Kerry's Stage 4 Cancer Healing Fund
Donation protected
In September of 2013 our family was devastated by the news of my father’s diagnosis of advanced stage 4 esophageal cancer. The diagnosis was so difficult for us to understand because he seemed to be healthy, active and acted as the normal amazing & loving father he has always been. This came about after several days of my father telling my mom he was having difficulty swallowing. After seeing his general practitioner, he was referred to a gastroenterologist who performed an endoscopy of his throat. This procedure did show a mass in his esophagus which was biopsied and to our worst fear came back positive for cancer.
We had no idea how to handle the news; it was unequivocally the most empty we have ever felt in our entire lives. Determined to get the best treatment for her husband of 40 years, my mother remembered a thought she put in the back of her mind several years before. She had seen a commercial for The Cancer Treatment Centers of America and told herself if she ever had to deal with a diagnosis of cancer of a loved one, this is where she would take them. With God’s grace and glory, she was able to get my father in at the closest regional center located in Phoenix, about a 6 hour drive from their home in Murrieta, California. My parents quickly learned the commitment from their entire team at the Cancer Treatment Center of giving the best possible treatment with the intentions of giving my father a long, healthy life.
Through many tests and meetings with several doctors they created a treatment plan for my father and immediately began aggressive radiation and chemotherapy regimen. Within four months of his diagnosis his team determined surgery was the next step. Thereafter my parents consulted with multiple surgeons to discuss the incredibly risky surgical options of rebuilding his esophagus with a small portion of his stomach. We learned that this procedure was the most dangerous surgery to be performed next to open heart surgery. Through my dad’s amazingly positive attitude and determination of living a long life he agreed on this surgery, knowing how risky the outcome could be, including the possibility being on a feeding tube for a year. The outpouring of love, support and prayer from family, friends and social media was overwhelming and we’re so grateful his procedure was successful.
This 16 month journey has been an emotional typhoon for all of us. The unknown outcome of all of this is the most difficult variable to find peace with. My father Kerry and his caregiver wife, Mary Anne stand side-by-side through this journey and still battle this aggressive disease. He is still currently undergoing two assiduous forms of chemotherapy; one taken orally at home and the second through infusion at the Cancer Center in Phoenix. The side effects physically, mentally and emotionally are beyond words with each day being a struggle. Due to the reconstructive surgery and the amount of acid reflux he encounters, the only option for him to sleep is upright in a recliner to tame the burning he feels nightly. The light we all see through the very dark tunnel on this journey is how positive and optimistic my father’s attitude has been. His comical and jovial way of life is truly remarkable considering all he has gone through. The amount of all his treatment is unknown at this point, however the amount of his treatment for 2014 alone was over 2 million dollars. Though my parents do have insurance, this fundraiser is to help offset the costs that are not covered by the insurance plan. His recent PET scan has shown tremendous improvement and indicated a reduction in cancer cells in one lymph node and zero cancer cells in a second. From the bottom of all of our hearts, we greatly appreciate your contributions to my father’s health and well-being.
We had no idea how to handle the news; it was unequivocally the most empty we have ever felt in our entire lives. Determined to get the best treatment for her husband of 40 years, my mother remembered a thought she put in the back of her mind several years before. She had seen a commercial for The Cancer Treatment Centers of America and told herself if she ever had to deal with a diagnosis of cancer of a loved one, this is where she would take them. With God’s grace and glory, she was able to get my father in at the closest regional center located in Phoenix, about a 6 hour drive from their home in Murrieta, California. My parents quickly learned the commitment from their entire team at the Cancer Treatment Center of giving the best possible treatment with the intentions of giving my father a long, healthy life.
Through many tests and meetings with several doctors they created a treatment plan for my father and immediately began aggressive radiation and chemotherapy regimen. Within four months of his diagnosis his team determined surgery was the next step. Thereafter my parents consulted with multiple surgeons to discuss the incredibly risky surgical options of rebuilding his esophagus with a small portion of his stomach. We learned that this procedure was the most dangerous surgery to be performed next to open heart surgery. Through my dad’s amazingly positive attitude and determination of living a long life he agreed on this surgery, knowing how risky the outcome could be, including the possibility being on a feeding tube for a year. The outpouring of love, support and prayer from family, friends and social media was overwhelming and we’re so grateful his procedure was successful.
This 16 month journey has been an emotional typhoon for all of us. The unknown outcome of all of this is the most difficult variable to find peace with. My father Kerry and his caregiver wife, Mary Anne stand side-by-side through this journey and still battle this aggressive disease. He is still currently undergoing two assiduous forms of chemotherapy; one taken orally at home and the second through infusion at the Cancer Center in Phoenix. The side effects physically, mentally and emotionally are beyond words with each day being a struggle. Due to the reconstructive surgery and the amount of acid reflux he encounters, the only option for him to sleep is upright in a recliner to tame the burning he feels nightly. The light we all see through the very dark tunnel on this journey is how positive and optimistic my father’s attitude has been. His comical and jovial way of life is truly remarkable considering all he has gone through. The amount of all his treatment is unknown at this point, however the amount of his treatment for 2014 alone was over 2 million dollars. Though my parents do have insurance, this fundraiser is to help offset the costs that are not covered by the insurance plan. His recent PET scan has shown tremendous improvement and indicated a reduction in cancer cells in one lymph node and zero cancer cells in a second. From the bottom of all of our hearts, we greatly appreciate your contributions to my father’s health and well-being.
Organizer
Michael Glover
Organizer
Denver, CO