Fighting Cancer: His Last Chance
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Hello,
My name is Jessie Pritchard and I want to thank you for taking time to read my story.
Since I can remember, my dad has always been a hardworking single father to all four of his kids, Jennifer, Shayanne, Joshua and myself. (If you know any of the four of us, you know that is no easy task. ;) ) He never complained and never asked for much in return, just kept the same smile on his face. Even on a bad day. He's the type to give the shirt off his back, yet he's the one working in -10 degree weather with holy shorts, snowboots, and no jacket. Which is why watching him go through this is so hard.
Back in September 2014, my dad started to complain about belly pain. After a five day stay in the hospital, he was sent home with "the flu". However, the pain continued and two days later he walked right back in there to tell them they were missing something. He was right. His body was riddled with tumors.
The next step was a biopsy. The waiting was torture. The results came back: cancer. Melanoma (skin cancer of all things.)
After three more weeks of waiting, we finally got in to see the oncologist. The news was devastating. It was already at stage 4, and progressing fast. He was given 6 months max without treatment. The only drug we could use was one called Yervoy. The chances of it being effective were less than 20%. And chances were right, it did nothing.
On January 14th 2015, after 12 weeks of treatment, we did the PET scan. The numbers of tumors had doubled, and the ones he had in his body before treatment had doubled in size which meant the clock was still ticking.
As you can imagine, I will do anything to prolong his life and keep him comfortable. I have come across an herbalist who has been in business for 50+ years and specializes in patients with cancer/tumors much like my dad's. However, it is not cheap and needs to be started immediately.
We are all very hopeful and positive about the situation, but the hard truth is that cancer is killing my dad. Faster than my heart will allow me to accept. Which brings me to the next issue.
Due to the pain, he had to quit working almost immediately. He has had to transport back and forth for treatments from Craig to Grand Junction and is now in the process of signing over our family home since we can no longer keep up with the payments. We were able to get a small amount of health insurance, but have absolutely no life insurance and no back-up plan for when the day does come that we have to say good-bye.
Which is why I am asking for help. Even if it is just a prayer for my family during these times, every bit helps.
I thank you all for your prayers and support.
Now let's kick some cancer ass! Love you, Dad!
My name is Jessie Pritchard and I want to thank you for taking time to read my story.
Since I can remember, my dad has always been a hardworking single father to all four of his kids, Jennifer, Shayanne, Joshua and myself. (If you know any of the four of us, you know that is no easy task. ;) ) He never complained and never asked for much in return, just kept the same smile on his face. Even on a bad day. He's the type to give the shirt off his back, yet he's the one working in -10 degree weather with holy shorts, snowboots, and no jacket. Which is why watching him go through this is so hard.
Back in September 2014, my dad started to complain about belly pain. After a five day stay in the hospital, he was sent home with "the flu". However, the pain continued and two days later he walked right back in there to tell them they were missing something. He was right. His body was riddled with tumors.
The next step was a biopsy. The waiting was torture. The results came back: cancer. Melanoma (skin cancer of all things.)
After three more weeks of waiting, we finally got in to see the oncologist. The news was devastating. It was already at stage 4, and progressing fast. He was given 6 months max without treatment. The only drug we could use was one called Yervoy. The chances of it being effective were less than 20%. And chances were right, it did nothing.
On January 14th 2015, after 12 weeks of treatment, we did the PET scan. The numbers of tumors had doubled, and the ones he had in his body before treatment had doubled in size which meant the clock was still ticking.
As you can imagine, I will do anything to prolong his life and keep him comfortable. I have come across an herbalist who has been in business for 50+ years and specializes in patients with cancer/tumors much like my dad's. However, it is not cheap and needs to be started immediately.
We are all very hopeful and positive about the situation, but the hard truth is that cancer is killing my dad. Faster than my heart will allow me to accept. Which brings me to the next issue.
Due to the pain, he had to quit working almost immediately. He has had to transport back and forth for treatments from Craig to Grand Junction and is now in the process of signing over our family home since we can no longer keep up with the payments. We were able to get a small amount of health insurance, but have absolutely no life insurance and no back-up plan for when the day does come that we have to say good-bye.
Which is why I am asking for help. Even if it is just a prayer for my family during these times, every bit helps.
I thank you all for your prayers and support.
Now let's kick some cancer ass! Love you, Dad!
Organizer
Jessie Pritchard
Organizer
Clifton, CO