Two years ago, after Christmas of 2023. New year of 2024, my father was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer and lymphatic disease, and since then our lives have completely changed. In late 2024, in September/October, he started doing really good, tests were showing positive outcomes as well as the cancer was “completely gone” as the doctors said. Then comes thanksgiving time, and his body starts declining. The cancer starts to spread, but even worse. To the Brain, in his other lung, and now onto Lymph’s Nodes.

He is now refusing treatment. He decided that he has had enough of everything, no more Yale Clinical Trails, no more medications, no poking or prodding or testing. He's done. Watching my father become a whole different person, has been absolutely trenching and heart breaking for me and my family to watch. Everyday there was something different, something new. At first, we held onto hope that he would be able to fight through it, but as time has gone on, his health has drastically declined, making it harder for him to even do the littlest things he enjoys. The one thing he enjoyed, turning wrenches, changing tires, changing batteries in a car, he can now no longer do because his illness has taken over his life, and his body, and his strength. As well as just simply spending time with his family, that is as well as hard for him to do. I watched the strong, hardworking man I grew up with slowly lose his strength day by day, time by time. These things that once came so easily to him—walking, talking without being out of breath, even just enjoying a meal—are now battles he faces daily. Despite everything, he has shown so much courage and continues to fight, but the toll this disease has taken on his body and spirit has been overwhelming.

We aren’t asking for much—just a simple lending hand. Even the smallest act of kindness or support can make the biggest difference during this time. A little help goes a long way, and it can ease such a heavy burden that we’ve been carrying. Sometimes it’s not about grand gestures, but about someone reaching out, showing care, and offering what they can. every bit of support means more than words can express.