Jim's Fight for Life
Donation protected
Our dear friends, Jim & Annette Bradley learned just this week that they are facing unexpected months of intensive medical treatment. As Christian brothers and sisters we have a unique way to help “Carry each other’s burdens” as they face uncertain times.
On March 23, 2018 Jim was diagnosed with carcinoma in the base of his tongue over two inches wide with metastasis to nearby lymph nodes. This was after just a few weeks of some headaches, a sudden painful lump in his neck, and problems swallowing. He is currently under the care of a team of specialists who are assessing the treatment regimens available. He has completed a full body PET Scan and results will be forthcoming about the extent of any metastasis below his neck. He had minor surgery March 26 to assist in the diagnosis and will again undergo surgery April 2 to install a chemotherapy port in his chest. Daily radiation is planned for 6 to 7 weeks along with chemotherapy at various intervals.
Monday April 9th has been targeted for the beginning of radiation and chemo therapies. He has been told he will lose up to 80 pounds and it may become necessary for a feeding tube to be installed in his abdomen. Even at this point, before any treatment, he is in significant pain and is on measured amounts of morphine around-the-clock as well as hydrocodone.
As you can imagine, Jim has quite a rocky road of therapy and healing ahead of him. The treatments and the side effects that go along with them dictate that he will have to cut back on much of his work during the next 6 to 8 months. The oncologist has prepared him for a potentially longer period of adjustment as there are simply too many unknowns to be precise at this point. Some of you are aware of Jim’s history of heart disease and heart attack and his success in overcoming of those trials. Now he is facing the battle for his life.
Between the expenses of the planned treatment and reduced capability to work, several of his friends have encouraged this GoFundMe campaign. You can imagine one of the many unrelenting stresses for Jim and Annette will be these questions: how can we go forward financially? With no disability insurance, how can we pay our bills? Can we afford the right therapies? Can we continue paying our insurance premiums? Can we meet the ever-rising deductible? – the list is endless.
Yet this is one area where we ALL can come together and help relieve some of these nagging concerns. With your donation we can let Jim & Annette focus on healing and living – and not waste precious emotional energy on finances.
They have already begun steps to simplify their lives. Jim realizes this will be a defining life moment and will likely change the course of it. Simplicity will be good. So, they are making meaningful changes already: they recognize the dire necessity of drastically cutting living expenses, including the possible sale of of their home in the future. They have already begun to sell several possessions while at the same time assessing future work realities – all with an eye toward a healthier, less stressful, future.
Over the years they have been supportive, welcoming, friends to so many of us in Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Arkansas, and, of course, Memphis. As we all pray for the Father to bless Jim and Annette with healing, each of us also has an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to relieve some of their concern in this most anxious time.
You may support Jim & Annette with cards and well wishes sent directly to them through Facebook messenger.
Thank you for supporting Jim & Annette with your continued prayers over this extended time.
Scott Mills
Winston-Salem, NC
Blair Bryan
Charlotte, NC
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10"
On March 23, 2018 Jim was diagnosed with carcinoma in the base of his tongue over two inches wide with metastasis to nearby lymph nodes. This was after just a few weeks of some headaches, a sudden painful lump in his neck, and problems swallowing. He is currently under the care of a team of specialists who are assessing the treatment regimens available. He has completed a full body PET Scan and results will be forthcoming about the extent of any metastasis below his neck. He had minor surgery March 26 to assist in the diagnosis and will again undergo surgery April 2 to install a chemotherapy port in his chest. Daily radiation is planned for 6 to 7 weeks along with chemotherapy at various intervals.
Monday April 9th has been targeted for the beginning of radiation and chemo therapies. He has been told he will lose up to 80 pounds and it may become necessary for a feeding tube to be installed in his abdomen. Even at this point, before any treatment, he is in significant pain and is on measured amounts of morphine around-the-clock as well as hydrocodone.
As you can imagine, Jim has quite a rocky road of therapy and healing ahead of him. The treatments and the side effects that go along with them dictate that he will have to cut back on much of his work during the next 6 to 8 months. The oncologist has prepared him for a potentially longer period of adjustment as there are simply too many unknowns to be precise at this point. Some of you are aware of Jim’s history of heart disease and heart attack and his success in overcoming of those trials. Now he is facing the battle for his life.
Between the expenses of the planned treatment and reduced capability to work, several of his friends have encouraged this GoFundMe campaign. You can imagine one of the many unrelenting stresses for Jim and Annette will be these questions: how can we go forward financially? With no disability insurance, how can we pay our bills? Can we afford the right therapies? Can we continue paying our insurance premiums? Can we meet the ever-rising deductible? – the list is endless.
Yet this is one area where we ALL can come together and help relieve some of these nagging concerns. With your donation we can let Jim & Annette focus on healing and living – and not waste precious emotional energy on finances.
They have already begun steps to simplify their lives. Jim realizes this will be a defining life moment and will likely change the course of it. Simplicity will be good. So, they are making meaningful changes already: they recognize the dire necessity of drastically cutting living expenses, including the possible sale of of their home in the future. They have already begun to sell several possessions while at the same time assessing future work realities – all with an eye toward a healthier, less stressful, future.
Over the years they have been supportive, welcoming, friends to so many of us in Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Arkansas, and, of course, Memphis. As we all pray for the Father to bless Jim and Annette with healing, each of us also has an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to relieve some of their concern in this most anxious time.
You may support Jim & Annette with cards and well wishes sent directly to them through Facebook messenger.
Thank you for supporting Jim & Annette with your continued prayers over this extended time.
Scott Mills
Winston-Salem, NC
Blair Bryan
Charlotte, NC
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10"
Organizer and beneficiary
Scott Mills
Organizer
Melissa, TX
Jim Bradley
Beneficiary
