- D
- H
Hello Everyone! My name is Gabby and this GoFundMe page is to raise money for my father, Gilbert, who has been battling cancer for almost 2 years. I am currently taking care of him full-time (and have been since August of 2014), while my mother works full-time and commutes 2 hours a day so we can keep my father's health insurance. After lots of thought, I decided it was time for us to reach out to our family and friends for some help.
Early October of 2013, my father made a doctor's appointment to confirm what we thought was IBS. Tests were ran and the diagnosis was jarring - Gilbert had Stage 2 Colorectal Cancer. We immediately started planning his treatment with a team of oncologists and were ready to jump into action, thinking we could beat this before it got any worse.
Unfortunately, we hit a bump in the road. The company that my father was working for changed insurance providers. We couldn't afford this new insurance, so we decided that my father would be added to my mom's insurance, which meant that until January 2014 he would not be covered. This was our only option, we had to postpone his treatment for 2 months.
January 2014, and we were back in action! We had a plan and were ready to take it on! Gilbert's primary doctor decided to run some tests, just to see what shape he was in after the last couple months. The results were shattering. What started out as Stage 2 Colorectal cancer had quickly progressed to Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer with spreading to his lungs and lymphnodes.
( Mom and Dad, two of the strongest people I know!)
Nothing could has prepared us for this, but we stayed hopeful. We would beat this! We would figure it out, because that's what we always do! With a newer, more aggressive plan in place, we started treatment. It was very tough for Gilbert, and at times he questioned if he even wanted treatment at all. But that was always short lived. He bounced back from every moment of doubt even more hopeful and determined.
By mid-2014, things were looking up. Gilbert's treatment was overall working very well, with some adjustments here and there to accommodate the unpredictable nature of his cancer. We had figured it out!
And then something happened that would change our lives forever. In June of 2014, my father developed a blister on the bottom of his foot. Normally this would be nothing of concern, but due to my father's diabetes and accompanying diabetic neuropathy, this blister quickly grew into a sore without him even noticing. By the time we (his family) had found out, this sore was massive and required immediate medical attention. Gilbert developed necrosis in his foot, which there was only one solution for. In August of 2014, Gilbert's right leg was amputated below the knee.
The 2 months that followed were truly the hardest thing any of us had ever been through. His recovery was physically, mentally, and emotionally painful for all of us.
We started out this year with some hope. My dad was recovered, and walking! His treatment was back on track. Things were good and calm. We finally had a chance to catch out breath and just feel normal for a bit. That is until my father was laid off. This was less than favorable, but we had faced worse! And we figured it all out, just like we always do.
In April of 2015, after having issues with some very intense back pain, we discovered that my dad's cancer had spread again. This time to his bones (spine, shoulder, and ribs), adrenal gland, and thyroid. Since then, my father's health has been declining at an uncomfortable rate.
The donations we receive will be used to cover many things critical to his treatment (co-pays, prescriptions, transportation costs, etc) so we can continue without any bumps in the road. Part of the money we raise will also go towards paying for my father's insurance, which is around $1,200 a month. Any extra money will be used to help us to move closer to my mother's work place and our extended family. We thank you in advance for any amount of financial generosity you can provide. If you are unable to help us financially, feel free to share this with your friends and family! Every little bit helps!
Early October of 2013, my father made a doctor's appointment to confirm what we thought was IBS. Tests were ran and the diagnosis was jarring - Gilbert had Stage 2 Colorectal Cancer. We immediately started planning his treatment with a team of oncologists and were ready to jump into action, thinking we could beat this before it got any worse.
Unfortunately, we hit a bump in the road. The company that my father was working for changed insurance providers. We couldn't afford this new insurance, so we decided that my father would be added to my mom's insurance, which meant that until January 2014 he would not be covered. This was our only option, we had to postpone his treatment for 2 months.
January 2014, and we were back in action! We had a plan and were ready to take it on! Gilbert's primary doctor decided to run some tests, just to see what shape he was in after the last couple months. The results were shattering. What started out as Stage 2 Colorectal cancer had quickly progressed to Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer with spreading to his lungs and lymphnodes.
( Mom and Dad, two of the strongest people I know!)Nothing could has prepared us for this, but we stayed hopeful. We would beat this! We would figure it out, because that's what we always do! With a newer, more aggressive plan in place, we started treatment. It was very tough for Gilbert, and at times he questioned if he even wanted treatment at all. But that was always short lived. He bounced back from every moment of doubt even more hopeful and determined.
By mid-2014, things were looking up. Gilbert's treatment was overall working very well, with some adjustments here and there to accommodate the unpredictable nature of his cancer. We had figured it out!
And then something happened that would change our lives forever. In June of 2014, my father developed a blister on the bottom of his foot. Normally this would be nothing of concern, but due to my father's diabetes and accompanying diabetic neuropathy, this blister quickly grew into a sore without him even noticing. By the time we (his family) had found out, this sore was massive and required immediate medical attention. Gilbert developed necrosis in his foot, which there was only one solution for. In August of 2014, Gilbert's right leg was amputated below the knee.
The 2 months that followed were truly the hardest thing any of us had ever been through. His recovery was physically, mentally, and emotionally painful for all of us.
We started out this year with some hope. My dad was recovered, and walking! His treatment was back on track. Things were good and calm. We finally had a chance to catch out breath and just feel normal for a bit. That is until my father was laid off. This was less than favorable, but we had faced worse! And we figured it all out, just like we always do.
In April of 2015, after having issues with some very intense back pain, we discovered that my dad's cancer had spread again. This time to his bones (spine, shoulder, and ribs), adrenal gland, and thyroid. Since then, my father's health has been declining at an uncomfortable rate.
The donations we receive will be used to cover many things critical to his treatment (co-pays, prescriptions, transportation costs, etc) so we can continue without any bumps in the road. Part of the money we raise will also go towards paying for my father's insurance, which is around $1,200 a month. Any extra money will be used to help us to move closer to my mother's work place and our extended family. We thank you in advance for any amount of financial generosity you can provide. If you are unable to help us financially, feel free to share this with your friends and family! Every little bit helps!