Jamie’s epic battle

My former Boss and treasured friend Jamie Clohesy, is facing the battle of his life. He was first diagnosed with invasive collerectal cancer 3 years ago. Since initial diagnosis Jamie has undergone chemotherapy, radiation, alternative therapies and anything that touted it would help!! He had his bowel removed and has a colostomy bag.  Despite all the treatment he has endured, Jamie’s cancer has spread to his stomach, kidneys, liver and lungs. He has had half a lung removed and recently went into renal failure as a result of the pressure tumours were putting on his kidneys. An operation to alleviate this has been somewhat successful, but during further testing whilst in hospital for his latest surgery, it was discovered that He now has Tumors in his brain.  Current infections have ruled out any further surgical intervention.  Jamie has finally been given a terminal diagnosis with an estimated time frame of 2-3 short months. He can no longer work to support his family which consists of 6 children, the youngest two still live at home with him and his wife Jacqui as they are 5 and 8 years old respectively. Jamie is only 46 years young.... His supportive wife has had to reduce her work hours in order to help care for him at home as his health has deteriorated.  I spoke at length with Jamie yesterday and he was in remarkable spirits and is determined this disease will not beat him, nor will it define him. I am in awe of his courage and stoicism!!! I am also deeply sad as I do not want to lose such a supportive friend. Jamie said to me “I do not fear death..... but I do fear what I will leave behind”.   After battling this insidious disease for so long already, Jamie and his family have struggled to make ends meet. On top of medical costs and not being able to work, their mortgage still needs to be paid. Jamie admitted to me that he was feeling bad for fear of not being able to keep a roof over his families head. In the face of what his challenges are I think  the stress of this is a burden he shouldn’t be worrying about. I know my friend is a proud man and wouldn’t consider asking for help, so I am doing it for him. He said he was gonna aim for one more Christmas with his family.   Please, if you can spare anything please donate whatever you can afford.  Let us help Jamie be as stress free as he can be, so that he can enjoy what time he has left with his family and friends, without the worry of keeping a roof over his family’s head. He is not only my friend, but has been a friend to many. The type that would give you the shirt off his own back.  Help me to help him stress less at this terrible time. Say a prayer for him and his family and most of all pray for a cure for this insidious disease.  Cancer sux!!