Support for Ernie & Dana
Donation protected
Hi friends!
When I spoke with Dana yesterday to brainstorm ideas for support she insisted that they are fine, and talked about all of the plans they had to stay positive. But then she shared how, financially, this is pretty horrible timing.
So Katie & I decided to create an option for all of Ernie & Dana's family and friends who are wondering what they can do to help.
Here's the story in their words:
Hello Friends, Family and any FB friends that I have not had the pleasure of meeting face to face. You have all probably seen the post that my fiancee Dana Patrick has been posting on my behalf concerning the thyroid mass that was removed from my neck. The following is an update: About 3 weeks ago it was found to be cancer but at that point we weren't sure the extent and if in fact, it spread to the lymph nodes. Yesterday we went to University Hospital and met with a Thyroid cancer specialist along with a surgeon who by the Grace of God, I was referred to by some Very Special People. After meeting with the doctor and reviewing my PET scan, the diagnoses is Stage 4A Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid and it has spread to my lymph nodes. What that means is that I have some pretty bad stuff going on in my neck that will probably shorten my life to some extent. My life expectancy is yet to be determined but we are positive that it will be longer than anyone expects. I will need to go through yet another surgery that will take up to 8 hours. The surgery is called a modified functional neck dissection. They will remove any lymph nodes that are affected with cancer. The surgery will not take place for a couple months or so. During this time, there will be more test that need to be done and this will give my neck time to completely heal from the prior 6 hr surgery I had. After surgery, they will be giving me radioactive iodine therapy along with external beam radiation therapy plus a thyroid pill that fights any left over cancer before and after the surgery. As most of you know, I live my life one day at a time with Gods Grace. So I am living in the moment and enjoying the life that I have. Your prayers and lots of positive thoughts are appreciated.
When I spoke with Dana yesterday to brainstorm ideas for support she insisted that they are fine, and talked about all of the plans they had to stay positive. But then she shared how, financially, this is pretty horrible timing.
So Katie & I decided to create an option for all of Ernie & Dana's family and friends who are wondering what they can do to help.
Here's the story in their words:
Hello Friends, Family and any FB friends that I have not had the pleasure of meeting face to face. You have all probably seen the post that my fiancee Dana Patrick has been posting on my behalf concerning the thyroid mass that was removed from my neck. The following is an update: About 3 weeks ago it was found to be cancer but at that point we weren't sure the extent and if in fact, it spread to the lymph nodes. Yesterday we went to University Hospital and met with a Thyroid cancer specialist along with a surgeon who by the Grace of God, I was referred to by some Very Special People. After meeting with the doctor and reviewing my PET scan, the diagnoses is Stage 4A Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid and it has spread to my lymph nodes. What that means is that I have some pretty bad stuff going on in my neck that will probably shorten my life to some extent. My life expectancy is yet to be determined but we are positive that it will be longer than anyone expects. I will need to go through yet another surgery that will take up to 8 hours. The surgery is called a modified functional neck dissection. They will remove any lymph nodes that are affected with cancer. The surgery will not take place for a couple months or so. During this time, there will be more test that need to be done and this will give my neck time to completely heal from the prior 6 hr surgery I had. After surgery, they will be giving me radioactive iodine therapy along with external beam radiation therapy plus a thyroid pill that fights any left over cancer before and after the surgery. As most of you know, I live my life one day at a time with Gods Grace. So I am living in the moment and enjoying the life that I have. Your prayers and lots of positive thoughts are appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Pam Carter
Organizer
Littleton, CO
Dana Patrick
Beneficiary