Hope for Weldon
Weldon Dwayne Gilbert, age 52, is the loving husband of Melida Gilbert, father of Amber Gilbert, Bobby Gilbert and Tabitha Sartain, and the most wonderful Papa of seven (almost eight) beautiful grandbabies. My father in law is one of the most free spirited people I know. He's hilarious, witty, a tell it like it is and give the shirt off his back kind of guy.
After losing his older brother, Wayne Gilbert, to lung cancer in December of 2015, he stood by his wife's side as she fought and beat kidney cancer in the winter of 2016. He became all too familiar with the symptoms of cancer so in February, when he began experiencing back pains and other alarming symptoms, he decided it was time to talk to a doctor.
On March 10th, he went to the emergency room where he spent the day undergoing all kinds of tests and MRIs. The MRI showed a 3 centimeter mass on his pancreas but at that time, they were unable to tell what the mass was so he was referred to a surgeon oncologist.
On April 10th, the oncologist ordered an endoscopy, blood work and a second MRI to determine more about the mass. April 18th, Weldon went in for his second MRI where they discovered that the mass had nearly doubled in size and was now spreading into his liver.
April 26th, he had an endoscopy and biopsy done. It was that day that we heard that word...that word that causes your whole world to shatter around you. Cancer. It's such a terrifying word to hear but we still have hope. After all, Weldon has a fight in him like no other, a strong will to live and so much to live for. "He's going to fight and he's going to beat this!" we told ourselves.
As if the news that he has cancer wasn't heartbreaking enough, on May 5th, he received news from the doctor that was less than hopeful. It was the sort of news that rips the heart from your chest. We learned that the cancer is growing too rapidly to stop. No cure...no one wants to hear those words. Even with chemotherapy and radiation, it will only slow the progression down. You don't fully comprehend just how precious every moment is until you get news like that. He goes for his first session of chemo on May 15th. If this works the way we hope and pray that it does then he may be blessed with another year on this earth but if it doesn't, the cancer will possibly claim his life within a few short months.
There are no words to describe what cancer does to a family. All we can do is pray. Pray for the strength to get through this; for some sort of miracle. Pray for Weldon and his family.
Although we still cling to hope, I have set up this GoFundMe account to help my mother in law pay for memorial expenses. Weldon is currently selling everything that he can to help cover what he can of the costs. Every little bit helps. Every donation, every prayer and every share helps tremedously and means the world to this family. I thank you all in advance for your generosity.