Dennis Needs a Comfortable Bed
Donation protected
I am starting this go-fund-me campaign to help out our dear friend Dennis Thomas so that he can get a comfortable bed. Specifically one of those Sleep-Number beds. He had already researched what it would cost but he just can’t afford it right now ($2,000 complete). But I was thinking if we all put some money together we can help him! He doesn’t know I am doing this but soon the secret will be out!
As you all know, at the end of Jan 2014, Dennis was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma of the abdomen and bone marrow. This is his third bout with cancer. Initially, the plan was for an aggressive regimen of chemo over 8 months, with a week to ten days of inpatient treatment, followed by two to three weeks of recovery before the next round. The first setback occurred when the first "cocktail" turned out to be the wrong consistency for his cancer, so he had to start over. Then there was a series of blood infections that slowed the treatments and required an extension of the length of the rest periods.
Cancer and chemotherapy cause your body to reject you, leading to a constant battle of swings in weight, appetite, energy, motivation and mood. He is in constant pain most of the time.
All along, he has continued to work part time, ensuring that his sales accounts are supported and his customers' needs are met. He's done his best to present a strong face to his friends and family, especially on Facebook, but facing death square in the face ... for a third time ... will cause even the strongest person to doubt whether or not the fight is worth the pain.
And yet he has made it through. Through the sickness, and the sleeplessness. Through the messiest of times when his body doesn't want to act properly. Through the excruciatingly painful days that seem to go on and on.
Now he's in the homestretch of his final round, looking not only toward winning his third gold medal against The Big C, but also starting a fresh new life with a new partner who has been beside him through these last 16+ months, despite living 2300 miles away. They are planning to move in together this July, in California, and embark on the second half of their lives, together.
But right now Dennis is in PAIN. I know he would NEVER ask for all of us to do this but I do know he really wants and needs a comfortable bed so that he can get through these next few weeks/months of treatment in relative comfort. He’s tired. He needs a bed that will allow him to get some sleep. He needs his body to rest so it can continue the fight. Let’s do it!
As you all know, at the end of Jan 2014, Dennis was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma of the abdomen and bone marrow. This is his third bout with cancer. Initially, the plan was for an aggressive regimen of chemo over 8 months, with a week to ten days of inpatient treatment, followed by two to three weeks of recovery before the next round. The first setback occurred when the first "cocktail" turned out to be the wrong consistency for his cancer, so he had to start over. Then there was a series of blood infections that slowed the treatments and required an extension of the length of the rest periods.
Cancer and chemotherapy cause your body to reject you, leading to a constant battle of swings in weight, appetite, energy, motivation and mood. He is in constant pain most of the time.
All along, he has continued to work part time, ensuring that his sales accounts are supported and his customers' needs are met. He's done his best to present a strong face to his friends and family, especially on Facebook, but facing death square in the face ... for a third time ... will cause even the strongest person to doubt whether or not the fight is worth the pain.
And yet he has made it through. Through the sickness, and the sleeplessness. Through the messiest of times when his body doesn't want to act properly. Through the excruciatingly painful days that seem to go on and on.
Now he's in the homestretch of his final round, looking not only toward winning his third gold medal against The Big C, but also starting a fresh new life with a new partner who has been beside him through these last 16+ months, despite living 2300 miles away. They are planning to move in together this July, in California, and embark on the second half of their lives, together.
But right now Dennis is in PAIN. I know he would NEVER ask for all of us to do this but I do know he really wants and needs a comfortable bed so that he can get through these next few weeks/months of treatment in relative comfort. He’s tired. He needs a bed that will allow him to get some sleep. He needs his body to rest so it can continue the fight. Let’s do it!
Organizer
Gary Costa
Organizer
Palm Springs, CA
