Our dad, Ronald Leslie, is an amazing father, grandfather, brother, friend, co-worker, neighbor, and person who has helped many people for many years. Unfortunately, he now needs our help.

On May 10, 2022, Dad was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. Two weeks before getting this diagnosis, he was misdiagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. For reasons we don’t fully understand, his doctors waited two weeks to have his liver biopsied. This led to his correct diagnosis, which initially gave us a sliver of hope that he might be able to beat cancer. However, the misdiagnosis and the delay in getting a biopsy slowed down his healing process because he wasn’t being given any treatment. During those two weeks when we thought he had pancreatic cancer, his health quickly went downhill. We were waiting to see the oncologist and start treatment when Dad started experiencing hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is high calcium levels in the blood that can be caused by cancer. It leads to problems in heart and kidney function and mental confusion. We noticed the mental confusion about a week after his initial misdiagnosis and took him to the emergency room. They treated him with IV fluids and sent him home after a few hours. The symptoms quickly returned, and he was transported to the hospital by ambulance on May 31st.

He was admitted to the hospital to treat the hypercalcemia, and the doctors quickly determined that his kidneys were starting to shut down. The cancer had begun to spread throughout his body. At about this same time, the biopsy results came back, and we learned the correct diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. He was given RCHOP chemo treatment to help shrink his body's tumours. The chemo helped slow the spread of the cancer, but in the process, it has also led to other health complications that keep Dad in the hospital. He has had pneumonia twice, decreased kidney function, and fluid has developed around his heart and lungs, leading to signs of heart failure. They have had to temporarily stop chemotherapy while we wait for the fluid on his heart and pneumonia to improve. He has been in the hospital for 34 days now. Although there have been many ups and downs, the oncologist has assured us that Dad’s kidney and heart function can improve, and he can beat this cancer. Despite all the setbacks and the disappointment, he hasn’t given up. He’s not someone who gives in easily, and we know that this spirit is keeping him going.

We are raising funds because of the severity and aggressiveness of this cancer and Dad’s current life circumstances. Dad has always been a hardworking man supporting his family. At 71, he was still working and was hoping to be able to retire in a few years. Dad’s job provided him and Mom with health insurance benefits. Due to this devastating and life-changing event, Dad will likely be unable to return to work, and those benefits will end. Mom has also taken a leave of absence from her job to be at the hospital with Dad. While Medicare is being used to help pay medical bills, it does not cover everything needed to treat this disease. Until Dad is healthy enough, Mom will be his primary caretaker and will be unable to return to work. They will be forced to live off their retirement savings. The funds raised will be used to help pay for medical expenses and to help take some of the burden off their hearts and minds. We appreciate you taking the time to read our dad’s story. Any donations you can offer are greatly appreciated. Thank you!