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Our Story:
My name is Keith Johnson II and I would like to tell you about my father, Keith Johnson, and my family. My father has been my hero since I can remember. He is a charismatic, funny and a person who has a love for life. Basically, a man who will do anything possible for his family. Just like every other family we have gone throuhg tragedies and hard times. In 2002, my father, sisters and I lost our mother (his wife) to a 5 year battle with breast cancer. It was a devastating time for our family and together we have fought through it.
What happened:
Let's fast forward to 2016. Now, at this time, I was living in China. I would talk to my dad everyday. He was very invested in my experience and making sure that I would capitalize on every oppotunity I came across there. But in October of 2016, I noticed a change in his voice. He said that he had been feeling sick but wasn't sure what it was. So we agreed that he would go to the doctor and check things out. The doctors thought he had a flu and described medicine for the flu. Over the next couple of months his voice was not gettting better but he didnt feel ill. But through this time he had been losing a lot of weight.
In March of 2017, I was in Malaysia for work. While I was there I would video chat with my dad everyday. He mentioned that he was concerned for his health and he scheduled an appointment to see a specialist. I told him as soon as he hears something to call me, no matter what time it was.
I get the call. I remember feeling nervous and unsettled. He said, "I have something to tell you. "Just tell me it isnt cancer," I replied, hoping with all my might that it wasn't cancer. He said, " I am sorry to tell you but its cancer and its in my throat." I went numb. I went silent for a minute. But then I snapped back to reality and asked him what he needed of me. Unfortunately, I was on the other side of the world and couldnt do anything at the moment but he told me to wait and let him get some more information. Even though he said that, I knew that I would have to quit my job and come home to be by his side.
Once he told me that he was stage 4, I packed up all my stuff and booked the first flight back to Los Angeles. He is the last parent that I have and I don't know what I would do without him.
The scariest moment in my life:
It was Friday morning, May 12th. We were getting ready to go to the hospital to start his first round of chemo. All of a sudden he bursts into my room and throws his phone at me. Quickly I notice that he couldnt breathe and read the message. I asked if he wanted me to call 911, but he said we couldn't wait. So, we hop in my car and rush to the nearest emergency room (which is luckily 2 mins from our house).
The whole time I am working to calm him down and telling him to slowly breathe.
Thankfully the staff was able to give him medication to reduce the inflamation to help him breathe. Unfortunately, with the lateness of the stage and how big the tumor is in his throat, we were told that it could happen again and he would need a trach tube put in to help him breathe. He was apprehensive but understood that he needed to have the procedure.
( At the moment of me typing this to you, he is still at the hospital, waiting to be discharged)
Recommended Treatment:
We have been to two hospitals and have settled on working with the City of Hope. The treatments they have recommended are surgery (which would remove his voice box) and chemo. My dad has chosen to start with chemo first to see if it will help shrink the tumor and kill the cancer cells. Also, save his voice box!
Why Go Fund Me:
It is honestly hard to reach out to people and ask for help, but we are in a situation where we have to. My dad is the last parent I have and I need help to save his life. Any donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated.
How these funds will help my Hero:
Your donation, no matter how big or small will help tremendously. Your donation will go towards medical bills, medicaiton and medical support.
How you can help:
- Share our story on social media with a personal message
- Donate what you can to this GoFundMe page
- Send positive thoughts, vibes and prayers for a speedy recovery
Graditude:
I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to read and share our family's story. My father is the most important person in the world to me and I know he is grateful for each and every persons help.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
My name is Keith Johnson II and I would like to tell you about my father, Keith Johnson, and my family. My father has been my hero since I can remember. He is a charismatic, funny and a person who has a love for life. Basically, a man who will do anything possible for his family. Just like every other family we have gone throuhg tragedies and hard times. In 2002, my father, sisters and I lost our mother (his wife) to a 5 year battle with breast cancer. It was a devastating time for our family and together we have fought through it.
What happened:
Let's fast forward to 2016. Now, at this time, I was living in China. I would talk to my dad everyday. He was very invested in my experience and making sure that I would capitalize on every oppotunity I came across there. But in October of 2016, I noticed a change in his voice. He said that he had been feeling sick but wasn't sure what it was. So we agreed that he would go to the doctor and check things out. The doctors thought he had a flu and described medicine for the flu. Over the next couple of months his voice was not gettting better but he didnt feel ill. But through this time he had been losing a lot of weight.
In March of 2017, I was in Malaysia for work. While I was there I would video chat with my dad everyday. He mentioned that he was concerned for his health and he scheduled an appointment to see a specialist. I told him as soon as he hears something to call me, no matter what time it was.
I get the call. I remember feeling nervous and unsettled. He said, "I have something to tell you. "Just tell me it isnt cancer," I replied, hoping with all my might that it wasn't cancer. He said, " I am sorry to tell you but its cancer and its in my throat." I went numb. I went silent for a minute. But then I snapped back to reality and asked him what he needed of me. Unfortunately, I was on the other side of the world and couldnt do anything at the moment but he told me to wait and let him get some more information. Even though he said that, I knew that I would have to quit my job and come home to be by his side.
Once he told me that he was stage 4, I packed up all my stuff and booked the first flight back to Los Angeles. He is the last parent that I have and I don't know what I would do without him.
The scariest moment in my life:
It was Friday morning, May 12th. We were getting ready to go to the hospital to start his first round of chemo. All of a sudden he bursts into my room and throws his phone at me. Quickly I notice that he couldnt breathe and read the message. I asked if he wanted me to call 911, but he said we couldn't wait. So, we hop in my car and rush to the nearest emergency room (which is luckily 2 mins from our house).
The whole time I am working to calm him down and telling him to slowly breathe.
Thankfully the staff was able to give him medication to reduce the inflamation to help him breathe. Unfortunately, with the lateness of the stage and how big the tumor is in his throat, we were told that it could happen again and he would need a trach tube put in to help him breathe. He was apprehensive but understood that he needed to have the procedure.
( At the moment of me typing this to you, he is still at the hospital, waiting to be discharged)
Recommended Treatment:
We have been to two hospitals and have settled on working with the City of Hope. The treatments they have recommended are surgery (which would remove his voice box) and chemo. My dad has chosen to start with chemo first to see if it will help shrink the tumor and kill the cancer cells. Also, save his voice box!
Why Go Fund Me:
It is honestly hard to reach out to people and ask for help, but we are in a situation where we have to. My dad is the last parent I have and I need help to save his life. Any donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated.
How these funds will help my Hero:
Your donation, no matter how big or small will help tremendously. Your donation will go towards medical bills, medicaiton and medical support.
How you can help:
- Share our story on social media with a personal message
- Donate what you can to this GoFundMe page
- Send positive thoughts, vibes and prayers for a speedy recovery
Graditude:
I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to read and share our family's story. My father is the most important person in the world to me and I know he is grateful for each and every persons help.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.