Rick Whitney Medical Expenses

Rick Whitney, age 51, is known to many as Brother, Fiance', Dad, Uncle, Son and Great Friend, as some call him Gravy! Rick has always been an active man. Started work at an early age then put himself thru school to become an equipment mechanic. And has for the last 25 years been an over the road Truck Driver and that is his passion.

At the age of 34, he found he was a diabetic and has mostly keep it in control with his diet and medications when needed. Over the last few years, the medicine has not been enough so he is on daily medicine to keep in control.

Riding and cutting horses is also a passion of his. Running and caring for his animals gave him great enjoyment. At the age of 47, he had an accident on one of his mares and was thrown off, which resulted in a broke back. He was given treatment at the time but continues to hurt and have back pain everyday. But knowing Rick, he doesn't say anything, just smiles and keeps going.

Earlier in 2015, after noticing that more and more he was having trouble with muscle control, numbness and tingling in hands, arms and legs, he went to see a neurologist. After some testing, he found that he has a condition called Myotonia Dystrophy, which is the adult onset of Muscular Dystrophy. MD can effect the lungs, heart, speech, muscle control and muscle loss and nerve loss. There is yet to be a cure for this disease and very little known for management to slow it down. But we are ever hopeful, everyday for something to help.

All these set backs you would think could bring a strong person down, but he still goes about his everyday with a smile on his face, and ready for a good joke! Still reeling from this latest discovery and learning what we can, Rick was scheduled for a routine colonoscopy, at the time of turning his Big 50. Knowing this was to be a normal screening, his world was turned upside down upon learning cancer was found in colon. Surgery was needed immediately to remove. After more scans were done, it was also found that it was in lymph nodes and had mestastised into the liver.

Rick has completed 4 out of possible 6 chemo treatments to date and has handled them as any person who knows the pain and problems that chemo can invade upon the body and mind can handle. Now with the chemo invading his body, it has also triggered more issues with the Myotonic Dystrophy, accelerating the loss of muscle and rapid weight loss. Now the even more painful part of all this is the insurance, the medical bills, the loss of work and the loss of being able to care for himself. Even though on health insurance, certain tests, pet scans and medications are being denied. Without these tests and scans, we are not getting clear picture if the chemo is working or if the cancer from liver is spreading. In order to get these necessary scans and medications, he is having to pay full amount out of pocket. With his disability pay over and social security disability not yet approved, he is in a financial bind, as well the emotional toll on him.

This is where you, hopefully, can come in. Any donations and prayers by you, family and friends, will be so much appreciated. Any and everything will be used for all medical needs, such as tests, CT and pet scans, doctor evaluations, medications and bloodwork. Here's hoping for a true medical success for him and he can return to doing the things he loves.