Paul Getz - Cancer

Everything changed the day I went to the ER for a headache; a headache like I've never had in my life.  They took one look at the scan and put me in an ambulance to another hospital to the neuroscience I.C.U. After another image, the neurosurgeon explained that I needed surgery and I would have to be awake so they could be as aggressive as they could with the tumor (4.5 cm). They said I had to stop one of the blood pressure medications due to the risk of bleeding so they would delay surgery for one week. I'd never had any warning - just fine one week and then not. Being awake for surgery is horrible, but hearing the results of the pathology was worse.  I was diagnosed with level 4 GBM brain cancer. There is a treatment plan, radiation, chemotherapy, and clinical trials.  Ok. If this is what I have to do, then I can do it. Then the harsh reality of how to pay for it, and with only my wife’s income.  We still owe thousands for the micro heart attack in March of this year. Our insurance was lost when I had the heart attack and now the bills are mounting with diminishing income. The savings were emptied by the end of July and there are multiple mortgages. For the next 6 weeks, I am going to radiation five days a week and taking chemotherapy every day. Afterwards, I need to rest, but then I take my walk and push through the fatigue because the doctors tell me that a specific diet and continued exercise can help my condition. I’ve always been a strong guy, so I intend to fight this all the way. My daughter will graduate from college this year and I couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishments and dedication. I want to sit in that stadium and wait through that long list of names till I hear my little girl’s name called and then I am going to cheer as loud as I can. So, we come to this community to ask for help. We have worked hard, paid our bills and given charitably, but this burden is huge, physically, emotionally, and financially, Every donation is crucial and appreciated no matter how big or small, thank you for helping us get through the financial burdens so I can fight this disease.