Larry the Rapping Brain Patient

My dad has always been a very positive, upbeat and healthy person.  He doesn't know a stranger and will show you a million pictures and videos on his phone, give you a tour or local history lesson as we're driving around town, does 20 push-ups every morning, and eats flax seed on his oatmeal every day.  He is a retired truck driver.  He is my dad.  He pushed me to do well in school and still teaches me lessons every day even though I'm an adult.  He is a hero to my son.  My dad plays tackle football, jumps on the trampoline and fishes with my 7 year old and he's 68 years old!  He gives my son advice and loves him with all his heart.  

He is not only my dad, but he is a loving husband to my mom.  He goes everywhere with my mom and wants to be near her as much as possible.  If he knows it's icy out, he'll drive her to work so that she doesn't have to be in any danger. He opens the car door for her every time they get in the vehicle.  He wrote her a love song on their 20th anniversary.  They go to movies together, go out to eat, plan family cookouts and holiday celebrations and go on trips together to spend time with our family in Florida, West Virginia, or wherever he is welcome.  He buys my mom flowers and cards for every occasion and loves to make people smile.  

He is not only a dad and a husband, but also a big brother to three sisters and two brothers.   He carries bags for his sisters and nieces when they go shopping, delivers bags to their trunks and patiently shops alongside them with ideas about good deals.  He's up for any kind of adventure and loves to be included in family lunches, dinners, or last minute plans of any kind.  If there's a girls night out or a baby shower or bridal shower for women only, he wants to be included.  As a big brother, he gives back to his little brother who needs help with every day life due to some mental health issues to have a smooth day to day life (along with anyone else who needs it at any time).  

He is a helper to our across the street 93 year old neighbor who is a widow and lives alone.  Dad picks her up every Friday to take her to the grocery store (and has for the last 7 years without complaint), to the beauty shop, and he delivers homemade meals my mom cooks for her all the time.

My dad is a true gentleman.   He opens car doors every time my mom or anyone gets in the vehicle.  When he's asked by anyone how he's doing, whether he's out to eat or in line to buy groceries, he replies that he's feeling wonderful (even if he's not).   

What happened this week was the most unexpected news we have ever had.

We all noticed that something was different about him over the past several months, but we couldn't put our finger on it. Dad had been having headaches and dizzy spells, and had been taking increased naps for several weeks.  He explained that he simply needed warmer weather and insisted on driving to Florida to get some sunshine to make him feel better.  My mom reluctantly agreed that he could drive himself 18 hours south to see his sisters.  

On Monday night, I got a surprising and frantic phone call from my mom explaining that something was wrong with my dad and that he was taken to the emergency room to get checked out.  He was admitted to Tampa General Hospital early Tuesday morning where we found out that he had a very large cancerous tumor (Glioblastoma) and was scheduled for a 9 hour brain surgery on Thursday. Shocked and frazzled my mom and I hopped on a plane so that we could be by his side during this time.

We were so scared of all of the side effects of the surgery (paralysis, loss of vision, etc) as well as my dad not being himself.  So we waited in the surgery waiting room for 9 hours.  After a lot of crying, Facebook status updates on his progress, hugs, prayers, and foggy minds, the surgeon walked out to describe what he saw.  He spoke of the side effects and percentages and statistics that were realistic, but scary to hear.  The quiet tension and anticipation was high between our family members going up in the elevator to the ICU to see what exactly state Dad would be in after this major surgery.

We were beyond relieved when we walked into the room shortly afterward to see him sitting up, smiling, and cracking jokes with all of the neuro nurses, doctors and surgeons.  He has earned the nickname of being the patient "rapper"  because he sang a rap song he wrote on the road thirty years ago to every single person taking care of him.  The video shows that his night nurse brought in an audience to show him some love and appreciation for being able to remember the song and perform it the day after his surgery.    

The reason I'm creating this account for my parents is because they have a long road ahead of them.  They have a lot of bills and no savings to fall back on.  My dad loses 65% of his pension from Teamsters this July, so that is an added stress. On top of that, their house is a tri-level, which makes it scary for my mom (since their bedroom is upstairs) and she is completely overwhelmed with how she will take care of them financially as well as emotionally and above all, my dad's medical care.  Their house needs several repairs and organization and she is extremely stressed about how their lives will change with my dad in an altered state of living.  

We are so thankful for his recovery so far.  This type of cancer is rare but treatable.  We remain optimistic, but also know that he is going to go through a lot of radiation and chemotherapy and ups and downs.  He will need lots of care and love.  My parents didn't ask me to create this account, but I'd like to do this for them because they have given so much joy and love to me and to our family and friends over the years. They are good people who are in a very difficult and life altering situation.  

I wasn't even sure how much to hope for on the goal amount because they would be grateful for any kind of help.  I would love to pay it forward to my parents because they deserve a miracle.  Please help if you find it in your heart.  Any amount would be appreciated. 

Sincerely,
Melissa (Larry's daughter)