Anyone who knows Barry Dodd will attribute to his kind and generous heart, his work ethic and his positive attitude for life.
In October 2018, just 3 weeks after his 7th grandchild was born, Barry was diagnosed with Myleofibrosis, a rare form of leukaemia. At the time, he was a father to 4 children, grandfather to 8 grandchildren, had been working for the school division for over 25 years and running his own maintenance company. The diagnosis was very hard to accept as he was an avid outdoorsman, camper, fisherman and very healthy man. Every weekend he was either hiking mountains, out catching fish or spending time cooking for his family.
In May 2019, Barry and Christine moved to Calgary to seek treatment at the Cancer clinic. He underwent a successful stem cell transplant thanks to an anonymous donor, in which we are forever grateful. Although he had his ups and downs in recovery, overall he was doing tremendous. The doctors were astounded in his progress but his family didn’t expect otherwise - he is superman. A bone marrow biopsy on August 18 confirmed that he was cancer free! What a glorious day. All the chemo, radiation and painful side effects from the transplant were worth it!
Barry was released from Calgary on August 21 to his home in Drayton Valley. Within a day of being home, he fell ill. On August 23, he spent the morning having breakfast with his daughter, son in law and 2 grandchildren. One minute he was outside walking out to the garden, the next he was coughing until he couldn’t breathe. He was rushed to the U of A hospital and put on oxygen. He was immediately admitted and within 48 hours was moved down to ICU. After numerous tests, he was diagnosed with “graft versus host” disease (which is his new stem cells from the transplant attacking an organ) and a bone marrow transplant related pneumonia which creeped in as his immune system was so compromised. He was put on life support and has been intubated for 8 days now. Currently on life support and in an induced coma, he is comfortable, which is all we can ask for at this point. Unfortunately, he knew the risks when he decided to go ahead with the bone marrow transplant because he wasn’t going down without a fight. This is a very rare type of leukaemia to begin with and the fact that his new stem cells attacked his lungs is also very unlikely so we are all very shocked.
Barry’s wife Christine, quit her job in October to be his full time caregiver and has been his life partner for over 30 years. I’m in awe of her strength throughout his journey considering a lot has been dropped in her lap all at once. Her husband is now on life support unsure of what tomorrow brings, she lives an hour and a half from the hospital and is driving to and from almost every day. I’m not kidding when I say her plate is very full; she rushed home at 10:00pm to mow the lawn using her car headlights last night. I am hoping that we can come together and help ease one of the burdens Christine is currently bearing: the financials. Barry is very well known in our community for being a smiling face, a helping hand, a “give anyone the shirt off his back” kind of guy. I know he would find comfort in knowing that she has one less thing to worry about and that his wife doesn’t have the stress of added expenses right now.
If anyone can pull through this, it’s Barry. He’s the strongest man ever (I’m sure ever daughter says that about their Dad but it’s true) and he will not go down without a fight. He survived a bone marrow transplant and didn’t beat those odds for nothing. He will always be my hero.
If Barry has touched your life in any way and you feel the need to give back, please do. Barry and Christine would never ask for help which is why I’ve decided to create this account (with the helpful push from many concerned friends of Barry’s). Give $5 to help with daily parking, give $20 to contribute to a tank of gas or a hotel. Whatever your heart feels called to donate to take care of Barry’s wife while she cares for him at this time.
This is not an easy post and has taken a lot of courage to do so. Not only is it hard to share our very personal journey but it is even harder to admit help is at consideration.
Thank you for much from the bottom of our hearts.
Barry’s 4 children: Melissa, Timothy, Brian and Codey
In October 2018, just 3 weeks after his 7th grandchild was born, Barry was diagnosed with Myleofibrosis, a rare form of leukaemia. At the time, he was a father to 4 children, grandfather to 8 grandchildren, had been working for the school division for over 25 years and running his own maintenance company. The diagnosis was very hard to accept as he was an avid outdoorsman, camper, fisherman and very healthy man. Every weekend he was either hiking mountains, out catching fish or spending time cooking for his family.
In May 2019, Barry and Christine moved to Calgary to seek treatment at the Cancer clinic. He underwent a successful stem cell transplant thanks to an anonymous donor, in which we are forever grateful. Although he had his ups and downs in recovery, overall he was doing tremendous. The doctors were astounded in his progress but his family didn’t expect otherwise - he is superman. A bone marrow biopsy on August 18 confirmed that he was cancer free! What a glorious day. All the chemo, radiation and painful side effects from the transplant were worth it!
Barry was released from Calgary on August 21 to his home in Drayton Valley. Within a day of being home, he fell ill. On August 23, he spent the morning having breakfast with his daughter, son in law and 2 grandchildren. One minute he was outside walking out to the garden, the next he was coughing until he couldn’t breathe. He was rushed to the U of A hospital and put on oxygen. He was immediately admitted and within 48 hours was moved down to ICU. After numerous tests, he was diagnosed with “graft versus host” disease (which is his new stem cells from the transplant attacking an organ) and a bone marrow transplant related pneumonia which creeped in as his immune system was so compromised. He was put on life support and has been intubated for 8 days now. Currently on life support and in an induced coma, he is comfortable, which is all we can ask for at this point. Unfortunately, he knew the risks when he decided to go ahead with the bone marrow transplant because he wasn’t going down without a fight. This is a very rare type of leukaemia to begin with and the fact that his new stem cells attacked his lungs is also very unlikely so we are all very shocked.
Barry’s wife Christine, quit her job in October to be his full time caregiver and has been his life partner for over 30 years. I’m in awe of her strength throughout his journey considering a lot has been dropped in her lap all at once. Her husband is now on life support unsure of what tomorrow brings, she lives an hour and a half from the hospital and is driving to and from almost every day. I’m not kidding when I say her plate is very full; she rushed home at 10:00pm to mow the lawn using her car headlights last night. I am hoping that we can come together and help ease one of the burdens Christine is currently bearing: the financials. Barry is very well known in our community for being a smiling face, a helping hand, a “give anyone the shirt off his back” kind of guy. I know he would find comfort in knowing that she has one less thing to worry about and that his wife doesn’t have the stress of added expenses right now.
If anyone can pull through this, it’s Barry. He’s the strongest man ever (I’m sure ever daughter says that about their Dad but it’s true) and he will not go down without a fight. He survived a bone marrow transplant and didn’t beat those odds for nothing. He will always be my hero.
If Barry has touched your life in any way and you feel the need to give back, please do. Barry and Christine would never ask for help which is why I’ve decided to create this account (with the helpful push from many concerned friends of Barry’s). Give $5 to help with daily parking, give $20 to contribute to a tank of gas or a hotel. Whatever your heart feels called to donate to take care of Barry’s wife while she cares for him at this time.
This is not an easy post and has taken a lot of courage to do so. Not only is it hard to share our very personal journey but it is even harder to admit help is at consideration.
Thank you for much from the bottom of our hearts.
Barry’s 4 children: Melissa, Timothy, Brian and Codey