My name is Alex, and I'm the daughter of Thomas Irvin Jackson. I just want to start off by saying that my dad is, without a doubt, the most caring man that I have ever met. He has never ever hesitated to help anyone in need. Everyone has heard the saying "he'd give you the shirt off his back," my daddy most certainly would! He has spent so many afternoons mowing yards for people, fixing their cars, working on stuff around their houses, helping people move to new houses, and so much more! No matter where he is or what he's doing, he will drop everything to help someone else. That's just the kind of person that he is. He has always taught my brother and I that no matter what, you should be kind and helpful to others. He has given Josh the blueprint of how a good man lives, and he has given me the blueprint of how my future husband should treat me and others. Josh and I have always said that our parents are superheroes. Well, sometimes superheroes face some pretty scary stuff. 
     On October 22nd, dad went to the ER to report some severe abdominal pain that he had been experiencing for quite a while. The doctors conducted a CT scan and shocked us all by revealing that the scan showed a large mass in his esophagus and two spots on his liver. Later that night, he was transported to St. Michaels in Texarkana. On Friday afternoon, his doctor did a scope and told us that we would have results from the biopsy within 24 business hours. Our stomachs were in knots waiting for the results. Monday came, and though we were very optimistic, we did not get the news that we were hoping for. On October 26, 2020, dad was diagnosed with Gastric Adenocarcinoma, stage 4. We were all completely shocked and terrified, dad most of all. Unfortunately due to COVID, we were not allowed to be in his room together, so we all had to visit him one at a time. There was a lot of heavy silence, many tears, but there were even more tight hugs and linked hands. Suddenly, we went into fight mode. Dad knew that he had to do whatever it takes to beat this, and we will be there beside him every step of the way. He started chemotherapy on the 27th and immediately began giving this everything he has! He said that he is not going to let cancer win! With God and each other, we can get through anything! He will hopefully be able to come home in the next few days but will need to go back for more treatment about every two weeks. We have a long road ahead of us, and we are going to need all of the support that we can get! Donations will help with the cost of treatments and travel so he can focus on not letting this cancer win! Thank you to everyone who has been praying for dad, and thank you for all of the kind words of encouragement! 


 



   "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  - Jeremiah 29:11