On August 17th my family received the news that my dad, my hero, has stage 3 Squamous Cell Carcinoma (lung cancer). It took weeks of further testing to determine the appropriate treatment plan. For now, and the next 6 weeks moving forward, he will need to travel to Brewer Monday-Friday for both Chemo and Radiation. That is 120 miles per day round trip, 600 miles a week. During this time, my step mother will also be taking time off each day to travel with him, and there will be no compensation for her missed time at work. She is the primary wage earner in the home.
As if living in a pandemic wasn’t hard enough,It has made it impossible for me to be there for my dad and step mom the way I want to be. It has kept my sister away, as she lives in SC and I can’t go to appointments, I have to meet them in the parking lot for updates and to pass along my words of strength and encouragement. It’s so hard to have to drive away knowing that he is in the building, undergoing this treatment to hopefully save his life and I can’t be there with him. He has been there for me in the absolute hardest times in my life, never giving up on me and never leaving my side, and now I just want to do that for him.
They would NEVER ask anyone for help, but would be the first to give it to anyone that needed it. That is why I want to set this up for them,and try and give them a little financial peace ofmind during this time. Take one less worry off of their plate. Asking for help of any kind is so hard, and I understand being the one on the receiving end that needed the help. Having beenthrough this with my son Jaxon, I know how asking is so hard, but when I tell you that the peace of mind not having to worry financially for alittle bit, even just for the simple things like groceries, gas, etc. what an amazing gift that was. I want to do the same for them.
I ask that you please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. That you send all your healing vibes to them and that you take this as a reminder that the things that are most important in life, aren’t things.