Assist Pete in His Final Push and Memorial

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone that finds their way here is doing well, and thank you in advance for spending valuable time on me, sincerely.

As many of you already know, I was diagnosed in July of '23 with stage 4 rectal cancer. My main tumor is a massive 9.5x5.5cm just 2.5cm inside my body.

My first donation event held here lacked lots of information as it was designed and run by my brother Michael immediately after diagnosis and hospitalization. I sincerely thank those who visited the first time and sacrificed to lend me some assistance.

This second round is run directly by me and brings the story full circle to fill in all the gaps left in between. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly with any questions or concerns if need be!

Here I am in October '24 to do just that, be fully transparent and once again, for the final time, humbly requesting any help you may be able to find. It would make a huge difference to my life and quality thereof.

After my initial diagnosis, my medical team calculated a plan and set out to save my life at 46 years old if I worked to the core of my soul to find the strength to endure what lay in store for me.

I spent 8 weeks doing 5 times a week radiation plus oral chemotherapy, taking 3 weeks off and then continuing with 18 weeks of dual chemotherapy.

I completed all my treatments as planned while going back to work 2 weeks into my dual chemotherapy. Quite brutal stuff combined and especially in the dead of winter!

Having watched my mum pass from cancer on a daily basis, I thought I knew what to expect. Couldn't have been farther from the truth! Never thought humans could feel what I now have! There are no words to describe that process to those who haven't been through it. Horror, just horrors.

Down the line in April of this year, I was set to go through a battery of testing to see how we did during my war on cancer. Making a longer story somewhat shorter, I was given 3-10 months to live the second week of April.

My oncologist termed my treatment "inconclusive" as a professional term. To pile worse upon bad, I was informed there were no further treatments to give me. I used up my lifetime allotment of both chemotherapy and radiation during the first go-around.

After seeking a second opinion at Rush Hospital Group, they termed me as "not comfortable" to treat any further and I was turned away. I am sadly out of options to gain more life.

As of the second week of October, I was placed into home hospice. I've done this pretty much all on my own the entire time with a few boosters from friends and family here and there to help out.

Luckily, being back at work this entire year was my best support network. They really rallied around me big and did everything in their power on every level to facilitate a better life during my most trying of times!

After spending nearly $2k per month on medication alone, I needed all the help I could get during this time. I've continuously fallen farther behind on everything in life, almost becoming homeless during chemotherapy until some friends stepped in to save my home (for the time being). Having to choose between my medication and having food, electricity at home, and gas to transport, it's been a complete nightmare. I've sold off most all my possessions that have value, about 80% lost to keep my head above water. I've sadly come to the end; what I have left I will die with! Trying to maintain some form of dignity as my life comes to an end.

Which brings me to this page! I am hoping to raise some much-needed funding to stop working for the last weeks of my life and spend more time with loved ones before I expire. Also, if enough is raised, I would be deeply grateful to also line up some services for my passing. As of now, I cannot afford to have any, and I have nowhere to turn so I CAN have any services!

There is much more to my story, of course, and I am an open book to anyone with questions! Do not be shy.

I'm so very grateful to those of you who helped me the first round of funding, thank you!

I humbly beg of you that IF you can help me out as I exit this life, I would be so deeply grateful. If that's not possible, I fully understand! Life is SO expensive and you all have enough on your plate already. All I request is sharing my story with those around you; maybe they will have the ability and heart to help out a dying man.

I also have a direct donation option of Zelle attached to my phone number.

Please feel free to contact me for any reason or concern!

630 [phone redacted]

Thank you all SO very much for your time, considerations, and your kindness

All my love ❤️

Please stay well and I wish each of you the happiness you deserve

Regards,

Pete