Support Dave Morton's Battle with Stage 4 Cancer

Updated: Dec 2023

Last month we got the unfortunate news his stage 4 papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma (pRCC) is back and surgery is not an option this time around. However, oral chemo provides a good chance of containing the cancer and extending prognosis timeline.

There are research trials we may explore and other avenues worth considering but for now, Dad has decided to proceed with the gold standard oral chemo treatment and is tolerating it well so far. He is a fighter and wants to kick this cancers butt like the old football stud he is :)

We are maneuvering through the various hoops to get the right support and realize that having financial peace for the start of 2024 would enable focus on the things most important right now during treatment and come up with a longer term strategy to support the ever evolving needs.

In January 2024, Mom and Dad are moving into their own apartment in Vancouver, WA near the trusted oncology care team in Portland as well as daughters Melissa and Amanda. Any and all donations will support providing a more comfortable housing runway and items to accommodate comfort needs in this journey. 

For those unaware, they were living out of suitcases for the last ~2 years since news of his cancer returning in Aug 2021 while on a long roadtrip adventure. They always enjoy being out on the open road visiting family and friends while exploring the incredible beauty this planet has to offer.

The news interrupted their plans and we quickly pivoted to move them into Amanda and Ian's house to provide stability and financial relief post surgeries. We then moved out of their storage units in Genoa, NV end of last year to save money and were able to transport key sentimental and functional furniture to Amanda's house in Vancouver, WA to help with the transitions and feel more like home to them.

We are able to use a lot of those items, however, there are still many things we are missing and need to adjust to accommodate the new challenges and comfort needs in this 4th quarter battle. As we continue to learn more about qualifications and income limitations for covering the insurance gap cost of the oral chemo (~20k/mo), we are navigating cautiously until we have the whole picture to ensure that we don't disqualify from program aid in 2024.

We may run out of program funds for cost of medications before next year ends, but it is still early to understand how this all works. These donations would support housing and meals as needed to get them comfortable and off on the right track while providing us with more time to sort through the rest of the financial and logistical strategy at a less urgent and stressful pace. 

While the last couple of years have been already a true blessing, we aren't giving up hope that we can get another couple years or more. It is beyond incredible to reflect back and see how many people have contributed to Dads fight for cancer financially and otherwise. Just beyond amazing and something we are forever grateful for.

He loves words of encouragement and positive affirmations!! We all will need lots of uplifting throughout this process and support needed is not limited financially. He wants to hear from you! We all do. It's helped so much to look back on all the wonderful words, prayers and kindness.

More details and opportunities can be found below. Please don't hesitate to send a well wishes to Dad through CaringBridge, text message, or card! He loves cards!! All info and direct updates from Dad and family can be found on site details below.

We wouldn't be able to do this without our tribes. Life is not worth living without the people that make it worth it. We see this as a great blessing and reminder that we are alive and here today. We hope you get those feelings and reminders to hug the ones you love, tell them how much you love them, and have some fun together! Thank you so much for your continued love and support; wishing you and yours the happiest holiday season and a very happy new year!!

With love and gratitude,

The Morton Fam

A CaringBridge Site was created for Dave. It‘s a caring social network to help people stay connected with family and friends during a health event.

Visit Dave's Site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/welovedavemorton

Site Name: welovedavemorton

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2021 Battle

As many of you know, our Dad, Dave Morton was recently diagnosed with a recurrence and spread of kidney cancer in August while working on the road with our Mom. This came 

unexpectedly and shifted their adventurous plans from selling electric utility vehicles in Washington and Oregon to seeking oncological medical care. 

Since then, we have been extremely blessed and fortunate to have established care and housing on short notice with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) in Seattle, WA. God is good!

Dad recently had a major surgery in Seattle on 10/6 to remove his kidney and cancer that confirmed papillary renal cell carcinoma. He also had additional tests/images performed over the last 2 months which confirmed the cancer likely spread to a cluster of lymph nodes near the heart as well as suspicious nodules on his liver and lungs. We all agreed with SCCA’s medical team’s plan to aggressively remove the cancer with surgery.

Dad is scheduled for a second major surgery to have the cluster of lymph nodes removed in Seattle on 12/7. They are in the process of getting approval to have the liver lesions biopsied during surgery as well. We feel that SCCA has been attentive to get the ball rolling quickly while giving Dad a level of trust to make the decision to proceed with treatment under their care.  

Mom and Dad are currently in Portland on a month to month airbnb arrangement near 2 of their daughters (Melissa & Amanda) while juggling medical logistics in Seattle. Short term housing for appointments and the surgery/post op observation in Seattle is required while juggling airbnb rent in Portland. The cost is starting to take a financial toll. 

What we hope to do is alleviate some of the financial burden from this unexpected journey now that we have a sense of what we are truly in for factoring in the living and travel expenses on top of the medical expenses. And though they are uncomfortable and apprehensive to ask for this kind of support, they agreed to let us put this GoFundMe together. 

We have already received so much support from friends and family in many ways that we are forever grateful for! We appreciate you considering a donation to go towards housing and recovery during this time of need. We are so thankful for your continued love in all the beautiful ways you have shown to our family <3