BRIAN'S SONG 2019
Donation protected
Let me introduce Brian Lafond, my brother-in-law....he has a story....if you love life and animals please read it to the end!!
My brother-in-law, Brian, has struggled with a polycythemia (a form of leukemia) for over 20 years. Less than 1 year ago he was stricken with an extremely aggressive form of prostate cancer. At the time of his diagnosis, the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes and bones of the pelvis, scapula and hips.
He is only 45!
The pain that Brian has suffered has been excruciating and unbearable to watch. He has tumors throughout his body that continually grow and cause more problems so the doctors implanted a permanent catheter and intrathecal pump in a futile attempt to help the pain.
Just about 2 weeks ago, Brian had the worst pain yet and ended up in the emergency room literally shaking from head to toe. Nothing the nurses and doctors did alleviated it at all. After much testing, the doctors found that the tumors were so large that they had completely blocked his ureters (tubes that drain from the kidneys into the bladder) so his kidneys were filling up like balloons!! The doctors were forced to implant permanent external drains directly into his kidneys to alleviate the pressure. This did not help the pain, however, as his entire urinary system was now spasming trying to do its normal job.....a whole new level of pain.
Brian has spent the last 3 weeks in ICU and a skilled pain management team has struggled to control his pain level. 3 days ago, the doctors determined that Brian would have to be placed on hospice care to ever receive the pain control necessary to give him any quality of life for his little time left. Brian went home on hospice care the next day and the pain management struggle continued. Today, Brian is home and no longer in pain thanks to the hard work of family and the wonderful hospice nurses. Unfortunately, his breathing has become very shallow and he is expected to pass within the next 48 hours.
As you can imagine, the medical bills are astronomical (many of the cancer medications not covered by their insurance, etc) and his family has had no income for quite a while because his wife (my sister) has taken all her leave time and so much more to care for her him. To make matters worse, Brian has been unable to work for years due to his multiple illnesses, so my sister's income is vital.
Brian is a very good man and HUGE animal lover rescuing dogs and cats any time there is a need. Currently, he and Amy have 3 dogs (Milo, Raider & Dallas) and 2 cats (Bonnie & Clyde). The only thing Brian has indicated that he wants is for Amy to be able to continue to live in their home and continue his legacy of animal rescue.
Please help me keep Brian's legacy alive by donating to assist with the medical bills and lost wages.
My brother-in-law, Brian, has struggled with a polycythemia (a form of leukemia) for over 20 years. Less than 1 year ago he was stricken with an extremely aggressive form of prostate cancer. At the time of his diagnosis, the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes and bones of the pelvis, scapula and hips.
He is only 45!
The pain that Brian has suffered has been excruciating and unbearable to watch. He has tumors throughout his body that continually grow and cause more problems so the doctors implanted a permanent catheter and intrathecal pump in a futile attempt to help the pain.
Just about 2 weeks ago, Brian had the worst pain yet and ended up in the emergency room literally shaking from head to toe. Nothing the nurses and doctors did alleviated it at all. After much testing, the doctors found that the tumors were so large that they had completely blocked his ureters (tubes that drain from the kidneys into the bladder) so his kidneys were filling up like balloons!! The doctors were forced to implant permanent external drains directly into his kidneys to alleviate the pressure. This did not help the pain, however, as his entire urinary system was now spasming trying to do its normal job.....a whole new level of pain.
Brian has spent the last 3 weeks in ICU and a skilled pain management team has struggled to control his pain level. 3 days ago, the doctors determined that Brian would have to be placed on hospice care to ever receive the pain control necessary to give him any quality of life for his little time left. Brian went home on hospice care the next day and the pain management struggle continued. Today, Brian is home and no longer in pain thanks to the hard work of family and the wonderful hospice nurses. Unfortunately, his breathing has become very shallow and he is expected to pass within the next 48 hours.
As you can imagine, the medical bills are astronomical (many of the cancer medications not covered by their insurance, etc) and his family has had no income for quite a while because his wife (my sister) has taken all her leave time and so much more to care for her him. To make matters worse, Brian has been unable to work for years due to his multiple illnesses, so my sister's income is vital.
Brian is a very good man and HUGE animal lover rescuing dogs and cats any time there is a need. Currently, he and Amy have 3 dogs (Milo, Raider & Dallas) and 2 cats (Bonnie & Clyde). The only thing Brian has indicated that he wants is for Amy to be able to continue to live in their home and continue his legacy of animal rescue.
Please help me keep Brian's legacy alive by donating to assist with the medical bills and lost wages.
Organizer and beneficiary
Candy Meadors Burch
Organizer
Myrtle Beach, SC
Amy Meadors Lafond
Beneficiary