Help Chad beat Pancreatic Cancer

Dear friends and family,

 

On January 10th of the new year, my dearest friends Chad (Spanky) and Sara Matejek received unexpected and devastating news. For those of you who know Chad and those that haven’t had the opportunity to make friends with this remarkable man… he is one of the most hard working, dependable and practical men I have ever had the honor of knowing and he’s never met a stranger. He is a loving son, husband, father and grandfather and is the foundation of his entire family including the biggest supporter to his wife Sara as she battles with her own chronic health issues. Chad is what I call a “git’r done, good ole boy” and I can honestly say I have never once heard him complain… about working long hours, about things that need fixing or housework that needs to be done, or dropping whatever he is doing to come rescue a friend in need and especially not health issues. Chad apparently, during the holidays, started having some back pain and in true Chad fashion, trying to put everyone else first, he never mentioned this pain to his wife or family. On the evening of the 10th, he spiked a fever and the pain had become bad enough that he did not go in to work and asked his wife to take him to the local county emergency room, as he is self employed without health insurance and unable to afford a doctor visit. After an exhausting day, a doctor met with Chad and Sara and their 18 year old son Westley. The first thing the doctor asked was “are you sure you want everyone in here?” Chad looked at Sara and immediately knew something was “real bad.” The doctor then went on to confirm that the CT done in the ER showed a large pancreatic “mass” and for the first time, in his adult life, he was admitted as a patient to try and control the pain of the large, 5x6x4 cm mass (approx) encompassing a major vein and to intravenously treat the infection being caused by the area of necrosis in the mass. He was discharged two days later with prescriptions for pain medications and antibiotics, a referral to Texas oncology, and a devastating diagnosis. Chad has not been able to return to work as a self employed welder/contractor, and without insurance, is struggling to get the biopsies, scans and medical treatments (chemo and radiation) needed to fight this stage 3 pancreatic tumor, too large too be surgically removed. His wife is a registered nurse who hasn’t been able to work in the last 7 years. She feels helpless and frustrated and it is breaking her heart to see her “person” suffer in pain. I have never done a medical fundraiser and would’ve been fine never needing too. But I am reaching out to my family, friends, colleagues, and community to please help my good friend Chad get the treatment he needs while continuing to be able to provide for his family. Anything you can contribute will help Chad and his family spend less time worrying about finances and allow them to focus on the treatment necessary to give him a fighting chance. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart, for taking the time to help a man very deserving of a few more years here on earth with his family. ❤️

 

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