Help Bring Douglas Macaulay Home...

Through this journey with cancer, my family has been able to witness many little miracles and much kindness. My dad, Douglas Macaulay was diagnosed in 2017 with T-Cell ALL (T-CELL Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) and had 24hours to get into a specialized treatment center in CA. He was given 6 months of several different kinds of intense chemotherapy treatments along with spinal chemo and radiation. He received a beautiful gift of a bone marrow transplant in June of 2017. After the transplant, he had several complications, one of which kept him in ICU on a respirator. Recovery after ICU included learning how to walk again and use his vocal cords to speak. 6 months and two weeks after his transplant, he had pain in his kidney which showed a tumor.  That same day, after waking up from a nap, he had double vision. It was then that the doctors in California discovered he had a brain tumor and a relapse with T-Cell ALL. This time the cancer had spread to his spinal cord and brain. After exhaust all the treatments CA had to offer, our family looked into other out-of-state options. It was a blessing that we found MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. Dad began his treatment at MD Anderson in March 2018. He was treated with a new Chemo treatment drug which put him into full-remission. He was supposed to have his second transplant on August 14, 2018, but due to complications, passed away.

Through this journey, my father believed that each day was the greatest blessing. A little over a month ago, a Priest came into his hospital room and asked my dad on a scale of 1 to 10 -- 10 being at peace, where he was at in his life. My dad didn’t hesitate and said immediately, “I’m a 10.” The Priest asked how he could say that with everything he had going on in his life. My dad replied that it was because he had God in his life and that he was surrounded by the love of his family and friends.

As a former United States Recon Marine, my father believed attitude is everything. He fought each day with such grace and welcomed every moment with a smile.

Cancer is a roller coaster -- never a straight line, and through it all, he found happiness -- even in his darkest moments. 

During his battle, his wife Michele – my mom, never left his side. For two years, she slept mostly in a chair right beside his bed. They encouraged each other every step of the way. My mom is disabled and is not able to work, so this has been extremely hard financially. Our sorrow knows no bounds.  

At this time in our journey, we ask for your help in bringing my father back home to California. We need help with medical bills and funeral costs. On behalf of my family, we with thank you for your kindness, support and prayers. May God bless you.