Help for Healing

Cancer - one of the three scariest words in my vocabulary. Cancer - that was the diagnosis today. Then the words started flying: edino carcinoma, enlarged lymph nodes, colo-rectal surgery, radiation
treatments, chemotherapy. My thoughts raced to things like life expectancy and effectiveness of treatment. Peter’s went to money - not what it would cost him….just that he didn’t have any to pay for
it.

My name is Natalie Price, I am a substitute teacher, and make $15 dollars an hour on the days I get to work. This isn’t my story, though in some ways it is - it is the story about the man I love and what, if
anything, I can do to help him.

I fell in love with Peter 2 years ago after my marriage of 32 years ended. I was in love with my ex and the divorce shattered me. I never imagined I would find anyone who could matter as much to me as this
man does. I want you to get to know him too so that maybe you will see he is worthy of your help.

Some people are lucky. We are - to have met each other - but Peter’s life has not been filled with luck, it’s been filled with responsibility and hard work- and love for his children - which anyone who has ever had kids knows, is hard work. Peter raised 5 boys, 3 from his ex- wives first marriage, and 2 they had together. None of them are in a position to help, nor would he ever ask them to.

Proud yes, pride no. This is a man who worked hard to support his family, put his ex-wife through nursing school, put himself through school and sent his kids to college. He has never asked for anything
and when it would have been easier to give in, give up or ask for a handout he just worked longer hours.
He never ever quit.

Now he is sick and it’s getting harder to work and every day it takes a bigger toll. I see him wasting away before my eyes - 35 pounds gone unexplainably – (losing weight is supposed to be a good thing, right?)
or at least until today – Cancer.

Peter is a rich man in all the ways that should count but won’t pay the bills. He’s honorable, keeps his word, tells the truth. He’s smart, funny and so talented musically and otherwise. He’s a good father, a
responsible citizen, takes care of his humble home. Peter has a brilliant mind and quick wit. He is the best kind of father, loving, gentle but firm, and tries to live the example he wants to set for his children
and loves them with all his heart. To me he is my confident, my lover and my friend. I can’t imagine the world without him in it.

Anyone who knows Peter can tell you he is one of the hardest working people they have ever met. He has a reputation for being smart, dependable and going the extra mile but more importantly he makes
the journey fun. He’s a team player who has earned the respect of his supervisors and peers.

Due to its current location and size, this tumor is inoperable at this time - too problematic per the surgeon. The plan is to attack it with chemotherapy and radiation in an effort to shrink it in size, allowing
for surgery to have it removed-followed by more chemotherapy.

So where does a person - who has never asked for anything their entire lives go for help when they need it? 

The answer is they don’t. That is the reason I am writing this go fund me request. Please help me help him afford the medicine and treatment he needs to combat this terrible disease, so he can fight the good fight without having to worry about how much it’s going to cost. It might be curable with the right combination of care. He just can’t afford it and I don’t know of any other way to make it available.

Would you please help?