Kicking Cancer to the Curb!
Donation protected
Jerry Gartman, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and mentor retired last year. After more than 30 years of teaching and coaching, he was looking forward to retirement. Spending time with his family, fishing, playing golf and enjoying life was on the agenda. After all, retirement is suppose to be a time of relaxation and enjoyment, right? Unfortunately that's not what life had in store.
Last week on June 16, 2014 he was diagnosed with stage 2B Pancreatic Cancer. At age 61, he now has to fight for his life. To aid in the fight, we setup this fund to help pay medical bills that will be incurred during his treatment. The tumor is located at the head of the pancreas and has grown large enough to create a blockage. This blockage has negatively impacted the function of his liver and bile duct. On June 18, 2014 the physician inserted a stint through the tumor to open up the passageway, which is only a temporary solution.
On July 2, 2014 Jerry will undergo a procedure called 'The Whipple'. The goal of the Whipple procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy) is to remove the head of the pancreas, where most tumors occur. Because the pancreas is so integrated with other organs, the surgeon must also remove the first part of small intestine (duodenum), the gallbladder, the end of the common bile duct and sometimes a portion of the stomach. In the reconstruction phase of the operation, the intestine, bile duct and remaining portion of the pancreas are reconnected. The Whipple procedure is a difficult and demanding operation for both the person undergoing surgery and the surgeon. After the surgery, Jerry will undergo 4 to 6 months of chemotherapy in hopes to destroy any lingering cancers cells that were not removed during surgery.
This deadly disease has impacted millions of lives all over the world, but you never stop to think it could happen to you or your loved ones. This disease found its way into our family and now we will help find it's way out. We will meet this challenge with courage, strength and endurance. We will fight, pray and we will win this battle against cancer.
Please help us in our fight and make a small donation. More importantly, PRAY for our Hero. Pray he is cured and can lead a happy and healthy life and a chance to finally enjoy his retirement.
Thank you,
Annette, Lee, Wendy, Brayden and Lexi.
Last week on June 16, 2014 he was diagnosed with stage 2B Pancreatic Cancer. At age 61, he now has to fight for his life. To aid in the fight, we setup this fund to help pay medical bills that will be incurred during his treatment. The tumor is located at the head of the pancreas and has grown large enough to create a blockage. This blockage has negatively impacted the function of his liver and bile duct. On June 18, 2014 the physician inserted a stint through the tumor to open up the passageway, which is only a temporary solution.
On July 2, 2014 Jerry will undergo a procedure called 'The Whipple'. The goal of the Whipple procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy) is to remove the head of the pancreas, where most tumors occur. Because the pancreas is so integrated with other organs, the surgeon must also remove the first part of small intestine (duodenum), the gallbladder, the end of the common bile duct and sometimes a portion of the stomach. In the reconstruction phase of the operation, the intestine, bile duct and remaining portion of the pancreas are reconnected. The Whipple procedure is a difficult and demanding operation for both the person undergoing surgery and the surgeon. After the surgery, Jerry will undergo 4 to 6 months of chemotherapy in hopes to destroy any lingering cancers cells that were not removed during surgery.
This deadly disease has impacted millions of lives all over the world, but you never stop to think it could happen to you or your loved ones. This disease found its way into our family and now we will help find it's way out. We will meet this challenge with courage, strength and endurance. We will fight, pray and we will win this battle against cancer.
Please help us in our fight and make a small donation. More importantly, PRAY for our Hero. Pray he is cured and can lead a happy and healthy life and a chance to finally enjoy his retirement.
Thank you,
Annette, Lee, Wendy, Brayden and Lexi.
Organizer
Lee Damn Gartman
Organizer
