Hello friends and family,

As many of you know, my Bubba, was diagnosed with stage 3 throat cancer in January this year. (Stage 4 being the worst)He was having some issues with his throat and his ENT doctor found a small tumor. When the tumor was removed it was found to be Malignant(cancerous).

He was scheduled to see an oncologist in Little Rock. PET scans were completed and revealed that he had the stage 3 throat cancer and the removed tumor was already growing back. His doctor advised him to undergo chemotherapy and intense radiation treatments. He was made aware that due to the nature of the cancer, being in the throat, he would not be able to eat or possibly even talk due to the radiation. He would be placed on a feeding tube before the treatments even began, and they could not guarantee that his vocal chords would not be damaged or that he would be able to swallow normal afterwards. If he couldn't swallow, he couldn't eat.

After much prayer, Bub decided he would try alternative treatments first to see if he could shrink the cancer or at least stop it from growing. For a couple months he tried special diets and remedies, but it proved to not be enough for the aggresive cancer.

Refusing to just accept the treatment plan of one doctor, he began looking for clinical trials or alternatives to the extreme radiation. God opened many doors for him during this time and he was able to find less invasive treatment in New York City. He applied for the treatment and he was accepted! He had to make several trips to New York for testing prior to treatment, and the doctors found 2 additional tumors that were not even seen previously in Little Rock.

He started chemo, low dose radiation and a newer unique treatment called proton therapy on Monday, June 14th.

No feeding tube.

No super high power radiation.

Hopefully no permanent throat damage.

The Good Lord has helped him this far!

BUT...

Being away from home comes at a cost.

Being to sick to work comes at a cost. Recieving advanced treatment out of state comes at a cost.

Traveling back and forth to treatments within New York City EVERY SINGLE DAY, comes at a cost.

No matter who you are or what your situation is, finding out you have a serious illness will utterly turn your life upside down and cause burdens, especially financial. 

No one is ever prepared for this.

I am still in shock a little to think about my brother having cancer. Throat cancer. My brother who doesnt even smoke! My brother who eats pickles and peanuts (yes,together) and drinks vinegar water! 

But I know many,many others have had these same battles, with all forms of cancer and diseases. I applaud those of you who have fought the battle and won, and I grieve those whom we have lost.

St. Mathew tells us that God maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good; and He sendeth the rain on the just and the unjust. Oftentimes circumstances are not our choice. And while we cannot change the course of nature anymore than we can have foreknowledge of the span of our lives, we can make the best of every situation, and wake every morning with our minds stayed on Jesus.

If we all pull together, we CAN make a difference.

Thank you in advance for your contribution.

Thank you for helping me to help my Bubba.

♡Paula Lenington ♡