humbly as possible and with the understanding that times are hard for everyone.
We ask this for a man who has always been willing to sacrifice for others. A man who always puts his family before everything else. A man who has given the shirt off his back to give to someone who had nothing. A man who will spend hours with someone talking through marital problems, listening to the hardships of others, and working hard to make everyone’s lives easier and enjoyable. This man is our Superman.
If you find it in your heart to donate, thank you. Thank you for those of you who can only donate words and prayers.
If you leave any comments, my sisters, Daniella and Kasandra, and I will be filtering through and answering as many questions as we can and passing along any encouragement you have for our family. We are doing this out of respect for our parents so that they can focus on treatment.
Thank you again! Let’s get to fighting this fight because we know Who is fighting for him and for our family.
Deuteronomy 31:6
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
For our dad, we claim this promise from Isaiah 46:4
I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you.
To stay up to date with my dad's journey as well as contribute to the meal train, please visit this CaringBridge site:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tribeofbenjamin?fbclid=IwAR0qburnHIOaBirzP1fpV3eqCuEROoKV7r9O28n6SDsKF06xFU1foHML-8o
On August 28, 2018, My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer.
This day changed our family’s lives forever. Earlier that week he had gone into the ER for fatigue and not being able to eat properly - could not get the food all the way down. He was given the news of the tumor on the esophagus fully blocking the passage to the stomach. Along with that, a tumor of the same cancer had grown on his liver.
Immediately my dad went into treatment and on Saturday, October 20, 2018, he had completed 37 rounds of radiation and 6 full weeks of chemo treatment. This ended phase 1 of treatment with the hope that the esophageal tumor would completely shrink to allow my dad to eat.
As of November 14, 2018, the tumor growing on his esophagus has completely shrunk. While this is amazing news and he is able to eat again, the fight is far from being over - we were also given a timeline of life expectancy post Phase 2 of treatment.
Right now, my dad is facing a maximum of 16 months to live, if he follows an aggressive chemotherapy plan which would be in place until the end of his life.
For Phase 2 of treatment, we were told that there are now 5 masses currently on my dad's liver which would result in stronger chemo drugs at a longer duration than he originally endured, bringing along with it a magnitude of more pain and side effects. My dad went into phase 1 of treatment at full health and full weight and has now dropped down to 206 lbs. and is exhausted.
Those of you who know my dad know that he is very active and athletic and to see him have barely enough energy to stand is so hard to see.
At this point, after much thought and consideration, my dad has decided not to go through more chemo treatment. His body has been through so much, and while my dad is a fighter, there is only so much the body can take.
He has decided to pursue alternative natural treatment after much research and with seeing the success stories of others who followed this regiment. He is doing what he believes is best for his body.
Now comes where we need help. We are down to a single income and soon my mom won't have an income as she takes leave from work through the Family Medical Leave Act to give round-the-clock attention to my dad’s treatment. They believe this attention and care is crucial to his success with the natural therapies. However, this means zero income for the next 3 months for a family of 9 with 4 children still living at home.
While it is not easy to ask for money from people, this is the way everyone can help our family. We need help with living expenses, treatments, medical bills, and potential new housing.
Now, I want to say this. I believe that miracles still happen. I believe in the power of prayer. I believe that our God is bigger than any situation here on earth. I don’t believe that we only have 16 months left with our dad. I firmly believe there is a plan beyond that for his life. God's word is clear in Psalm 107:20 (MSG) "He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death." He has promised to complete the good work that He began in my dad. There are still many things for him to do and much life still to live with my mom and with the 7 of us.
If you can’t donate money, please don’t feel bad! Prayers, encouragement, and uplifting thoughts work wonders as well. We ask this as humbly as possible and with the understanding that times are hard for everyone.
We ask this for a man who has always been willing to sacrifice for others. A man who always puts his family before everything else. A man who has given the shirt off his back to give to someone who had nothing. A man who will spend hours with someone talking through marital problems, listening to the hardships of others, and working hard to make everyone’s lives easier and enjoyable. This man is our Superman.
If you find it in your heart to donate, thank you. Thank you for those of you who can only donate words and prayers.
If you leave any comments, my sisters, Daniella and Kasandra, and I will be filtering through and answering as many questions as we can and passing along any encouragement you have for our family. We are doing this out of respect for our parents so that they can focus on treatment.
Thank you again! Let’s get to fighting this fight because we know Who is fighting for him and for our family.
Deuteronomy 31:6
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
For our dad, we claim this promise from Isaiah 46:4
I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you.
To stay up to date with my dad's journey as well as contribute to the meal train, please visit this CaringBridge site:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tribeofbenjamin?fbclid=IwAR0qburnHIOaBirzP1fpV3eqCuEROoKV7r9O28n6SDsKF06xFU1foHML-8o
Organizer and beneficiary
Sonora Raquel
Organizer
Watkinsville, GA
Gina Hernandez
Beneficiary
