Main fundraiser photo

Help Enrique’s Family

Donation protected

PLEASE HELP TO COVER ENRIQUE’S FAMILY’S TRAVEL EXPENSES AS HE GOES THROUGH STEM CELL TREATMENT IN HAMILTON.

Here is his journey so far:

Enrique or 'Ricky' as we call him at home, is a 50 year old male, father of Raquel (21) and Rianna (13). Husband of Roxanna for
21 years. He has been a Boilermaker since 1998. Most recently, he was working in Oshawa. Enrique, a man of a few words or too many sometimes, has always been a hard worker, providing for his family and with a great work ethic. Back in May 2014 he began feeling back pain, like spasms he describes, felt at many times lethargic and tired. He was sick with bronchitis for that winter, but never wanted to miss a day of work. The pain continued to increase and move along his body, his joints mainly. He decided to go and have a blood work done then, the very next day the lab called to let him know he had to go to the closest emergency hospital to be admitted because they had found he had Leukemia. We were in so much shock, we did not want to believe what we were hearing. We thought, 'it must be a mistake'. It was the most overwhelming news a Doctor could tell us. Scared and confused he did as he was told. So, here in the St. Catharines General Hospital the blood work began, but so did the journey, the most scary journey we, as a family had encountered.

Once admitted to the hospital in St. Catharines and after running many tests, he needed to be transferred to Hamilton, for the main Cancer Center, 45 minutes away from home. Just to begin the most painful treatment he has ever had. His treatment involved many types of Chemotherapy, Radiation, blood, platelets transfusions. Side effects started to kick in. Every day we would learn something new about this treatment. Asked many questions, researched as much as I could to help my husband beat this I thought. As days went by, side effects were so many it was so hard to keep track. Reactions, from nausea, swollen organs, upset stomach, pancreas issues, blood clogs, loss of weight, headaches, migraines and a lot of pain. These are among the most common effects he experienced during the first month he spent at a bed in the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton. It was indeed the hardest journey we had to go through, emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually. Enrique remained as an out patient for the next two years. Continued with Radiation and IV Chemo three times a week and then reduced to two times a week until his treatment was complete. These would take two years and a half of treatment. Blood was continuously being checked, in a weekly manner just to make sure cancer cells were not hidden anywhere in his body. When he finally went for his last Chemo session, we were so relieved. A bell was rung and he said, “I do not want to ever come back to the hospital again. It has been so painful.” His blood has been checked every two months since that last treatment. His blood was looking excellent and even his Doctor said, “your God really loves you and he is really looking out for you. You are in remission!”

He had been back to work for a year. However, as of this February he was sick again with bronchitis, came home feverish, took a couple of days off work. Then again, after returning to work, his back pain came back and by the end of the week it had made an impact on his shoulder. His pain was so unbearable that he drove back home from Oshawa and went immediately to St. Catharines General Hospital for some tests. He thought it is definitely muscular, maybe I overworked my shoulder he thought. After blood work was done, the unexpected news came back, your Leukemia has relapsed they said. Again, as procedures began, we needed to arrange transportation to Juravinski in Hamilton. And so, the second journey has began. This time, because of the relapse, he needs to have a Stem Cell procedure, but before that, four stages of Chemo. Side effects, pain, daily tests have begun.

A Bible Verse that kept us going is Mathew 11:28. "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"
We are trusting God that he will heal him again. He will have a second chance . We are hoping he will be back healthy and with us soon. Our young girl’s graduation is in June, we are hoping he will be with us to be able to celebrate with her.

Our friend, Marlene, helped us set up this account to ask for your support in covering the many expenses encountered. Enrique has been the main provider in the family. With him in the hospital, it has been a turmoil of issues.

We are trusting God that his stay at the the hospital won't be a long one. His Doctors are saying it could be another long journey. But our Doctor of Doctors is above us and Almighty!

1Chronicles 16:34 "Give thanks to the Lord, for HE is good; his love endures forever"
Donate

Donations 

  • Ted Collins
    • $100 
    • 6 yrs
Donate

Organizer and beneficiary

Marlene Kopeschny Heinrichs
Organizer
Saint Catharines, ON
Enrique Rodriguez
Beneficiary

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.