Raise Up Russell Baker
Donation protected
On January 5th our world came to a screeching hault. My husband, Russell Baker, was sent to Oak Hill Hospital's ER straight from an appointment with our primary physician after reviewing recent bloodwork. Since October we knew something wasn't right. His face was swelling, voice was hoarse and he was exhausted. Everyone who knows Russell knows how hard he works and how stubborn he can be.
During the Antique Extravaganza in Mt Dora where we are vendors, I noticed the swelling was bad. But Russell just said, "lets just get through the sale and the Holidays and then I will go to the doctor. "
So on January 5th after 9 hours in the ER we were informed he has a large mass. It is called Superior Venicave Syndrome. Basically its a stage 3 mass on one of the main arteries leading to his heart. It is also compressing his vocal cords which explains the hoarse voice. The cancer right now is considered stage 3 non small cell. It is in his upper lung and surrounding lymph nodes.
Like most people we are just average hard working individuals. We basically live week to week. We have a small emergency fund but that will be depleted by the end of January. He cannot go back to work and unfortunately his job was at a small company that offers no benefits, like many places these days. So there is no sick time or PTO.
Everyone who knows us knows how much we have to done to always be of help to anyone. We are the ones who donate, when we can. We take pride in dropping everything at a moments notice to run and help our elderly clients. There have been times Russell has told me " you can't save the world but I know you won't listen".
This man of mine has done things for people even when he was in extreme pain. He has suffered with major spine issues for years. But when we needed extra money or wanted to take a trip to our favorite place, the Smokys, he would do anything to make it happen. I've seen this man pull weeds in Florida's oppressive summertime to earn money. I sit here right now with tears in my eyes thinking back over the last year alone knowing how hard he pushed himself.
So creating this GoFundMe feels foreign to me. I am basically embarrassed to put it all out there like a beggar but we are facing a terrifying journey. We need financial help. The outpouring of love and support already has been humbling to say the least. We have a tremendous amount of friends and family and all the angels in Heaven that have passed before us.
I don't want Russell to be consumed with guilt and worry for not being able to work . I am going to do as much work as I can but I also suffer from a bone on bone knee and have 7 herniated disc in my spine.
Please help us. If you cannot afford to donate I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND but please share this far and wide. Keep us in your prayers.
I will update as we go along on this horrible journey.
We are waiting on approval from Blue Cross for Pet Scan. He will also have to go out of county to Trinity for a better biopsy. Because of the location of the mass, it is a very risky procedure. There wasn't a thoracic surgeon around here willing to attempt it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
May God protect my husband and heal him.
During the Antique Extravaganza in Mt Dora where we are vendors, I noticed the swelling was bad. But Russell just said, "lets just get through the sale and the Holidays and then I will go to the doctor. "
So on January 5th after 9 hours in the ER we were informed he has a large mass. It is called Superior Venicave Syndrome. Basically its a stage 3 mass on one of the main arteries leading to his heart. It is also compressing his vocal cords which explains the hoarse voice. The cancer right now is considered stage 3 non small cell. It is in his upper lung and surrounding lymph nodes.
Like most people we are just average hard working individuals. We basically live week to week. We have a small emergency fund but that will be depleted by the end of January. He cannot go back to work and unfortunately his job was at a small company that offers no benefits, like many places these days. So there is no sick time or PTO.
Everyone who knows us knows how much we have to done to always be of help to anyone. We are the ones who donate, when we can. We take pride in dropping everything at a moments notice to run and help our elderly clients. There have been times Russell has told me " you can't save the world but I know you won't listen".
This man of mine has done things for people even when he was in extreme pain. He has suffered with major spine issues for years. But when we needed extra money or wanted to take a trip to our favorite place, the Smokys, he would do anything to make it happen. I've seen this man pull weeds in Florida's oppressive summertime to earn money. I sit here right now with tears in my eyes thinking back over the last year alone knowing how hard he pushed himself.
So creating this GoFundMe feels foreign to me. I am basically embarrassed to put it all out there like a beggar but we are facing a terrifying journey. We need financial help. The outpouring of love and support already has been humbling to say the least. We have a tremendous amount of friends and family and all the angels in Heaven that have passed before us.
I don't want Russell to be consumed with guilt and worry for not being able to work . I am going to do as much work as I can but I also suffer from a bone on bone knee and have 7 herniated disc in my spine.
Please help us. If you cannot afford to donate I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND but please share this far and wide. Keep us in your prayers.
I will update as we go along on this horrible journey.
We are waiting on approval from Blue Cross for Pet Scan. He will also have to go out of county to Trinity for a better biopsy. Because of the location of the mass, it is a very risky procedure. There wasn't a thoracic surgeon around here willing to attempt it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
May God protect my husband and heal him.
Organizer
Shannon Mac Kay-Baker
Organizer
Spring Hill, FL
