Give Bob a Chance at Life
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The Back Story
Ever since I was a child, my sister Karen and I had a pretty typical sibling relationship. We alternated between having fun and getting along playing pick up sticks or Clue and fighting over clothes or who got in the shower first. My father didn’t appreciate it when the morning battle ensued over her using the hair dryer or me making toast. You couldn’t do both or you’d blow a fuse. We did both. We blew the fuse. More than once.
(Us on a day we were getting along. Inside. With umbrellas. On a sunny day. In the winter.)
But despite our typical sisterly battles growing up in a one-bathroom home, we always had each other’s back. If a boyfriend broke one of our hearts, or a schoolmate picked on one of us, look out. That’s my sister and I will vehemently protect her. I love her.
Fast forward to adulthood and my sister didn’t have it easy. Without going in to detail here, let’s just say it was a very difficult time for all of us. There was a period of time that the risk was very real that she would not survive, her daughter would grow up without her mother and me without my sister. But she persevered and found the strength she never knew she had and is alive today, a stronger person as a result.
Her Night in Shining Armor
Years later, along comes Bob, who despite the walls she put up, scales them and loves her. All of her. Her cautiousness, her intelligence, her loving heart and her daughter. And lucky for him, she loves him back.
He asks his princess for her hand in marriage and she says yes. They have a backyard wedding and reception, with good home-cooked food, a tent and all the friends and family they love. To this day, we are all grateful my father who has since passed, was alive to be there.
(My mom made her wedding dress.)
Building a New Life
They move to North Carolina to help take care of Bob’s widowed mother and seek out a warmer climate. Though not large or grand, they happily settle into their new home, enjoying the stream, picking black caps and canning jam. They both love their new life.
And welcome Mom.
My mom has developed Fuchs’ Distrophy and swelling on her retinas. She is losing her eyesight. A former artist, it has been a difficult time for her. Her ability to live independently is diminishing. Upon a caring and heartfelt invite from my sister for my mother to move in with them, just one month ago, mom sold her home of 52 years and moved to North Carolina with my sister and Bob.
(My beautiful friends with my even more beautiful mom at dinner just before she left.)
This Can’t be Happening, but it is
My sister texted the other day for me to call her. I held patient for a few minutes after she answered because she couldn’t speak. I told her to take her time. Her only job was to breathe. She composed herself enough to tell me Bob was diagnosed with prostate cancer. My response was to encourage her that today it is highly treatable. Then she continued. “He’s lost so much weight. He’s exhausted. His bones ache.” As the pit in my stomach grew, she continued “And we don’t have health insurance.”
While we do not yet know the extent of the cancer (other than it is in advanced stages) his doctor has advised chemo and radiation will be required. The cost is estimated betweeen $30,000-$40,000 per month. Bob will not be able to enroll in health insurance until January 1. He doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for treatment.
And . . . They will not treat him without insurance or proof of funds.
I cannot imagine what my sister is going through. The man she loves is sick. His life is at risk. And she is not in a position to do everything possible to help him survive, to give him a fighting chance at life. He’s a good man. A really good man. He has loved and cared for my sister, and has now welcomed my mother to be cared for as well.
Please Help Bob Get a Chance at Life
Our family is rallying together to help them. We’ve explored all health insurance options and have spoken to attorneys. We are doing all we can, but the painful fact is that it isn’t enough. We need your help. Please.
If you choose to do something for someone else today, please choose Bob. If I’ve ever touched your life in a positive way, I am asking you today to return the favor. Pay it forward to Bob and Karen.
With love in my heart, love for my sister and her husband and faith,
Keryl Pesce
Baby sister to Karen Tompkins
Ever since I was a child, my sister Karen and I had a pretty typical sibling relationship. We alternated between having fun and getting along playing pick up sticks or Clue and fighting over clothes or who got in the shower first. My father didn’t appreciate it when the morning battle ensued over her using the hair dryer or me making toast. You couldn’t do both or you’d blow a fuse. We did both. We blew the fuse. More than once.
(Us on a day we were getting along. Inside. With umbrellas. On a sunny day. In the winter.)But despite our typical sisterly battles growing up in a one-bathroom home, we always had each other’s back. If a boyfriend broke one of our hearts, or a schoolmate picked on one of us, look out. That’s my sister and I will vehemently protect her. I love her.
Fast forward to adulthood and my sister didn’t have it easy. Without going in to detail here, let’s just say it was a very difficult time for all of us. There was a period of time that the risk was very real that she would not survive, her daughter would grow up without her mother and me without my sister. But she persevered and found the strength she never knew she had and is alive today, a stronger person as a result.
Her Night in Shining Armor
Years later, along comes Bob, who despite the walls she put up, scales them and loves her. All of her. Her cautiousness, her intelligence, her loving heart and her daughter. And lucky for him, she loves him back.
He asks his princess for her hand in marriage and she says yes. They have a backyard wedding and reception, with good home-cooked food, a tent and all the friends and family they love. To this day, we are all grateful my father who has since passed, was alive to be there.
(My mom made her wedding dress.)Building a New Life
They move to North Carolina to help take care of Bob’s widowed mother and seek out a warmer climate. Though not large or grand, they happily settle into their new home, enjoying the stream, picking black caps and canning jam. They both love their new life.
And welcome Mom.
My mom has developed Fuchs’ Distrophy and swelling on her retinas. She is losing her eyesight. A former artist, it has been a difficult time for her. Her ability to live independently is diminishing. Upon a caring and heartfelt invite from my sister for my mother to move in with them, just one month ago, mom sold her home of 52 years and moved to North Carolina with my sister and Bob.
(My beautiful friends with my even more beautiful mom at dinner just before she left.)This Can’t be Happening, but it is
My sister texted the other day for me to call her. I held patient for a few minutes after she answered because she couldn’t speak. I told her to take her time. Her only job was to breathe. She composed herself enough to tell me Bob was diagnosed with prostate cancer. My response was to encourage her that today it is highly treatable. Then she continued. “He’s lost so much weight. He’s exhausted. His bones ache.” As the pit in my stomach grew, she continued “And we don’t have health insurance.”
While we do not yet know the extent of the cancer (other than it is in advanced stages) his doctor has advised chemo and radiation will be required. The cost is estimated betweeen $30,000-$40,000 per month. Bob will not be able to enroll in health insurance until January 1. He doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for treatment.
And . . . They will not treat him without insurance or proof of funds.
I cannot imagine what my sister is going through. The man she loves is sick. His life is at risk. And she is not in a position to do everything possible to help him survive, to give him a fighting chance at life. He’s a good man. A really good man. He has loved and cared for my sister, and has now welcomed my mother to be cared for as well.
Please Help Bob Get a Chance at Life
Our family is rallying together to help them. We’ve explored all health insurance options and have spoken to attorneys. We are doing all we can, but the painful fact is that it isn’t enough. We need your help. Please.
If you choose to do something for someone else today, please choose Bob. If I’ve ever touched your life in a positive way, I am asking you today to return the favor. Pay it forward to Bob and Karen.
With love in my heart, love for my sister and her husband and faith,
Keryl Pesce
Baby sister to Karen Tompkins
Organizer
Keryl M Pesce
Organizer
Beacon, NY