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The Medley's Story
Up until 2 months ago, things were fairly good at the Medley household. Doug, 47, his wife of 18 years, Tonya, 43, and their little 8-year-old daughter, Kayra, went about life as they always had. Kayra was really a miracle child. Tonya had been told that she would never have children, but God had a different plan. So, at age 35 Tonya gave birth to a beautiful little dark haired daughter. They were thrilled.
Doug, a painter by trade since the age of 15, had developed some really bad back problems which led to problems with him being able to perform his job. On Wednesday, October 7, 2015, Doug went to the doctor about the pain. He was told that, along with all of his other back problems, one of his nerves was in really bad shape. He was then given a steroid shot in his back to try and help alleviate his pain.
On Thursday, the following day, he noticed that his right foot was "dragging" a little. He just attributed it to the bad nerve the doctor had told him about, and let it go. Then, on Friday, his leg started "jumping", but stopped fairly quickly. Once again, Doug thought it was just the nerve acting up and let it go. By Sunday, his foot was dragging more. He still felt that it was probably from the nerve going crazy from the shot.
Monday, October 12, Doug went outside, but started feeling terrible. He went back inside and laid down to rest. He started to feel somewhat better and went back outside. Again, he had to go back in and lay down, but this time his leg started "jumping" very badly, followed by his arm doing it. Then he lost all feeling on his right side.
Doug was alone at this time but managed to call Tonya, who was only about 10 minutes away from home. She went home immediately and called 911, telling them that she thought that he had suffered a stroke. The ambulance took Doug, and Tonya followed a few minutes behind. By the time that she got to the hospital, she was told that Doug had had a seizure which was caused by a brain tumor. This is what had caused the paralysis.
After many tests, it was decided that the brain tumor would be removed on October 15. It was removed followed by excruciating pain as Doug tried to recover. The tests also revealed that there was also a spot on one of his kidneys. A few days later, it was determined that the brain tumor was malignant, and that it had come from cancer of the kidney. The kidney was to be removed on December 1. Doug had been given 5 days of radiation where the brain tumor had been, to try to make sure they had killed all of the cancer cells.
While still recovering and waiting for the kidney removal, Doug went to his kidney doctor to get things ready for his surgery. He had a fever of 102.4 and was immediately sent to the ER. He spent three days in the hospital with pneumonia this time.
Doug does not have health insurance, so he had to wait to be approved for chemotherapy. So he was not receiving any chemo at that time.
On November 28, just days before his kidney was scheduled to be removed, Doug had to be taken back to the ER due to severe pain that he just couldn't endure any longer. They found - in just a little over a month’s time - the cancer had spread throughout his body. It was in his spleen, lung, lymph nodes and buttocks …extremely fast moving. They were told that there was only a 50/50 chance that removing the kidney would help his pain. Plus, it would take him two months to recover from the surgery if it was removed.
Doug and Tonya were told that he only had six months to live. And that was if he received chemo, which he had not been approved for yet. It was decided not to remove the kidney because Doug wants to spend whatever quality time he has left with Kayra and Tonya.
Doug and Tonya decided not to tell Kayra about this devastating news until after Christmas. They want her to have one last happy Christmas with her daddy. Even though she knows he's sick, she has no idea as to how serious this is. So, if you know this family, please do not mention this to Kayra or any of her little friends that may go to school with her. Her parents want to be the ones to tell her the news, so please let them.
As I said, Doug does not have health insurance, and this has been extremely hard for them. After Doug was released from the hospital the last time, they had to put his medications costs on a credit card. His meds cost $660.00, and that was with him only getting five days’ worth of pain medication. The pain prescription alone would have been $1,200. The doctor was going to try and find something less costly to prescribe him, which probably means not as good at controlling pain. But, I know that Tonya will be responsible for these medical and credit card bills if something happens to Doug. And there will be other final expenses as well, if something like that does occur. Please know that we are all still hoping and praying for a miracle for this little family. We are not giving up yet.
They have never had to ask for help from anyone and have always been able to take care of themselves financially. But, sometimes that just can't be done. Sometimes you just need help. And even now, they are not even the ones asking it. I am asking for help for them.
I would like for this time to be free from worry for Doug, for him not to have to worry about what will happen to Tonya and Kayra if the doctors are right. To know that his bills will be taken care of if he dies, and that the responsibility won't be left to Tonya with a limited income.
I would like for him to have some peace in his final days, to know that his wife and child will be financially secure for at least a little while if the worst happens.
Tonya is my first cousin, and I love her and her family dearly. Both families are worried as to what will happen to Tonya, but mostly Kayra, without Doug. And we would be so thankful to know that they would not have to be broken hearted and also financially strapped. So, if you can find it in your heart to help them, please do. If you are unable to help them financially, and I know many can't, please just share this post. If you pray, please keep them in your prayers. All of these things will be most appreciated.
Thank you for reading their story and for any help you may be able to provide. May God bless you and may you have a Merry Christmas. ♥
Up until 2 months ago, things were fairly good at the Medley household. Doug, 47, his wife of 18 years, Tonya, 43, and their little 8-year-old daughter, Kayra, went about life as they always had. Kayra was really a miracle child. Tonya had been told that she would never have children, but God had a different plan. So, at age 35 Tonya gave birth to a beautiful little dark haired daughter. They were thrilled.
Doug, a painter by trade since the age of 15, had developed some really bad back problems which led to problems with him being able to perform his job. On Wednesday, October 7, 2015, Doug went to the doctor about the pain. He was told that, along with all of his other back problems, one of his nerves was in really bad shape. He was then given a steroid shot in his back to try and help alleviate his pain.
On Thursday, the following day, he noticed that his right foot was "dragging" a little. He just attributed it to the bad nerve the doctor had told him about, and let it go. Then, on Friday, his leg started "jumping", but stopped fairly quickly. Once again, Doug thought it was just the nerve acting up and let it go. By Sunday, his foot was dragging more. He still felt that it was probably from the nerve going crazy from the shot.
Monday, October 12, Doug went outside, but started feeling terrible. He went back inside and laid down to rest. He started to feel somewhat better and went back outside. Again, he had to go back in and lay down, but this time his leg started "jumping" very badly, followed by his arm doing it. Then he lost all feeling on his right side.
Doug was alone at this time but managed to call Tonya, who was only about 10 minutes away from home. She went home immediately and called 911, telling them that she thought that he had suffered a stroke. The ambulance took Doug, and Tonya followed a few minutes behind. By the time that she got to the hospital, she was told that Doug had had a seizure which was caused by a brain tumor. This is what had caused the paralysis.
After many tests, it was decided that the brain tumor would be removed on October 15. It was removed followed by excruciating pain as Doug tried to recover. The tests also revealed that there was also a spot on one of his kidneys. A few days later, it was determined that the brain tumor was malignant, and that it had come from cancer of the kidney. The kidney was to be removed on December 1. Doug had been given 5 days of radiation where the brain tumor had been, to try to make sure they had killed all of the cancer cells.
While still recovering and waiting for the kidney removal, Doug went to his kidney doctor to get things ready for his surgery. He had a fever of 102.4 and was immediately sent to the ER. He spent three days in the hospital with pneumonia this time.
Doug does not have health insurance, so he had to wait to be approved for chemotherapy. So he was not receiving any chemo at that time.
On November 28, just days before his kidney was scheduled to be removed, Doug had to be taken back to the ER due to severe pain that he just couldn't endure any longer. They found - in just a little over a month’s time - the cancer had spread throughout his body. It was in his spleen, lung, lymph nodes and buttocks …extremely fast moving. They were told that there was only a 50/50 chance that removing the kidney would help his pain. Plus, it would take him two months to recover from the surgery if it was removed.
Doug and Tonya were told that he only had six months to live. And that was if he received chemo, which he had not been approved for yet. It was decided not to remove the kidney because Doug wants to spend whatever quality time he has left with Kayra and Tonya.
Doug and Tonya decided not to tell Kayra about this devastating news until after Christmas. They want her to have one last happy Christmas with her daddy. Even though she knows he's sick, she has no idea as to how serious this is. So, if you know this family, please do not mention this to Kayra or any of her little friends that may go to school with her. Her parents want to be the ones to tell her the news, so please let them.
As I said, Doug does not have health insurance, and this has been extremely hard for them. After Doug was released from the hospital the last time, they had to put his medications costs on a credit card. His meds cost $660.00, and that was with him only getting five days’ worth of pain medication. The pain prescription alone would have been $1,200. The doctor was going to try and find something less costly to prescribe him, which probably means not as good at controlling pain. But, I know that Tonya will be responsible for these medical and credit card bills if something happens to Doug. And there will be other final expenses as well, if something like that does occur. Please know that we are all still hoping and praying for a miracle for this little family. We are not giving up yet.
They have never had to ask for help from anyone and have always been able to take care of themselves financially. But, sometimes that just can't be done. Sometimes you just need help. And even now, they are not even the ones asking it. I am asking for help for them.
I would like for this time to be free from worry for Doug, for him not to have to worry about what will happen to Tonya and Kayra if the doctors are right. To know that his bills will be taken care of if he dies, and that the responsibility won't be left to Tonya with a limited income.
I would like for him to have some peace in his final days, to know that his wife and child will be financially secure for at least a little while if the worst happens.
Tonya is my first cousin, and I love her and her family dearly. Both families are worried as to what will happen to Tonya, but mostly Kayra, without Doug. And we would be so thankful to know that they would not have to be broken hearted and also financially strapped. So, if you can find it in your heart to help them, please do. If you are unable to help them financially, and I know many can't, please just share this post. If you pray, please keep them in your prayers. All of these things will be most appreciated.
Thank you for reading their story and for any help you may be able to provide. May God bless you and may you have a Merry Christmas. ♥
Organizer and beneficiary
Tonya Medley
Beneficiary