Join Hal in his Battle
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Dear Friends and Family,
My husband Hal, an Air Force Veteran and friend to many who has always tried to do his best to help others, was diagnosed with inoperable esophageal cancer at the end of May 2020. This news came as an incredible blow to us after he had already endured some very challenging medical issues for the last 8 years.
Hal has always been so focused on taking care of those around him and doing whatever he could to help others. He has volunteered for over 28 years at a non-profit organization (The Americans MC) raising money to assist children battling cancer and their families by providing financial support, along with raising funds for Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Now, given all that has happened, it is our turn to ask for help.
Here’s why we need help:
1. A good part of Hal’s treatment in is not covered by our insurance and the exceptionally high cost of his hospitalizations and treatment are beyond our means.
2. We are on a fixed income and have gone through all of our savings due to medical bills.
3. It is coming to the point that we may have to refuse treatment due to the cost involved with each visit.
A bit about Hal's struggle:
Hal’s battle began in November 2012 when he was hospitalized after collapsing at home, unable to breath. He ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks and was eventually diagnosed with Valley Fever, a fungal infection, that attacks the lungs and is very difficult to control and can do significant permanent damage. He was under treatment for 2 ½ years as a result of this.
In 2018, Hal ended up in the hospital again with symptoms similar to the previous lung problem. He was put back on original fungal medicine for over a year which didn’t seem to be working and continued to attack his lung to the point of constantly coughing up blood. We eventually found out that the fungal strain he was being treated for the second time was a different strain, making the original medications completely ineffective against the current strain.
In February 2019, as a result of all of the damage that was done to Hal’s lungs, he ended up in hospital for an 8 hour surgery to remove half of his right lung. He was told he would be in the hospital for 7-10 days and ended up being hospitalized for 20 days due to complications.
He remained under a Doctor’s care for the second fungal infection and was medically cleared at the end of January 2020. We were concerned about Hal's recovery from the lung surgery as he couldn't even walk up a slight hill with our dogs without having to stop for minutes to catch his breath.
We thought we were over the worst of it and then on the early morning of May 9th, 2020, Hal ended up back in hospital due to unbearable pain and vomiting up blood. He was admitted to the hospital and after 6 days we were told that Hal had inoperable lower esophageal cancer. Our hearts sank.
In an effort to shrink the tumor, Hal has been going through chemotherapy. Unfortunately, it appears that the prescribed chemotherapy is not working as the tumor size has not been reduced and the doctor notified us that the tumor has extended into Hal’s stomach. To make matters even more difficult, Hal cannot eat solid food due to the tumor and has lost 80 pounds since April
We have been doing the best we can to keep up with the seemingly insurmountable medical bills from the surgeries, hospitalizations and treatment. It has been a very difficult road and does not look like it will be getting any easier. We are on a fixed income and are unable to keep up with the continued medical bills. Insurance only covers a portion and many parts of treatment are not covered at all. To say it is overwhelming is an understatement. We just don’t know how we are going to manage.
Throughout this journey, we have been blessed by the love and support of family and friends. It is such a comfort to us knowing we are not alone during this. The challenge of paying for Hal's medical care continues to grow.
So, in response to the many who have reached out to us, asking how you can help - we now are reaching out to you. Please know that we are profoundly grateful for any financial support we receive toward Hal's medical care, as well as your ongoing love and prayers.
With much love and gratitude,
Tanya and Hal
My husband Hal, an Air Force Veteran and friend to many who has always tried to do his best to help others, was diagnosed with inoperable esophageal cancer at the end of May 2020. This news came as an incredible blow to us after he had already endured some very challenging medical issues for the last 8 years.
Hal has always been so focused on taking care of those around him and doing whatever he could to help others. He has volunteered for over 28 years at a non-profit organization (The Americans MC) raising money to assist children battling cancer and their families by providing financial support, along with raising funds for Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Now, given all that has happened, it is our turn to ask for help.
Here’s why we need help:
1. A good part of Hal’s treatment in is not covered by our insurance and the exceptionally high cost of his hospitalizations and treatment are beyond our means.
2. We are on a fixed income and have gone through all of our savings due to medical bills.
3. It is coming to the point that we may have to refuse treatment due to the cost involved with each visit.
A bit about Hal's struggle:
Hal’s battle began in November 2012 when he was hospitalized after collapsing at home, unable to breath. He ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks and was eventually diagnosed with Valley Fever, a fungal infection, that attacks the lungs and is very difficult to control and can do significant permanent damage. He was under treatment for 2 ½ years as a result of this.
In 2018, Hal ended up in the hospital again with symptoms similar to the previous lung problem. He was put back on original fungal medicine for over a year which didn’t seem to be working and continued to attack his lung to the point of constantly coughing up blood. We eventually found out that the fungal strain he was being treated for the second time was a different strain, making the original medications completely ineffective against the current strain.
In February 2019, as a result of all of the damage that was done to Hal’s lungs, he ended up in hospital for an 8 hour surgery to remove half of his right lung. He was told he would be in the hospital for 7-10 days and ended up being hospitalized for 20 days due to complications.
He remained under a Doctor’s care for the second fungal infection and was medically cleared at the end of January 2020. We were concerned about Hal's recovery from the lung surgery as he couldn't even walk up a slight hill with our dogs without having to stop for minutes to catch his breath.
We thought we were over the worst of it and then on the early morning of May 9th, 2020, Hal ended up back in hospital due to unbearable pain and vomiting up blood. He was admitted to the hospital and after 6 days we were told that Hal had inoperable lower esophageal cancer. Our hearts sank.
In an effort to shrink the tumor, Hal has been going through chemotherapy. Unfortunately, it appears that the prescribed chemotherapy is not working as the tumor size has not been reduced and the doctor notified us that the tumor has extended into Hal’s stomach. To make matters even more difficult, Hal cannot eat solid food due to the tumor and has lost 80 pounds since April
We have been doing the best we can to keep up with the seemingly insurmountable medical bills from the surgeries, hospitalizations and treatment. It has been a very difficult road and does not look like it will be getting any easier. We are on a fixed income and are unable to keep up with the continued medical bills. Insurance only covers a portion and many parts of treatment are not covered at all. To say it is overwhelming is an understatement. We just don’t know how we are going to manage.
Throughout this journey, we have been blessed by the love and support of family and friends. It is such a comfort to us knowing we are not alone during this. The challenge of paying for Hal's medical care continues to grow.
So, in response to the many who have reached out to us, asking how you can help - we now are reaching out to you. Please know that we are profoundly grateful for any financial support we receive toward Hal's medical care, as well as your ongoing love and prayers.
With much love and gratitude,
Tanya and Hal
Organizer
Tanya Strauss
Organizer
Las Vegas, NV