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Hi, my name is Jeff Gibson & this is my story:
In July of 2015, just after my 49th birthday, I was diagnosed with Stage IIIB Nodular Melanoma. Suddenly, the normal routines of rearing 4 young children with Anna, my beautiful wife of 26 years, were turned completely upside down. A battery of medical tests, scans & procedures led to major surgery in September & the new reality of life with Nodular Melanoma - the most aggressive & lethal form of skin cancer.
Although surgery removed the initial tumor from my back, the doctors counselled for frequent exams, due to the aggressive nature of the disease & its potential to rapidly spread throughout my body. Early detection is key! Every 3 months, I would be examined & any new disease assessed. Ideally, from the time of first diagnosis & treatment, you are aiming for what's called, "NED" or "No Evidence Of Disease." It is a 5-year objective that all cancer survivors are aiming for, praying for! Any recurrence of cancer, especially within the first 18-24 months carries with it a much higher risk for worsening outcomes. Unfortunately, that is now my experience, as several new tumors on my chest & left ear have been detected & require major surgery. I am asking for your prayers & for your help, through this gofundme account.
Up until now, my wife & I have shouldered the mounting expenses of treatment, at a cost of almost $50,000 over the course of just this past year! We have had to make financial arrangements with doctors, surgeons, dermatologists, anaesthesiologists, medical groups, imaging centers, pathology labs & hospitals, just to send small payments (usually $25-75 per month, each) as indication of our sincere intent to honor our debts. These are the crucial Care Providers, so integral to my battle with cancer - I am grateful to them all! As an example of the on-going financial challenges (even with decent health insurance), in the last 3 weeks, alone I have incurred almost $6,000 in cost for scans & the major surgery I am scheduled for, next Thursday, 08/18/16.
Faith, family & close friends have been the lifeline of support, these past 12 months of my rollercoaster ride. I thank God for each & every kindness extended toward me & my family! My wife & children have been incredibly strong throughout, even as we grapple with the uncertainties of the future. We are trusting, we are hoping & we are fighting!
Will you please fight with me? I would be so grateful for any assistance you feel led to offer. On behalf of my family & from the depth of my heart, I thank you.
In July of 2015, just after my 49th birthday, I was diagnosed with Stage IIIB Nodular Melanoma. Suddenly, the normal routines of rearing 4 young children with Anna, my beautiful wife of 26 years, were turned completely upside down. A battery of medical tests, scans & procedures led to major surgery in September & the new reality of life with Nodular Melanoma - the most aggressive & lethal form of skin cancer.
Although surgery removed the initial tumor from my back, the doctors counselled for frequent exams, due to the aggressive nature of the disease & its potential to rapidly spread throughout my body. Early detection is key! Every 3 months, I would be examined & any new disease assessed. Ideally, from the time of first diagnosis & treatment, you are aiming for what's called, "NED" or "No Evidence Of Disease." It is a 5-year objective that all cancer survivors are aiming for, praying for! Any recurrence of cancer, especially within the first 18-24 months carries with it a much higher risk for worsening outcomes. Unfortunately, that is now my experience, as several new tumors on my chest & left ear have been detected & require major surgery. I am asking for your prayers & for your help, through this gofundme account.
Up until now, my wife & I have shouldered the mounting expenses of treatment, at a cost of almost $50,000 over the course of just this past year! We have had to make financial arrangements with doctors, surgeons, dermatologists, anaesthesiologists, medical groups, imaging centers, pathology labs & hospitals, just to send small payments (usually $25-75 per month, each) as indication of our sincere intent to honor our debts. These are the crucial Care Providers, so integral to my battle with cancer - I am grateful to them all! As an example of the on-going financial challenges (even with decent health insurance), in the last 3 weeks, alone I have incurred almost $6,000 in cost for scans & the major surgery I am scheduled for, next Thursday, 08/18/16.
Faith, family & close friends have been the lifeline of support, these past 12 months of my rollercoaster ride. I thank God for each & every kindness extended toward me & my family! My wife & children have been incredibly strong throughout, even as we grapple with the uncertainties of the future. We are trusting, we are hoping & we are fighting!
Will you please fight with me? I would be so grateful for any assistance you feel led to offer. On behalf of my family & from the depth of my heart, I thank you.