Help Fr. Ted Fight Lymphoma

Hello my name is Paul. My dad, Theodore, affectionately known as Fr. Ted to most was born in Greece just after WW 2 ended. He lived in the Pangrati area of Athens during his childhood with his parents and four brothers. His life was a simple one there helping take care of the home and family whenever his mom asked. In his adolescence and 20’s he had an extensive swimming career winning many competitions and breaking a few records.

(Dad is on the right)

When he came of age he joined the Greek navy for his mandatory military service. There his swimming career was raised to a much higher level and was asked to join the Greek national team where he kept on winning competitions until after he was discharged when his service time was up. After his discharge he started working as a merchant marine with the Onassis fleet. He worked his way up to second mate. He learned very quickly and was the captain’s “right hand man” unofficially speaking. He has sailed all over the world delivering oil to almost every major port. During a journey that took them around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope they were ordered to sail through a hurricane (instead of going around it) so they could make their delivery to Philadelphia on time. It was in the midst of that hurricane he encountered true peril and at that moment he promised his life to God if the Lord spared him and his crew. He promised God to serve in whatever role the Lord saw fit to call him to. Once making port they had to put into dry dock for repairs. The American engineers repairing the ship kept asking them, “You took that ship through a hurricane?” Upon answering in the affirmative (several times) the engineers told them that it was a miracle they were alive. The whole ship was being held together with one, albeit massive, bolt. It was truly a miracle. After working as a merchant marine he immigrated to the USA in 1973 and went to college for drafting. He was hired by a large oil company right out of college. Then the “oil crisis” hit saying we were running out of oil. Gasoline was being rationed and he was eventually laid off from that company. Ironically he stayed in the “oil business” when he went to work for a gas station where he pumped gas, changed oil, and did car inspections. He met the love of his life and got married three years later. They moved from just outside of Atlanta, Georgia to Houston, Texas. There his wife Kathy and he were very close to the church and sang in the choir. Upon speaking to the priest at the church there and telling him that he was not sure what to do or where to go at that point in his life the priest, Fr. Nick Triantafilou, suggested he go to Seminary to be a priest. At that moment he remembered his promise to God and felt like a surge of electricity went through him. So after that advise he and his wife moved to Brookline, Massachusetts so he could attend Holy Cross seminary. His last year there they had their first and only child, me.

Now that you know a tiny part of his backstory I want to tell you that Rev. Fr. Ted is a beloved husband and father. He means the world to us. He has been a Greek Orthodox priest for 36 years, serving the Waco community since 1991 up until September of 2020 when a new full-time priest became available. When needed, Dad filled in where he was needed, traveling all over Texas and even all the way to Rock Springs, Wyoming to celebrate Holy Week and Pascha with them since they do not have a full-time priest.

Dad has been diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Since his diagnosis, we have been in and out of the hospital for the fifth time now.

This road started with a large expulsion of blood due to diverticulitis. He was in the hospital for a week while tests were run and he was monitored. After being released, he was so weak he could barely speak, let alone walk unassisted. I've taken leave from work to help take care of him 24/7.

Since his first hospital stay, he has had a UTI issue and now is battling sepsis. The fourth time he was admitted and subsequently discharged from the hospital, they found an infection in his blood, which is referred to as sepsis. He had a few good days after being discharged, but I noticed he had a fever again, which prompted this fifth ER visit.

On top of the cancer and chemotherapy, these hospital bills are becoming increasingly expensive. Any help that can be offered will be most appreciated and greatly welcome.

All funds raised will be spent on medical bills as well as other bills we incur during this tumultuous time. We expect 97% to 99% of the $30,000 (now 45k goal) will be needed for his treatment alone. $30,000 is just an estimate at this time (as is 45k). However with the large amount of hospital stays and any more unforeseen ER visits that figure could increase.

(12/11/24) We have had to hire a helper from a local outfit to care for dad while I am at work. Mom is 73 and just can’t do it all.

5/5/25

updating goal due to complications with dad and his health. He is being referred to an inpatient therapy center. Basically a nursing home. The doctors say he needs to get his strength back with physical therapy. Unfortunately he will not be able to get his chemotherapy treatment if he goes there. That means it will be completely out of pocket for us if they even allow him to get treatment. I am definitely reeling from this news but God in His abundant mercy will provide. I will keep everyone updated.

With love and faith we march onward. As I said before any donation is appreciated. The folks at gofundme recommend that I give a “suggested donation amount”, I refuse to do that. Please give whatever God moves you to give, and please remember prayers are priceless.

God bless you and as Christ Himself said…

“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” Matt: 10: 42

Matt 25: 34-40

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.