Dear Family and Friends, I'm Rick and my wife is Maureen. It's very embarrassing to have to ask for help with our medical bills. If this wasn't extremely dire in a very short time, I would try to figure another way. My wife and I were always healthy and active, so I never imagined being in this position. I owned a thriving business for over 30 years. Things really started to fall apart 8-9 years ago, I suffered 4 heart attacks in one week and underwent lifesaving surgery for 3 heart blockages (2 arteries were 100% blocked). This alone changed what I could do physically for my family. That was start of the decline of my health. Soon after, I began having strange symptoms, and tumors were found in my inner ear, brain and lung, which required radiation treatments. 
 
I've been dealing with many health complications, including congestive heart failure, vision issues and peripheral artery disease and cancer (prostate cancer and, just recently, suspected kidney cancer). I've had surgeries on both eyes, which affected my job as a graphic designer. 
 
I've had surgeries on both knees, which were healing when I suffered a foot injury that ulcerated and became septic 2 years ago. Half of my right foot was amputated and the wound is still healing. The amputation wound has become infected and septic many times, as recently as last month. In 2023, I had a 7 hour leg artery bypass surgery for a life threatening blockage. 
 
This year, when things seemed like they couldn't get worse, I was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, which progressed from Stage 1 to Stage 4 in under 3 months. I underwent cryotherapy and different chemo treatments. I recently was treated by what the doctors said is the best and last line of chemo treatment for me. The only option left after this is radiation. 
 
By the grace of God and great doctors, the latest update is that my prostate cancer is is reacting well to the last treatment. The doctor hopes the it will be close to remission if I can keep going in this direction. 
 
Unfortunately, based on symptoms and testing, just this week,the doctors are concerned that I may also have kidney cancer. More scans and a biopsy are needed soon to address this.
 
I have an implanted heart monitor due to heart failure and new blockages in my heart and legs. They're avoiding heart surgery until I am done with chemo because I am immune compromised. In the meantime, I am having bouts of A-fib and extremely high BP multiple times daily, putting me at risk of heart attack or stroke. 
 
I'm at the hospital/ER nearly daily for EKGs, stress tests, blood transfusions, iron infusions, clot busting and blood thinning IV meds and a myriad of other tests. 
 
All of the these treatments have copays. Even with great insurance. The COPAYS ALONE wipe out my ENTIRE income. 
 
After that, we still have basic living expenses, not to mention our health insurance premium ($800) and insanely high monthly prescription copays (over $700 minimum) for 16 oral medications, 2 insulin injections and a ton of supplies to clean and dress my foot wound. 
 
Even with health insurance, its impossible to live. There's no money left.
 
My wife of 17 years (23 years together) is an extremely hard worker. Until the birth of our daughter, she was in the workforce at the top of her game. Just before and after her pregnancy she developed severe autoimmune arthritis which requires a monthly IV infusion as well as multiple medications and most of the time that barely allows her to get out of bed. She forces through tremendous pain and takes care of our daughter and our home while I work a fulltime job. She has been trying to get a job outside of the house but due to her arthritis sitting at a desk and commuting is nearly impossible. 
 
We are asking for quick short term help so we don't lose our health insurance, our home and basic needs. My family needs to have health insurance just to survive. 
 
We were previously near forclosure and worked a deal with our mortgage company where we cannot miss a mortgage payment for 12 months or we will lose our house as well. We've been just barely able to maintain our mortgage, but with these added medical expenses, we are behind on this month's mortgage. 
 
I've sold just about everything I could sell to raise money. We had an auction company sell everything of value we owned. What's left, I do have listed on Facebook Marketplace, but the health insurance premium is needed or we'll lose our family health insurance policy. I can provide a copy of the letter for anybody who would like to see it if they have any doubts of my sincerity. 
 
Any amount will help, but if you can't afford it (we know times are tough all around), please send prayers and positive thoughts. Thank you all for listening. We appreciate you all so much. 
 
Sending positive thoughts, prayers and love to everyone. We're all going through something. If there's anything we can do for you (outside of monetarily at the moment), we are here with ears and arms wide open.

Darlene Tonks

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Please help our family: Cancer & Heart Failure

Please help our family: Cancer & Heart Failure

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