Support needed for Brad and his family

Dearest Friends,

Not sure if you are aware but in August of 2024 Kelly & Brad’s lives changed forever. Brad had a cough and was tired for about a month, he went to the Doctor and she ordered an Xray. On August 23rd he had a follow up appointment, he was told there was a mass in his left lung and needed a biopsy. On August 29th he fainted in the shower and separated his collarbone from his shoulder. They did lung x-ray in the emergency department, and discovered he also had pneumonia and covid 19, at this point they admitted Brad. September 6th, 2024, they did the lung biopsy then released him from the hospital. Kelly had to take a leave of absence from work on Aug 26th as Brad was too sick and weak and could not be left alone.

Brad was diagnosed with stage 3 Well Differentiated Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma. A PET scan was done. Brad & Kelly had an appointment with the Oncologist, they were told that it was inoperable. The tumour 5cm x 8cm x 4cm there was also something in the lining of the lung; to say the least this was terrifying and devastating news for them. They saw the Radiologist; He advised them the tumour was too big for radiation.

The team of doctors decided that 3 rounds of Chemotherapy over three days then 21-day rest would be the plan, after that they would do another PET scan.

Unfortunately, the results of his latest PET scan were not good. Brad is now at stage 4 lung cancer and the tumour has grown significantly & his lung is partially collapsed. What does this mean, this means he is on palliative chemotherapy & radiation then immunotherapy to try to keep the cancer away giving Brad as much time as he can get with his family.

At times like these our friends need a little help, Brad has been off work since August 2024, Kelly has had to take so much time off to take him to appointments and Brad not being able to be left alone. With daily trips to the hospital with over a 40-minute drive for radiation everyday and chemotherapy once a week, this family could use a little help. Kelly would like to be able to spend as much time with Brad as possible and be there when he needs her without having to worry. The smallest of amounts helps so they can have the peace of mind that their gas, parking, food and maybe a little extra could ease their minds.

It is devastating that Brad worked his entire life so he could enjoy his retirement in Thunder Bay, only to find out that the fumes from welding is the likely cause of his cancer.

On behalf of the whole Hockley family, thank you from the bottom of their hearts.