I hate asking but for my father I would do anything. At the moment we are in a desperate situation in need of help with nowhere else to turn. My dad has the same cancer I had years ago Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma though a lower stage, he needs radiation which is $7400.00 we had insurance until his job decided he was too slow and the appointments inconvenient, he was doing his best to work through the side effects of the chemo and radiation. He is constantly exhausted which is expected during and after treatment. They knew of his condition before he was hired. We have used both our savings and everything else. We just have dealt with many circumstances out of our control.

One was my mom who had serious heart problems since my birth (post-partum cardiomyopathy into a rare form of atrial fibrillation) and as a result she was gravely ill for my entire life. Which included many hospitals stays, surgeries, procedures including ablations, mini maze and eventually a pacer. My brother and myself never knew if she would be home, alive, in the hospital, being cardioverted or whatever needed to be done. My father for all those years handled all of it with grace and strength.

As of recent my dad has had several hospital stays for various things including complex partial seizure, head injuries, diverticulitis and various infections that left him incoherent, each ambulance ride was $1000.00 plus the days in the hospital. He also needs extensive dental work as there is concern of it affecting his heart due to the severity of the issues.

Unfortunately, I contributed to the cause of our financial issues. I needed 4 reconstructive joint surgeries, 3 abdominal surgeries, 3 jaw surgeries, multiple procedures, ports, piccs, lines, tubes, injections, and RFA’s for my spine. After one of the surgeries, it was found that I have a rare genetic syndrome that impacts my whole body as it deals with collagen. Before I could process this, I was diagnosed with pneumonia, then stage 4 cancer, an aggressive form we were told. I recovered after treatment thanks to my family and especially my father’s dedication.

You see at that point my dad had just completed a government contract. Which ended the same week I was diagnosed, so he chose to take care of me during treatment rather than find another job right away and for 2 ½ years, he literally carried me, cleaned up my vomit, took me to treatment, got me to the hospital for transfusions, made sure I got my meds on time (still does), held me when I cried from the horrible migraines treatment caused. My father and big brother always came to infusions we grew closer as a result.

He is the absolute best dad you could ever ask for or imagine, my parents were amazing people. My mom and brother sadly passed away 2017(brother) and 2019(mother) both were extremely sudden just hearts stopped, It did not help that for years before and during I was constantly in the hospital for various reasons and in 2018 I fell into a month-long septic coma. My parents took shifts so someone was always there making sure I was okay. With my conditions it was necessary, but most people I know wouldn’t have that amount of dedication.

I am lucky to have had the immediate family I did; I am grateful my dad is still alive. It is just the 2 of us. My home health nurse is amazing and immensely helpful and necessary, but we need $2300.00 plus rent (1758.00) and cobra insurance (1162.00) for my continued care and supplies. I am fed through a GJ tube (feeding tube), Dad and myself both have an inserted catheter in our chest called a port, to receive hydration and treatment. My father is exhausted and I help where I can but its limited. He has never been seriously ill before and is having a hard time needing and asking for help.

My friends suggested this option and I did my best to make this as comprehensive and succinct as possible. I have called organizations and most of them say they don’t have the budget at the moment to help us. Honestly anything helps and if you can help thank you, if you are not in a situation where you can donate we understand. ask for prayer or well wishes, God Bless.