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Hi folks:
I'm Lucas. You've seen me around the internet. I'm a Canadian living in Sydney, Australia, and most of my family live in Canada. I'm a podcaster, a photographer, and a dad. What you might not know is that for the last 12 years, my father has been dealing with a terminal illness.
(please note I may have some of this terminology wrong, as I am not a doctor, and I’m remembering conversations from the last 12 years)
Thanks to an unscreened blood transfusion in the early 1990s, my father contracted several strains of Hepatitis. 12 years ago, I got a phone call that the disease had caused liver damage and was responsible for my father’s recent loss of mobility and blackouts, which we learned were mini-strokes. They said he would be in a wheelchair in 6 months, and a bed by 9, and dead by 12. This didn’t happen, and if you believe my dad, it was due to pure stubbornness. Instead, he’s lived on, though as he gets older, more things have occurred. The mini-strokes continued, he needed a bone marrow transplant, he needed fluids repeatedly drained from his stomach and chest cavity, he’s gone through bouts of blood poisoning, immune-deficiency, osteoporosis and more dizziness, loss of feeling, and mobility. Those last four contributed to his breaking his back last year, as he slipped over at the kitchen counter. The falls have also led to concussions, impaired speech and memory loss. My mother and stepfather have been invaluable, taking him into their home in Winnipeg when he could no longer look after himself. After this long, I thought I was out of worry, and not able to be surprised anymore. I was wrong.
Last week, my father was brought to emergency twice to have fluids drained from his chest and stomach. The doctor has identified that his liver has failed, and without an emergency transplant, he would die within 3 months. I spoke to him Sunday, and while he showed shades of his usual vibrant self, cracking jokes and smiling, I could tell he was in pain, and starting to fade.
My partner and I have discussed it. I’m flying back on Wednesday to spend a week with him while I still can. I’ve arranged to get the time off work, but here’s the trouble. Kimiko and I both work full time, and we do okay, but this $2050 plane ticket arrived without warning at a time when we just did not have the money. Kimiko has put it on her credit card, and though it will take me months to pay her back, I will. I’m going either way, but I’ve had enough people close to me offer to help that this seemed like a good idea. If you have the ability to give, that would be amazing, but please, don’t give any more than you’re able to. Like I said, I’m going either way.
Thank you.
I'm Lucas. You've seen me around the internet. I'm a Canadian living in Sydney, Australia, and most of my family live in Canada. I'm a podcaster, a photographer, and a dad. What you might not know is that for the last 12 years, my father has been dealing with a terminal illness.
(please note I may have some of this terminology wrong, as I am not a doctor, and I’m remembering conversations from the last 12 years)
Thanks to an unscreened blood transfusion in the early 1990s, my father contracted several strains of Hepatitis. 12 years ago, I got a phone call that the disease had caused liver damage and was responsible for my father’s recent loss of mobility and blackouts, which we learned were mini-strokes. They said he would be in a wheelchair in 6 months, and a bed by 9, and dead by 12. This didn’t happen, and if you believe my dad, it was due to pure stubbornness. Instead, he’s lived on, though as he gets older, more things have occurred. The mini-strokes continued, he needed a bone marrow transplant, he needed fluids repeatedly drained from his stomach and chest cavity, he’s gone through bouts of blood poisoning, immune-deficiency, osteoporosis and more dizziness, loss of feeling, and mobility. Those last four contributed to his breaking his back last year, as he slipped over at the kitchen counter. The falls have also led to concussions, impaired speech and memory loss. My mother and stepfather have been invaluable, taking him into their home in Winnipeg when he could no longer look after himself. After this long, I thought I was out of worry, and not able to be surprised anymore. I was wrong.
Last week, my father was brought to emergency twice to have fluids drained from his chest and stomach. The doctor has identified that his liver has failed, and without an emergency transplant, he would die within 3 months. I spoke to him Sunday, and while he showed shades of his usual vibrant self, cracking jokes and smiling, I could tell he was in pain, and starting to fade.
My partner and I have discussed it. I’m flying back on Wednesday to spend a week with him while I still can. I’ve arranged to get the time off work, but here’s the trouble. Kimiko and I both work full time, and we do okay, but this $2050 plane ticket arrived without warning at a time when we just did not have the money. Kimiko has put it on her credit card, and though it will take me months to pay her back, I will. I’m going either way, but I’ve had enough people close to me offer to help that this seemed like a good idea. If you have the ability to give, that would be amazing, but please, don’t give any more than you’re able to. Like I said, I’m going either way.
Thank you.