James Oliver Jr. Stage 4 Cancer Fund

Dear family and friends. I am reaching out to you to ask for help for my Sister Kathy and my Brother-in-law Jim. As many of you already know, Jim has been battling cancer since March of 2020. A lump was found on Jim's calf and he was diagnosed with Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (Sarcoma) and has been battling cancer ever since. He had surgery and radiation to treat it but there is no cure. In March of this year, Jim was told that the cancer had spread to his spine. The tumor crushed his L2 vertebrae and then moved up his spine to three other vertebrae, requiring two surgeries within three weeks. He now has rods and screws in his spine to support the damaged vertebrae. As of this week, it was discovered that the cancer has spread to his hip as well. Jim has been in the hospital for over 30 days and just finished another round of aggressive radiation. This is an extremely aggressive form of cancer, there is no cure and it is inoperable. Radiation and chemo are only a treatment. As of yesterday's meeting with the Oncologist, Jim has been diagnosed as Terminal and they decided not to do chemo. The doctor, as well as Jim and the family feel it would only make him sicker and weaker. After much thought and consideration, Jim has decided to come home under Hospice care instead of going to a nursing home. 

 

Just a little bit about Jim. Jim is loved for many reasons, some of which are for his kind heart and his smile and contagious laugh. He is an avid music lover and plays the guitar and sings. He has been involved in the heavy metal music scene for many years. Jim and Kathy have been happily married for 25 years. They are truly best friends. They have a grandson that they both adore and spend as much time with as possible. They also both love camping and motorcycle riding, which has been nearly impossible since Jim's first surgery on his leg.

 

Throughout this battle, Jim has continued to work even while he is having radiation and has been working from his hospital bed. The day has come where he is unable to continue to work. This is going to be extremely challenging for them in many ways. Jim’s health insurance is through his employer, so there will be no more full coverage insurance, only Medicaid which only provides the minimum.  They are starting the process of applying for disability but that takes 90 days to go through. The accumulating costs of medical bills, medications, home care assistance and even setting up their home to allow Jim to be as mobile and self sufficient as possible is going to be daunting. Jim and Kathy are very humble people and the last thing they want to do is to ask for help, but sometimes, you don’t have a choice and need to reach out. We understand that the state of our economy is causing so much suffering for so many, but any contribution you can afford to give (and sharing this with as many people as possible) will go so far to help Jim and Kathy continue to fight without the fear of the medical bills coming in the mail and worrying about how they are going to pay them or how they are going to keep a roof over their heads, and will allow them to focus on what's really important, fighting this battle!

 

Thank you for your caring, help and support. It is greatly appreciated. We wish you all Love, happiness and good health!