Prayers & Support for Gene Emerson
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Around the holidays dad started getting exhausted and over Christmas, he was so fatigued that he started sleeping a lot (which, if you know our dad, he never does). He had so much pain throughout his entire body he could barely walk. Not being a complainer, he barely said a word - but in retrospect, we also know it was because he was so weak.
Up until Thursday, March 3rd, dad was working (we have no idea how, especially as he is self-employed) because on Friday, March 4th, he was rushed to the ER. He was in such poor condition that he had to have multiple blood transfusions and still the nurses couldn't even touch his body the pain he was in (and had been in for weeks) was so excruciating. After numerous, painful tests over three long days, and a biopsy on a kiwi-sized lump that formed in just two days on his clavicle, we were told those words that made our hearts stop, "Gene has cancer."
Our dad was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - but we didn't know to what exent so they ran even more tests. Andrea, after serving in the Florida National Guard deployment in Afghanistan for almost a year returned home on Thursday. And on Friday, March 11th we, now together as a family, were told that dad's cancer was Stage 4 (the worst it can get) and that it had spread from his lymphnodes, to his kidneys throughout the bones in his entire body (hence the excruciating pain) and even now, we don't know if it's spread to his nervous system and brain, that's how quickly it's spreading. Normally, with his type of lymphoma, there is a moderate chance of success with treatment but his is so widespread and advanced that doctors told us on Friday night that his chances are very low. You can only imagine our shock upon hearing the news.
Saturday morning we started aggressive chemo treatment for thirteen hours and again into Sunday all day when he also had to get another blood transfusion. Chemo is tough because it kills not only the bad cells but also the good cells but dad's body is already so weak, it's a very fine line to treat. Dad was supposed to get a lumbar puncture on Monday but his blood platelet count was so low they had to hold off. So now they're going to give him a couple of platelet infusions Wednesday morning and the spinal tap later in the day, if possible. Also, due to a new issue with his vision these past few days, he also had to have a CT scan this morning as well.
We have all been living in the hospital taking each day at a time, which essentially has been a roller coaster of emotions and new updates every couple of hours. It's been a blur processing all of this - of which I don't even think any of us have truly had a minute to let it all sink it, not even as we write this. Despite the odds, if you know our dad (Gene) at all then you know he is one of the most impressively stubborn men you'll ever meet and will not be going down without a fight. He has been fighting with all of his will and might these last few days and we are hopeful and optimistic and praying for the best.
As dad's hospital and medical needs continue to grow with each passing day, dad (Gene) and the family could use any financial support you can spare along with your prayers. As I mentioned above, he is self-employed and the provider for the family. He doesn't have that good of insurance, so now that he can't work, the bills and the stress are piling up on both him and mom.
The Emerson family thanks you from the bottom of their hearts for any prayers and support you can give. And of course, we'll continue to keep you posted as much as we can.
With all our love,
Nicholas and Andrea
P.S. Also, a lot of people have asked about coming to visit. And while we wholly appreciate the responses and outreach, our dad is in critical condition so 1.) it's hard for him to have visitors and talk to them energy-wise and 2.) his immune system is so low that we have to keep everything very sterile, so we can't bring in germs from outside. So for now, it's only immediate family, but we'll be sure to let you know when/if we can have visitors. Thank you so much for understanding and again, for all your love and support.
Up until Thursday, March 3rd, dad was working (we have no idea how, especially as he is self-employed) because on Friday, March 4th, he was rushed to the ER. He was in such poor condition that he had to have multiple blood transfusions and still the nurses couldn't even touch his body the pain he was in (and had been in for weeks) was so excruciating. After numerous, painful tests over three long days, and a biopsy on a kiwi-sized lump that formed in just two days on his clavicle, we were told those words that made our hearts stop, "Gene has cancer."
Our dad was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - but we didn't know to what exent so they ran even more tests. Andrea, after serving in the Florida National Guard deployment in Afghanistan for almost a year returned home on Thursday. And on Friday, March 11th we, now together as a family, were told that dad's cancer was Stage 4 (the worst it can get) and that it had spread from his lymphnodes, to his kidneys throughout the bones in his entire body (hence the excruciating pain) and even now, we don't know if it's spread to his nervous system and brain, that's how quickly it's spreading. Normally, with his type of lymphoma, there is a moderate chance of success with treatment but his is so widespread and advanced that doctors told us on Friday night that his chances are very low. You can only imagine our shock upon hearing the news.
Saturday morning we started aggressive chemo treatment for thirteen hours and again into Sunday all day when he also had to get another blood transfusion. Chemo is tough because it kills not only the bad cells but also the good cells but dad's body is already so weak, it's a very fine line to treat. Dad was supposed to get a lumbar puncture on Monday but his blood platelet count was so low they had to hold off. So now they're going to give him a couple of platelet infusions Wednesday morning and the spinal tap later in the day, if possible. Also, due to a new issue with his vision these past few days, he also had to have a CT scan this morning as well.
We have all been living in the hospital taking each day at a time, which essentially has been a roller coaster of emotions and new updates every couple of hours. It's been a blur processing all of this - of which I don't even think any of us have truly had a minute to let it all sink it, not even as we write this. Despite the odds, if you know our dad (Gene) at all then you know he is one of the most impressively stubborn men you'll ever meet and will not be going down without a fight. He has been fighting with all of his will and might these last few days and we are hopeful and optimistic and praying for the best.
As dad's hospital and medical needs continue to grow with each passing day, dad (Gene) and the family could use any financial support you can spare along with your prayers. As I mentioned above, he is self-employed and the provider for the family. He doesn't have that good of insurance, so now that he can't work, the bills and the stress are piling up on both him and mom.
The Emerson family thanks you from the bottom of their hearts for any prayers and support you can give. And of course, we'll continue to keep you posted as much as we can.
With all our love,
Nicholas and Andrea
P.S. Also, a lot of people have asked about coming to visit. And while we wholly appreciate the responses and outreach, our dad is in critical condition so 1.) it's hard for him to have visitors and talk to them energy-wise and 2.) his immune system is so low that we have to keep everything very sterile, so we can't bring in germs from outside. So for now, it's only immediate family, but we'll be sure to let you know when/if we can have visitors. Thank you so much for understanding and again, for all your love and support.
Organizer
Nicholas Emerson
Organizer
Winter Springs, FL